August 1 – 31, 1996
CREATING A FAMILY
When I first came to America from Lithuania, I was shocked to see so many homeless people in such a rich country. This image of America was completely different from what I imagined my new homeland would be.
In Santa Monica, California, where I first lived, homeless people seemed to be everywhere, either huddled in the streets and under bridges or camped along the beaches. And yet, all around them were big expensive houses.
I began to talk to many of them and to learn about their lives. I wanted to help them in some way, but I had no money, only my camera. Over the next few years, I photographed them everywhere I went. I hoped that my photographs would help to build a bridge of understanding between the homeless and a society that often seems to ignore them. Or worse, to see them in a negative light.
In my present photo collection, I explore the world of the homeless with their closest companions – their animal friends. By caring for their pets and sharing their lives with them, the subjects of my photographs are really trying to create families and bonds of responsibility, depsite the hardships they face living on the streets. To me, this is a positive aspect of the homeless that is rarely seen. Through my photographs, I try to reveal the loving, caring relationships that I see.
Many homeless people tell me that they have no friends and are even afraid to trust each other. They have lost confidence in the themselves and feel isolated and rejected. But their pets give them a lot of joy and love, and help ease their loneliness and depression. One man told me that finding a pup helped bring him back to life and saved him from suicide. Now, he said, he could do things together with his dog and felt as though he had a family and a sense of purpose in life. Sometimes, the homeless choose to stay on the streets in terrible conditions because shelters won’t allow them to bring in their pets.
What I have learned from being with many homeless individuals is that they want what you and I want – to live in a real home, to have a family and a decent job… they’re not any different from us.
David, a 31 year old, has been on the streets 13 years.
“Bursess is my baby and best friend in the world.”
Bear camps at Santa Monica Beach in his trailer. His car broke.
“I am not a homeless person; I am an unfortunate person, like the rest of the homeless. I do have hope for the near future. But I live day by day. Just now, you were a witness that my neighbor, a homeless guy, daily threatens to kill me. I don’t have any fear of dying. More I worry about my buddies; my dog, Blue Eye, and my cat, Baby Boy. To feed them is my first responsibility and love.”
Susan has been on the streets more than a year.
“My dogs, Ajax and Jake, drag me out of depression. They are very loyal and playful. I spoil them, because I share all my food with them. With them, I can sleep peacefully. They taught me to love.”
Vicki has lived on the streets of San Francisco for seven years.
“My cat, Tangerine, is a great companion and keeps me company. She also helps me collect more money.”
Dan became blind when strangers attacked him in the middle of the night.
“Right now my dog always protects me.”
David has been on the streets for 13 years. He keeps a three-year-old dog, named Magic, “because she gives me a reason to live.”
“Before I was very suicidal. Since I got a dog, I realize that being suicidal was cowardly. Today, I don’t feel lonely anymore. Responsibility for her and myself is my first priority. Magic is a real and true member of my family.”
In Pioneer Square, Portland.
“My dog reminds me of the child I lost when I got divorced.”
Veronica with her puppy, Kira.
“She was dying and helpless. I didn’t want to see how painful it was. And I am proud that I kept her. She is getting stronger and bigger. I don’t want to leave her and I feel responsibility like a mom. She is my baby.”
Carl sleeping with 12-year-old Blacky, in San Fancisco.
“My dog followed me when he was a puppy. I kept him as a companion and we are the closest friends.”
Mary with one-year-old Winkee.
“She is like my little kid, she is always there for me.”
Mark with his two seven-year-old dogs, Spike and Sissy. He currently camps in a car.
“These dogs are my family. We share the adventures of living together. They live in the present moment and help me to focus on what’s important in life. And their humor pulls me out from my daily worries.”
Pup with Skunken Whiskey, the kitten, and her friend, Jen.
“It hurts when people express passion for our pets, but not for us.”
“We feel much safer with dogs. For me, my dogs, Klaus and Nika, are my kids. the earth is so over-populated, I don’t want to have my own kids.”
Dave has been homeless for 14 years. He chooses to live on the street and keeps two dogs, Cochinoc and Tanita.
“My dogs are my closest friends.”
Big Foot and Angel have been on the streets for fourteen years.
“For us, our dogs, George-Pitch and Sequoya G, are our children. We take great responsibility for them. In return, they give us love and companionship, and they watch our bags. In the past, we were often atatcked by mean people. Now our dogs keep them away.”
Stuart lives in a school bus with Bort, a nine-year-old dog.
“My dog is my best, irreplaceable friend. I just love him.”
David with Blacky.
“He keeps me moving from one place to another. I am happy to have such a nice and protective dog. He is my family.”
Tumbleweed with seven-month-old dog, Runningate.
“I don’t want to see any suffering animal, especially on the street. I always liked dogs. Runningate’s my best friend. He protects me and keeps me warm in the sleeping bag at night.”
Christy and her eight-month-old dog, named Fucking Dog, support each other.
“Whatever I have, money or not, first I keep an eye on him.”
Lorie with nine-month-old Candy.
“He keeps my belongings safe and proects me from strangers at night. We are close friends and I won’t leave him alone.”
Dan with Boss.
“My friend went to jail. I didn’t want to see his dog in the pound, so I adopted him. He’s a good companion and guard dog. He eats what I eat. In our first three weeks together, he gained 10 pounds. I like being responsible for him.”
J.R. Booth with Shadow, six-years-old.
“I prefer to stay on the street rather than in the shelters because of my dog. I get along better with dogs than people and I trust them more.”
Anonymous person with a 12-year-old dog named Mister Rabbit. He said he was not in the mood to talk.
Formerly homeless, Joe Michael Jordan with baby Patrick on a bicycle. As a musician, he made enough money to move into a house.
