Mischa Powell said he was sitting on a corner and drinking in New Orleans some years ago when a dog that had been chased by some ne'er-do-wells came up and plopped down beside him.
"I was a cat person until then," he said.
Mr. Powell, an Oregon native and homeless resident of Chattanooga for the past two months, has had dogs on and off since.
On Thursday, he brought Hefe, his spotted Jack Russell/red-nosed pit bull mix for shots and treatment at the monthly Dog Days at Metropolitan Ministries.
It was the second month the ministry has offered the service, which involves limited free pet care by veterinarian Dr. Darlene White for homeless pet owners.
"This is more than just a nice thing to do for homeless people," said Rebecca Whelchel, executive director of Metropolitan Ministries. "We try to saturate them with as many supportive services as we can. Anything else we can do to ensure stability and offer real help is what gives hope."
The service, offered on the first Thursday in every month, provides free rabies vaccinations, flea pills, a collapsible bowl and emergency water.
Dr. White, who is Ms. Whelchel's veterinarian, said the two ran into each other at a ministry fair at First Presbyterian Church. One thing led to another, and Dog Days was born.
"I wanted to go on an out-of-town mission trip," said Dr. White of Wolftever Pet Hospital, "but this is a real good opportunity. "I'm glad we could work it out."
The veterinarian began funding the care herself but has since received a $400 grant from an organization called Pets of the Homeless, which she is using to buy rabies vaccine and flea medicine.
Dr. White said she already has seen a change in Mr. Powell's dog and the dog of his friend Michael Vineyard, Loki, both of which had potentially deadly sarcoptic mange.
"They were (two) of the most pitiful ones," she said of the dogs on their first visit last month. "Now, they're 100 percent better."
Ms. Whelchel said many homeless people want to have pets as companions but won't be accepted in shelters with their animals. In addition, she said, if the pet owners find themselves in any legal trouble, the pet is likely to be confiscated and perhaps destroyed if it is not vaccinated and has tags.
She said Dog Days has served only dogs so far, but it is open to any animals.
Mr. Powell, who admits to a problem with depression, is glad for the help. His dog was one of 12 to be treated in just over an hour and a half Thursday.
"When you're moving by yourself," he said, with a dog, "you don't feel like you're so alone."
GET INVOLVED
The next Dog Days at Metropolitan Ministries is June 3. For information, call the ministry at 624-9654.