Homeless Man’s Birthday Party For His Dog Warms The Hearts Of Many, Leading To A Better Life For Them All
No birthday is complete without a birthday cake with a candle on top. Your one wish per year, how will you use it, what will you wish for? Maybe a new car or a vacation to Malibu, mayhaps a wish for world peace or infinite amounts of money? Well, we know what one man wished for as his dream came true nearly as soon as the candles were blown out.
A homeless man was seen throwing a humble birthday party for his two dogs, singing them ‘Happy Birthday’, giving them hugs, and treating them to cake all whilst sitting on the stairs of a public park, having no other means of shelter. But that would soon change.
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Well here’s something you don’t see every day! A man named Choco sat on some stairs at a local park with two dogs wearing party hats
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
One sunny evening, a man walking through a park in Bucaramanga, Colombia, saw a homeless man throwing what seemed to be a birthday party for his pet dogs. The man named Choco was sitting on stairs alongside his companions Shaggy and Nena, almost as if basking in the late sunshine, however, the party hats sitting atop of the pup’s heads told a different story.
They were celebrating the birthday of Shaggy the pup. Cake and candles were revealed and he started singing ‘Happy Birthday’
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
The bystander decided to capture the event on camera and we’re very glad he did as what happened next is truly heartwarming. Choco gave each of the sleepy pups some pets before unveiling a small cake and candles. He then started singing to his two companions a version of ‘Happy Birthday’. It appeared that it was Shaggy’s birthday and Choco was throwing him a little party.
Two candles were lit on the small cake, the pups carefully observing their owner’s actions, thinking of their wish
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During the song, the two candles were lit up, Choco affectionately petting and clapping to the pups in celebration. Soon the candles were blown out and each dog received a kiss on their tiny puppy cheeks. The man then grabbed a small plastic knife, looking to cut the cake and the pups finally started gaining more interest.
The candles were blown out and a wish was made as the pups received pets and kisses
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
Choco then cut a slice for each of his companions before cutting one for himself, seemingly getting emotional
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
Choco, of course, cut the first pieces to give to his dogs, offering more to each of them from his own plate and it’s hard not to get emotional over the fact that the cake, candles and party hats probably cost the man a lot of money, but he still put in all that effort for his friends to have the celebration they deserved. It seemed that Choco was wiping a few tears himself.
Could someone please cut the onions in the other room? Thanks. Bring some tissues back as well.
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
Once the video was finished, the man came over to ask some questions and it was revealed that they were homeless
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
The man then watched the birthday boy finish up his cake, leaning in to give him a hug. The other puppy received more kisses afterwards, whilst Shaggy did a sneaky sneak and started monching on the rest of the cake. Can’t say I wouldn’t do the same.
After ending the video, the person filming approached Choco to ask about their lives and to offer help. It was revealed that Choco had spent the last several years living on the streets after escaping an abusive home. Despite the hardship, he’d made sure that Shaggy and Nena were always taken care of to the best of his ability.
After running away from an abusive home, Choco found solace in Shaggy and Nena, who’d become his new family
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
The video quickly gained traction, encouraging people to donate food, supplies and money to help get Choco and his pups back on their feet
Image credits: Rótelo, parche comunicativo
Once the video was posted, it quickly went viral, amassing over 440K views. Lots of people decided to come in and help the little family out and get them back on their feet.
The park where the festivities were held has become a gathering spot for other animal lovers, who donated food and other supplies for both Choco and his pups. They also had the man pose for pictures with their own pups for a little bit of fun, but that was just the beginning.
Someone gifted Choco a new phone, on which he started his Instagram, gaining over 180K followers
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
Someone gifted Choco a phone and he was able to start an Instagram account, which now has over 180K followers. On one Instagram Live he opened up about his life, stating that he’s originally from the municipality of El Peñón.
Shaggy was celebrating his 4th birthday and Nena’s 11th birthday would be celebrated in November. He also shared his dream to pursue music and to open an animal shelter. Choco has been selling some shirts, also donating a percentage of the profits to stopping animal abuse.
He’s expressed the wish to pursue music and to open up an animal shelter in the future
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
Wishes do come true, it seems, but the sad truth is – the rare person becomes homeless for any fault of their own
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It seems that whatever he wished for on those candles, they are working their magic and things are finally going better for this man and his beloved pets. But there have been discussions as to why homeless people take on caring for animals when they’re struggling enough to provide for themselves as is. Let’s look into that a little more.
The sad truth is that no one ends up homeless for no reason, some at completely no fault of their own. Family violence, a shortage of affordable housing, physical and/or mental health issues, unemployment or job loss, and drug and alcohol abuse are some of the most common reasons for why people become homeless.
Homelessness is a serious social issue that greatly affects those unfortunate enough to experience it
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Fred Victor, a social service charitable organization, points to the fact that living on the streets can be a very dehumanizing existence, in which “people act like you’re invisible – or worse, they want you to make yourself invisible.”
Isolation, fear and constant uncertainty are factors that would affect the state of being of any person and having a pet there for comfort and a bit of protection can make a world of difference to those that have little to nothing.
Having a pet can greatly increase morale and chances to better your life, though it comes with additional costs
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Having a pet can be a major contributing factor to a person’s survival, not only because of their unconditional love but also because of the responsibility that comes with taking care of them. Many studies have shown that having a pet decreases the use of drugs and alcohol and limits high-risk behavior in the fear of losing the animal companion.
However, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword as Louise Scanlon et al. argue that pet ownership has been suggested to perpetuate homelessness by restricting access to support services, especially housing. It is very common that people are forced to choose between a shelter bed and staying on the street with their pet and, needless to say, most people choose the latter.
The changes to perception and stigma of homelessness are crucial to helping solve the issue and providing help to those that need it most
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We have a long road ahead when it comes to solving or at least bettering the issue, however, it does start with our perception of homelessness and the person suffering. We tend to have a very rigid opinion of what a homeless person is like, how they’re potentially dangerous or unpredictable.
Victoria Lawson, a professor at the University of Washington, stated: “There is a villainization of poor people, and the lack of services available is connected to how people are prioritized. We need to start to think critically about how we understand ‘the other’; seeing homeless people as flawed and inadequate allows us to see ourselves as stable and good.”
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
A little goes a long way and even if you can’t afford to donate money, you can always volunteer your time
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
More homeless shelters, tent cities and housing that could accept pets should be the first steps being taken. Then there are bigger issues to tackle, such as access to mental health care or affordable housing, and the surplus of animals bred to maintain a pet industry.
The division in the public persists, one group showing sympathy for the pet, but not the person, questioning the quality of the pet’s care. And on the other end are those that sympathize with those in unfortunate circumstances, wanting to help but not knowing how.
According to Love to Know, the main thing is to educate yourself on the issue and aim to dispel any stereotypes or stigma regarding homelessness. Donate necessities to local shelters and money if you have it. Otherwise, volunteer your time to help those in need. A little goes a long way.
The debates continue in the public but one thing is for certain – animals save us as much as we save them
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
We hope the best for Choco and his family and we’re sure that there’s a bright future awaiting them
Image credits: joseluis.matos.7906
At the end of the day, the homeless do take care of their pets and have a lot of love to give them; and to some degree, both save each other.
It seems things are going well for Choco and his pups. The man has publicized his phone number as well as his PayPal account for those that wish to help them out. But it seems that they’ve already got something that others can only wish for upon a birthday candle. And in Choco’s own words: “A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won’t be so bad.”
You can watch the full birthday party here
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Let us know what you thought of this story in the comments below and upvote this story to show your support. I wish you a great day!
I couldn’t watch it because I was practicing my onion cutting skills.
Load More Replies... I volunteered at a homeless shelter and one young man I was tutoring for his GED had become homeless because he was gay and was kicked out by his family. This was in the early 90s. He also had a vitiligo and was allergic to the sun and had to wear special clothing—on top of that, he was African American so the cards were already stacked against him. I often think about him. But the point being, most people aren’t homeless by choice.
Nope, actually (almost) everybody can end up on the streets, you lose your job, you can´t pay the rent anymore, eventually you and your partner also split, so you end up on the street, and many people´re ashamed to go to the social offices to ask for help because it´s a kind of stigma to depend on social security like I do due to disabilities from 4 auto immune diseases and osteoporosis plus COPD. My apartment rent is paid for by the social office restrictively by the district office here in SW Germany. I live here with my 2 adopted senior tomcats Gizzy and Thori. The furboys are not GAY LOL, spayed/neutered at their former homers years ago yet... :) 13876177_8...84f21d.jpg 
Amazing love! He gave those two innocent animals. The love, affection, recognition of their birth, their life. Something, he never received. From his own family. He cried out of pain for the love he never received. He cried out of the love he feels and shares with his best friends. His two loving, loyal dogs! I wish more people in the world. Was as humane and loving as this young man.
For our non-spanish speaking friends, this is what the post at the end says: “I got a lot of messages asking me to post the video here it is thanks to all for sharing it and to god first 🐕 🙏 🥰”
Or at least, thats what google translate says. correct me if i’m wrong, multiple language pandas! ❤️
Load More Replies...
The text does not cover it, but the photos suggest that: did he get a home?
As long as I was still able to ride downtown with my bike I often met homeless people with their dogs who were always well fed and looked healthy, often healthier than their humans, the problem is that dogs are not allowed at homeless people´s shelters where those can get food and take a shower or sleep in cold nights, so they stay on the streets with their pups and get frostbites and other injuries/diseases in winter or a heat stroke in summer,. in my opinion that should change, dogs should be allowed at such shelters, what else would they do than sleep next to their humans at night??? Normally those dogs are not pooping in buildings, even though they may´ve grown up on the streets.
I feel very sad none of the news broadcasts or newspapers talked about this there is people who get fame only for taking so random thing and this we get to know it by chance so sad I found this in a European website being Colombian :-\
Everywhere we need to do better by our abused youth, both caught in the "safety net" of child services (i say that loosely and with experience) and missed by it entirely. Abuse doesn't stop at 18 and those who are brought into care (at least in the US) are just turned out when they age out with few skills and fewer solid contacts
WHEN WILL YOU SCAMMERS SHUT THE F**K UP!?
Load More Replies... I couldn’t watch it because I was practicing my onion cutting skills.
Load More Replies... I volunteered at a homeless shelter and one young man I was tutoring for his GED had become homeless because he was gay and was kicked out by his family. This was in the early 90s. He also had a vitiligo and was allergic to the sun and had to wear special clothing—on top of that, he was African American so the cards were already stacked against him. I often think about him. But the point being, most people aren’t homeless by choice.
Nope, actually (almost) everybody can end up on the streets, you lose your job, you can´t pay the rent anymore, eventually you and your partner also split, so you end up on the street, and many people´re ashamed to go to the social offices to ask for help because it´s a kind of stigma to depend on social security like I do due to disabilities from 4 auto immune diseases and osteoporosis plus COPD. My apartment rent is paid for by the social office restrictively by the district office here in SW Germany. I live here with my 2 adopted senior tomcats Gizzy and Thori. The furboys are not GAY LOL, spayed/neutered at their former homers years ago yet... :) 13876177_8...84f21d.jpg
Amazing love! He gave those two innocent animals. The love, affection, recognition of their birth, their life. Something, he never received. From his own family. He cried out of pain for the love he never received. He cried out of the love he feels and shares with his best friends. His two loving, loyal dogs! I wish more people in the world. Was as humane and loving as this young man.
For our non-spanish speaking friends, this is what the post at the end says: “I got a lot of messages asking me to post the video here it is thanks to all for sharing it and to god first 🐕 🙏 🥰”
Or at least, thats what google translate says. correct me if i’m wrong, multiple language pandas! ❤️
Load More Replies... The text does not cover it, but the photos suggest that: did he get a home?
As long as I was still able to ride downtown with my bike I often met homeless people with their dogs who were always well fed and looked healthy, often healthier than their humans, the problem is that dogs are not allowed at homeless people´s shelters where those can get food and take a shower or sleep in cold nights, so they stay on the streets with their pups and get frostbites and other injuries/diseases in winter or a heat stroke in summer,. in my opinion that should change, dogs should be allowed at such shelters, what else would they do than sleep next to their humans at night??? Normally those dogs are not pooping in buildings, even though they may´ve grown up on the streets.
I feel very sad none of the news broadcasts or newspapers talked about this there is people who get fame only for taking so random thing and this we get to know it by chance so sad I found this in a European website being Colombian :-\
Everywhere we need to do better by our abused youth, both caught in the "safety net" of child services (i say that loosely and with experience) and missed by it entirely. Abuse doesn't stop at 18 and those who are brought into care (at least in the US) are just turned out when they age out with few skills and fewer solid contacts
WHEN WILL YOU SCAMMERS SHUT THE F**K UP!?
Load More Replies... 
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