“It’s hard, you know sleeping outside, getting eaten up by ants, spiders, getting stung by a bee,” said Samuel Haymon
SAN ANTONIO — Homelessness can happen to anyone. According to a survey from the personal finance website Bankrate, nearly a third of U.S. workers say they are living paycheck to paycheck and have no money for savings after accounting for monthly bills.
19-year-old Samuel Haymon described how he’s been feeling the last few weeks after losing his job and becoming homeless with his dog Mordex.
“Hopeless, helpless,” said Haymon.
Harmon lived in an apartment with his mother, stepfather and brother, and was the only one working. Unable to pay rent, the family was evicted.
He then had to figure out how to care for Mordex, who he has raised since he was a puppy. Samuel says he went door to door asking for help.
“I asked people if someone can buy and food and stuff, because he was a main priority for me to take care of.”
Haymon’s mother moved into a shelter in Dallas. He and his brother, meanwhile, went to Haven for Hope. Both were offered beds, he said, but Mordex couldn’t come with him.
So Haymon chose to stay on the streets with Mordex.
“I took care of him. Only me, no one else. So we grew up together,” he said. “He’s my son.”
Haymon said he found himself sleeping on a bench at the Wonderland of the Americas Mall.
“It’s hard, you know, sleeping outside getting eaten up by ants, spiders, getting stung by a bee.”
A Haven for Hope representative said Monday that the organization had no record of Haymon and his brother coming to the shelter, adding there’s an application process for guests to complete if they have pets.
“If he came after hours, we would have explained that if he had a place for the dog to go for the night, we could shelter him and work on getting his dog approved the following day,” Haven for Hope said. “This is our standard procedure.”
“Haven would have worked with him if given a chance,” the shelter added. “We do have room for him, his brother, and his dog if they want to shelter at Haven.”
Offering help
A few workers at a nearby health clinic saw Samuel and Mordex, and wanted to help them. Their story was posted on Facebook.
That’s where Candida Campos with Bee Pawsitive Husky Rescue came across the post and wanted to help.
“I’ve had friends and I’ve been in spots that I’ve needed help myself, and I had that guardian angel helping me,” said Campos.
