“I’d rather stay on the streets than give up my dog to go into a hostel.”
Fortunately, Kevin didn’t have to make this agonising choice, because St Martins accepts people with dogs. When he lost his tenancy, they spent 10 months on the streets together which Kevin said would have been so much harder had he been alone.
Kevin said, “If anyone’s on the street with a dog, I’d say keep your dog. It’s company. It can be so lonely out there. People shun you. They look at you like you’re a tramp or something like that, even though you can be clean on the streets.”
Kevin used to go to the Arc to have a shower, which is on Pottergate in Norwich and run by the Salvation Army. He said, “That’s where I used to go with Noodles because they allowed her inside.”
Kevin placed Noodles’ welfare above his own. He had a pop-up water bottle and a food dish and always carried water for her. He even had a blow up bed that she slept on once he had laid out cardboard for himself. He said, “I’d rather suffer myself than her. She means more to me than what I do myself.”
Noodles got a lot of attention from members of the public who gave her dog treats. However, sleeping rough is dangerous and Noodles offered Kevin an element of protection, even though he describes her as a ‘real softie’. He said, “You don’t really sleep on the streets. Subconsciously you’re awake all the time. She was good because if anyone came near me she’d bark. With a dog, people have got second thoughts because they don’t know what she’s like. If someone comes up at night time, she will growl.
“I protect her and she protects me. Even though she wouldn’t hurt no-one.”
The companionship a dog brings is what Kevin values most. He has never married or had children so counts his dog as his family. He said, “It’s so lonely on the streets. It’s not easy being out there.” Noodles was someone for Kevin to talk to, “I know she listens”.
“She brings me so much enjoyment. It’s worth living when you’ve got companionship.”
Kevin and Noodles were offered a room at St Martins’ hostel Bishopbridge House. They now live in one of St Martins’ shared houses in the community which is suitable for dogs as it has an enclosed garden. Noodles is 11 years old and was unwell last year. Street Vets arranged the operation she needed and also micro-chipped her. Kevin and Noodles will be offered support from Street Vets whenever she needs it until the end of her life.
Kevin’s story shows how important the bond with an animal can be. It was vital for Kevin to stay with his dog in order for him to access support to address his homelessness, which is why some of St Martins services accommodates pets.
He turns to Noodles and says, “You’re the perfect friend”.