Vincent the Third and his Dad have been a team for several years and this team accepts help with a thank you so sincere that you want to help them again just to hear the thank you a second time. But Vincent the Third is not really Vincent the Third. At least that’s what his Dad said. Vincent, aka Vinnie, had no comment.

On their way to a new town to begin a new life and leave behind some bad memories, this duo reminded me that love is everywhere. But back to Vincent the Third not really being Vincent the Third. What’s up with that?

Smiling a smile so big that there was almost a smile within a smile told me that the answer was going to be a good one. And sure enough, Dad explained that there really was no Vincent the First or Vincent the Second. Of course the question must be asked: so why is he named Vincent the Third?

“That’s easy,” he said, “he’s Vincent the Third because he’s three times more awesome than the average dog.” And what makes Vincent the Third so awesome? “Just look at him,” he said. “Can’t you see it?”

And he was right…I could see it. This little bruiser, about the size of an overinflated football, stared at me with such a complete nonchalance that he could not help but be three times more awesome than the average dog. And the best part? He didn’t even care. No ego. No arrogance. It was just who he was. And he was definitely Awesome times 3.

The conversation continued and I learned that this team fought hard to not hit rock bottom even when those around them did. Lots of bumps along the way took their toll. And some of the bumps that Dad shared with me were some of the same bumps that many of us have hit from time to time in our own lives. Think about that. But sometimes some of us are just luckier than others.

For Dad the bumps all hit about the same time that his family was falling apart around him. And when they lost their home Dad and Vincent the Third hit the road with only the most important things.

Each other.

And now they were on their way to a new home in a new town to start fresh. The best part was that Vincent the Third looked great. He was a neutered male, a smaller mixed breed with likely some Chihuahua, some terrier and some dachshund. He was clean and happy and was clearly getting good care. Even his teeth sparkled and when I commented on that, Dad said he brushed them.

I asked if there was anything they needed and Dad said no, that they were fine. He proudly showed me his neatly filled street pack and it looked as if it had been packed by a Marine. Everything was neat and tidy and packed tight and in its place. Vincent the Third’s food and bowl were right on top. And it was a complete surprise when I saw the Pongo label and realized that Vincent the Third’s food was from The Pongo Fund. And I broke into a big smile when I saw that.

I told Dad that Pongo was my dog and he too was awesome. And that I began The Pongo Fund in his memory. And that I stopped to talk because I was worried about them. And how honored I was to find that Vincent the Third was eating pet food given in memory of my own awesome Pongo.

Dad then stepped forward and gave me a giant hug with Vincent the Third now sandwiched between us. He said “Man, it’s really good to hear somebody say that they’re worried about us. Thank you for that and for the food. You make us feel less alone. Sometimes we forget that people really do care.”

I knew in my heart this was a good man. A few moments later we said our goodbyes and I left. But not for long. Because when Dad told me there was nothing they needed, he answered a little too quickly. And my gut told me differently.

Because when Dad showed off his street pack I noticed that the Pongo food was almost gone. I’d also noticed a few other things that needed some quick attention. So I ran back to my car and grabbed a refill bag of Pongo dog food and some treats and ran back.

Dad was truly shocked that I had returned and he thanked me with that special thank you that was so honest and genuine that I wanted to hear it again and again and again. And then he showed the box of treats to Vincent the Third and said in a really high Sesame Street voice “koo-kies.” We again said our goodbyes and I quickly left as Dad put the food in his pack and started to open the box of treats.

And that means I wasn’t there a few moments later when Dad reached inside that box of koo-kies. Because tucked inside was a gift card to a local retailer that I knew would have the very things that they needed. And I added some of my own money for other incidentals like getting a dirty sleeping bag laundered. Even though Dad didn’t tell me, I knew. I also knew he had a belt held together with duct tape. So was part of his shoes. And his Bible.

His own food bowl was caked with rust, but Vincent the Third’s food bowl was spotless. And when he showed me the special dog toothpaste he uses for Vincent the Third, I noticed that his own toothpaste tube was empty. And that gift card? It had just arrived in the mail a few days earlier from a Pongo donor with a note that said “Please give this to someone that needs it more than I do.”

So I did.

Helping people that are facing tough times by feeding the pets they love. And when we can we do even more. As Mother Teresa said, “Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”

Since we began in late 2009 The Pongo Fund has provided more than 8 million quality pet food meals to people temporarily unable to keep their own family pets fed. Some of those meals went to Vincent the Third.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org

(Note: This look-back story first appeared August 25, 2013. For privacy the picture is not of Vincent the Third, but of another awesome dog that looks similar.)