She lost her home and now her dog was sick. But she found The Pongo Fund.

Shirley said that if it wasn’t for The Pongo Fund she wouldn’t have any food for Addy, her service dog. A six year-old cattle dog mix. And then she sighed. She said she didn’t want me to think she’d let Addy go hungry.

Instead she would go hungry herself. She didn’t mince words.

I’ve heard people say this before. And it stings.

And I think of my Scooby and how his homeless family struggled so hard to keep him fed.

When Shirley found us a few months ago she apologized for needing our help. But she said there was no one else. And we’ve been there for her many times since.

But today things took a turn for the worse. Her sweet Addy wasn’t feeling well. Extra rich food the likely culprit. Shirley was worried. And rightfully so.

The Pongo Fund is a pet food bank. We go the distance time and again to provide all of the help we can. And we are honored that Portland’s best pet supply stores and community experts line up with us daily to help us do what no one else does.

So when Shirley called us we knew we needed extra help. So we called Christine at Green Dog Pet Supply​. And we asked her to please help us help Shirley and Addy.

And right about now Shirley and Addy are going to walk smack dab into the loving arms of Green Dog Pet Supply. She will be greeted like an old friend. One of their most valued customers. Even though she’s never once stepped foot inside that store before.

For those of you that have talked with Christine, you know how it goes. She asks every question possible to help identify a cause and solution. Always, always, always doing what is best for the animals. Today was no different.

She jumped right in and called Shirley immediately. And when Shirley arrives at Green Dog she will receive everything she needs to sooth Addy’s sore tummy.

And the cost? There won’t be any.

Because that’s just the sort of people Michael and Christine are.

But there’s more to the story.

Just a few days ago Shirley lost her home and moved into a shelter. She’ll be there for maybe 90 days. It’s a good shelter and they’ll do all they can for her. That they let Addy live there too is the biggest bonus.

And one more thing.

Shirley’s daughter is graduating from college in a few days.

That’s right. A woman who is homeless and sleeping in a shelter. Yet she still finds a way to go the distance for both her dog and her daughter. This woman is a hero.

Helping Shirley and Addy.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org