Look at those eyes. See the lines? The creases? Those are from smiling. Smiling through the sadness. The hardest kind of smile there is. Because losing a job is nothing to smile about. But losing a job during the holidays is worse. Because hurting during the holidays just seems like a more painful kind of hurt.

Oh, and one more thing. Four, actually. As in, four dogs, including a 125 pound mastiff named Harley. And there’s Bella the Schnoodle and Roscoe the Hound and Dakota the Sheppie.

Welcome to Kevin’s world. For the last several days since the food bags ran dry everyone shared the same small dinner. When I asked Kevin about that he said it did not feel good at all. But he didn’t say it to invite sympathy. And he didn’t say it to focus on his own hunger. And he didn’t say it with anger or resentment. Actually, he didn’t complain about it at all. Not a single word.

Instead, he said it in a way that told me he and his wife were willing to eat less for as long as they needed to. But the real pain, the pain that hurt more than the empty stomach, was the pain he felt knowing he was letting his dogs down. Because they counted on him. And now they were going hungry.

This four dog family was filled with love. But right now love was not enough. That’s what bothered him the most. That his dogs were hungry. And being just before Thanksgiving made it sting a bit more.

He called The Pongo Fund without really knowing who we were or what we did. He said another group referred him but he was prepared for us to say no, that we could not help. Because, he said, that’s what the other groups were telling him.

Our Emergency Kibble Response Team is a small team specially assembled to get food where it’s needed as quickly as possible. Although we do not look forward to these moments, when the calls come in we’re ready.

We met Kevin ASAP and loaded him up with enough food and treats to feed all his dogs for the next few weeks. And he was shocked to learn he could come back and get more help at our next pet food bank too.

We also made sure he had Thanksgiving plans that would provide his family with plenty of food. Because if they didn’t we would have taken care of that too, thanks to a special group of our donors that send funds for these very moments. When people need food too.

Kevin is soft spoken. He smiles with his eyes more than his mouth. Thus the wrinkles. And he pets his dog Dakota with the most gentle hands imaginable. But it was his voice. I wish you could have heard him talk to Dakota. He spoke with such tenderness.

I saw and heard that tenderness first-hand when I wanted Dakota to look out the window so I could take his photo. But Dakota decided he wanted to look out the window on the other side of the truck. So I asked Kevin to help.

But instead of pulling Dakota roughly to the window, or raising his voice to get Dakota’s attention, Kevin softly called his name.

He said “Dakota, how about a picture? Hey Dakota, come on over here buddy. It’s ok. Hey sweetie, come say hi.”

And with that, Dakota was at the window. Still focused on several other things in this unfamiliar moment. But he was brave enough to go against his instinct because his Dad asked him too. And because his Dad was close by to rub the back of his neck.

All Kevin wanted was the chance to get his dogs some help. And when he found The Pongo Fund he got everything he hoped for. He said he did not expect to get such good food or so much of it. But he was so very happy that he did.

And that’s what made his eyes sparkle just a bit more. Because he was thankful.

He said those very words. Thankful. But his eyes…his eyes said it even more clearly. And so did Dakota’s.

Giving a chance to animals that might not have a chance and giving hope to families who have little else to be hopeful for. Because sometimes a simple bowl of kibble is the force that both keeps a family together and saves the lives of the animals they love.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org

***The Pongo Fund is Oregon’s Pet Food Bank. Because hungry people have hungry pets. Our award winning and volunteer driven group helps more animals than any other group in Oregon by providing high quality food and vital veterinary care for the family pets of anyone in honest need, keeping them safe, healthy and out of the shelters. 90,000 animals helped; 9,000,000 healthy meals provided. We would be honored if you SHARE this post so that others will also know of our good work***

(This story reposted by special request)