She wants to die, the homeless man told me

I've been looking for La Perra since Tuesday. The men who hang out at the Picnic on San Jacinto and Martin told me she had died. That the owner had poisoned her. That she was lying in the creek that runs under the Picnic where I first saw her.
Today, a small miracle.
At dark, I drove by again, and stopped. I stepped out a bag of dogfood in my hand. A homeless man came up to me, said "don't you remember me?"
He's one of the men who sleeps under the street, at the creek where La Perra walks. Told me that she'd slept with him last night, that he tried to feed her but she refused to eat.
The owner bred her for puppies and then dumped her, he said, that he is a cruel man. The homeless man's name is Juanillo, and he sleeps on a mattress with some blankets, and yes, I remember him now.
I gave him some food for La Perra, a leash, and my cell number. And some money for him, too, he said that he works as a custodian for the store.
He says that La Perra wants to die.

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Today is Tuesday, May 3rd, and so much has happened. A brain tumor. More yoga and walking. A little less combat. Weight dropping. Spirit rising. Back in the city, where I belong. Looking for good photos to give you, organizing my crazy files. And a new President! So much to say, more than beating up on him -- that will only take us so far. Time to hit the streets, challenge the fears that he represents. Don't be afraid, no tengan miedo. If I survived a massive brain tumor -- big as a grapefruit -- we can survive and transcend this. More tomorrow. One day a week from now on.

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