Fido and Fluffy: Saving them from the Economic Crunch

The LA Times is running a series called On The Edge, covering the stories of people across the country struggling with the economic downturn.

Today's piece discussed pet food banks that are springing up in different areas to help support struggling pet owners by saving them from choosing between feeding themselves or feeding their furry family members.

In the article, was the following snippet about an out-of-work construction manager named Eric Gateley:

Eric Gateley and Bella, a 2-year-old boxer, waited quietly until a
volunteer called out his name. Gateley, 40, lost his job as a construction
manager in June and has been living in a motel with his wife and 9-year-old son
since January. Relatives in Texas have been sending money to help them cover the
bills.He has been trying to make his son believe that their motel stay is an
adventure. They swim in the motel's pool. They get McDonald's and curl up in
front of the TV on the weekends for movie marathons."My wife and I, we have to
put on a front for our son," Gateley said.

There's a certain relief in coming for free dog food. "With Bella," Gateley
said, nodding to the caramel-colored dog at his feet, "I don't have to fake
it."

I found this last comment of Gateley's quite profound. Not because Bella lacks the capacity to know that something is wrong--no doubt she does and probably has for a while--but rather because that is infact what a dog's love of her owner is--unconditional.