3-Dog

Here's something I didn't expect.  I got an email this morning from Project Understanding, my old partner in the "Voices of the Homeless" performance, for which I am making this documentary.  The email contained a copy of a police report stating that Mike (that is, 3-Dog's Mike), one of the storytellers in "Voices of the Homeless," had been jumped, beaten and stabbed by three punks last week.  I was already in tears before I got to the end of the report where it also stated that "Michael" was in stable condition.

Since I am a jazz singer with a day job, I had to wait until my lunch hour to get to the hospital.  As I walked down the hall I prepared for the worst.  Outside of 3-Dog's room, I had to put on gloves and a hospital gown.  Now I am really preparing myself.

And then I walked in.

But instead of seeing my friend all bandaged up with tubes coming out of his mouth, I saw 3-Dog sitting up in bed, so clean and coherent I could not believe my eyes.  I was amazed.  In fact, 3-Dog was amazed because, as he told me, he SHOULD be in a coma right now.  He showed me the staples on top of his head.  He showed me the bandages at his sides where his lungs were injured.  But he's not in a coma and he's still breathing and he looks so good I know there is a fair God out there somewhere.

And THIS is why I'm making "Voices of the Homeless."  3-Dog is an amazing man.  He is not amazing because he is homeless, or bighearted, or a pain in the butt, or funny.  It's not because he can play an instrument or sing, because he can't.  3-Dog represents everything that is courageous and pissy in the world.  After today, I realized you can NOT keep a guy like 3-Dog down.  He even put one of his attackers in the hospital!

We've got to get these guys off the streets.  Somehow we have to get them to safety.  3-Dog said it is worse out there than ever now.  A homeless woman is definitely not safe.  He was jumped by three stupid punks who were looking to beat up a homeless man.  Boy, did they ever pick the wrong one.

I am making this documentary because people like 3-Dog helped me.  The wisdom, determination, and courage that is out there, and the kindness, is something we can all learn from.  Well, I'm learning still.


Oh and here's the best part . . . those three punks?  THEY GOT CAUGHT!  Yes!!