Honey Book Ranks #1 Best Seller...Here Comes #2 #Top Rated Amazon Label/Picks

 Bundle Up for Fall with Honey & Companion Books

  By Cal Orey

Update: Six more days to enter the Goodreads Giveaway.  [Giveaway Link on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/446428-the-healing-powers-of-honey-revised-and-updated-a-complete-guide-to-na ]

Plus, tomorrow I have a sweet surprise for early birds who want to catch the buzz before August 25 debut.

The Healing Powers of Honey: The Healthy & Green Choice to Sweeten Packed with Immune-Boosting Antioxidants

Past: Naturopathy - Walmart.com The Healing Powers of Honey has been graced with the Bestseller Banner 1 bestseller in some categories on Amazon

The Healing Powers of Honey (Healing Powers Series) Kindle Edition

by Cal Orey  (Author)  Format: Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars

Part of: Healing Powers (7 Books)

#1 Best Seller in Antioxidants & Phytochemicals

HONEY CURES FROM YOUR KITCHEN

Discover Honey’s Amazing Bee-Healthy Powers

Did you know?... Known as Mother Nature’s “nectar of the gods,” honey was praised for its healing powers as far back as 5,000 years ago by Egyptians.

Drawing on the 21^st century honey buzz, health author Cal Orey reveals enlightening honey home remedies, straight from the book The Healing Powers of Honey: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Remarkable Nectar! (Kensington)

Here are 10 common health ailments from A to Z and amazing at-home honey cures. These are tried-and-true folk remedies based on scientific studies, real-life stories, medical doctors, researchers, and beekeepers. But caution, consult your health-care practitioner before putting to work any honey cure.

1 ALLERGIES (Stop seasonal misery): Dealing with annoying sneezing, a runny nose, and coughing is no picnic, thanks to seasonal pollen. But honey may come to your rescue.

What Honey Rx to Use:  Try eating a tablespoon of locally produced honey. Proponents of honey tell me that your immune system will get used to the local pollen in it (it should be within a 50-mile radius from where you live).

Why You’ll Bee Happy:  By taking the honey cure, you may lose your allergy symptoms. It’s worth the effort and is less pricey than a visit to the doctor or an allergist. Honey may enhance the immune system to build up a better arsenal against airborne allergens—and help you breathe easier. Honeycomb may line the entire breathing tract.

2 ANXIETY (Beat the jitters monster): When anxiety hits (often worsened by stress) you know it like when an earthquake strikes. Anxiety can wreak havoc on your nervous system and up your odds of experiencing heart disease, stress eating, and other health problems.

What Honey Rx to Use: If you’re under pressure and feeling high anxiety or sense a stressful event is in the works, make a cup of chamomile tea. Put in 1 teaspoon of your favorite honey. Repeat twice a day as needed.

Why You’ll Bee Happy:  Honey—all hundreds of varietals—is touted by folk medicine healers for its calming effects. The natural superfood can help sooth your nerves rather than put you in higher anxiety mode. The relief if provides may be due to its multiple vitamin B content—anti-stress vitamins.

3  COUGH (Outfox irritating hacking):  A cough is another unwelcome visitor and can make you feel terrible. Let’s face it, cough medicine can be pricey, doesn’t taste good, and may or may not do its job.

What Honey Rx to Use:  A teaspoon of buckwheat honey is recommended before bed. Or you can make syrup of 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Repeat each remedy as needed.

Why You’ll Bee Happy:  A group of Penn State College of Medicine researchers discovered that honey may be the cure. The findings showed that buckwheat honey at bedtime was more powerful for curing a cough in children than a cough suppressant found in over-the-counter medications. It is believed that honey will act as a sedative to the nervous system.

4 ENERGY DRAIN (Beat low energy): Getting your cough under control is a good thing, but then what if your energy plummets?  Liquid gold may be the answer again.

What Honey Rx to Use: Each morning include a teaspoon of bee pollen in your breakfast. Go ahead and take it solo. Or try The Honey Association’s Energy Drink recipe:  ¼ pint orange juice, ¼ pint natural yogurt, 2 tablespoons clear honey. Place all the ingredients in a liquidizer and blend until smooth. Pour into two tall glasses. Serves two people.

Why You’ll Bee Happy: Honey is a source of natural unrefined sugars and carbohydrates, which are easily absorbed by the body. That means, you’ll get a quick energy boost with long-lasting effects. Athletes include it in their daily diets. It was even used by runners at the Olympic Games in ancient Greece.

5 HEADACHE (Bye-bye, pain): Fatigue and headaches are not to be taken with a grain of salt, because it can hurt oh, so bad. There are different types of headaches, and some kinds may benefit from the honey bee’s gift.

What Honey Rx to Use:  One cup of tea with 1 teaspoon of honey (the darker the varietal the better) is the remedy. Repeat as needed. Also, drink plenty of water and relax.

Why You’ll Bee Happy:  “The way honey might work for tension headaches,” says New York Headache Center’s Alex Mauskop, M.D., “is by treating hypoglycemia, which can cause tension and migraines.” He adds that some antioxidants can help prevent headaches, as can magnesium and vitamin B. So turning to antioxidant-rich honey may be a sweet remedy.

6 INSOMNIA  (Find sweet dreams): Getting rid of a headache is a challenge, but not getting adequate shut-eye can have long-term effects, too.

What Rx to Use: Take 1 or 2 teaspoons of your favorite honey, especially before going to bed. Try sipping a cup of 2 percent low-fat milk with a dash of cinnamon. The tryptophan in milk will help to calm you.

Why You’ll Bee Happy:  It’s a magic trick, according to The Honey Revolution author Ron Fessenden, M.D., providing needed glycogen to the liver so the brain doesn’t go in search of extra fuel in the earl A.M. hours when you should be in Dreamland. “Consuming honey before bedtime also reduces the release of  adrenaline, a catecholamine that raises blood pressure and heart rate,” adds the honey guru.

7 SORE THROAT (Take the sting away): Not sleeping is miserable, but a sore throat can drag you down, too, where don’t feel like walking or talking. Honey has been used as a home for centuries to help sooth one of the symptoms associated with a common cold—namely, a killer sore throat.

What Honey Rx to Use:  For relief of symptoms, take a spoonful of your buckwheat honey, as often as you need, to relieve irritation. In between, sip a cup of tea with honey. Also, try pure honeycomb and honey sticks. Don’t forget all-natural honey-lemon lozenges, which also coat the throat for quick relief.

Why You’ll Bee Happy: One, honey will coat your sore throat, the symptom of the cause. Two, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties will help heal the culprit causing your pain.

8 WAIST WHITTLER (Blast belly fat): Twitches to tummy bulge… if you have a bulging tummy, you’d probably consider a sore throat is easier to get rid of. But wait; there are things you can do to get a flat tummy.

What Honey Rx to Use:  Both morning and night, drink an 8-ounce glass or mug of tea (dandelion or parsley boasts diuretic effects), with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Team this potion with grazing and watch your fat and sugar intake.

Why You’ll Bee Happy: Honey and apple cider vinegar contain the bloat-busting mineral potassium. Also, turning to honey will help you to eat fewer sugary treats and enjoy a flatter stomach.

9 WOUNDS (Heal cuts and scrapes):  Once you get a flat stomach, what do you do if you stub your toe or cut your finger? Honey is believed by scientists, such as Dr. Peter Molan to be one of nature’s most powerful wound dressings, which really works.

What Honey Rx to Use: Try manuka honey, available in many forms. It’s available online in lotions, creams, and bandages. Apply as directed.

Why You’ll Bee Happy: Honey can numb pain. It is osmotic and attracts water. Since bacteria are mostly made of water, they are sucked dry in the presence of honey. Bacteria are further inhibited by honey because the golden liquid produces hydrogen peroxide and is acidic (like vinegar). Honey activates the immune response by providing glucose for the white blood cells. It speeds up the healing process.

          So go ahead and use the type of honey advised or your own preference; all-natural, raw honey, dark varietals are recommended for best results. (Warning: To avoid infant botulism, do not fee honey to a baby who is younger than one year.) 

The Healing Powers of Honey, 2 is Written with a Heart

 By Cal Orey

So, why exactly is the revised and updated second edition of The Healing Powers of Honey a powerful book that changes everything? On August 25, 2026 the new release (pre-order) will arrive on bookshelves and your doorstep! [Amazon: See formats/editions link]

HONEY 2 has a beating heart... Mine. 

I share pulse-pounding adventure stories and sobering findings about humans and honeybees that will leave you on the edge of your seat and breathless...

This is the dialogue in The Ghost Writer film… ghostwriter (played by Ewan McGregor)

The dialogue captures the negotiation where the writer tells the client that the current draft is too rigid and needs to be rewritten with genuine narrative heart:

Ghostwriter: "It’s competent. But it reads like it was written by a committee. It’s stiff."

Adam Lang: "It’s a political memoir. People don’t want poetry; they want the facts. They want to know what happened."

Ghostwriter: "They want to feel what happened. If you want a white paper, hire an academic. If you want a book people will actually read, it needs a pulse. Right now, it’s missing a heart."

Adam Lang: "And you’re offering to put it in?"

Ghostwriter: "I’m saying I can make it sound like you. A human being, not a press release."

[Giveaway Link on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/446428-the-healing-powers-of-honey-revised-and-updated-a-complete-guide-to-na ] 

A Perfect Storm for High Anxiety... Heat Wave! Poor Air! Brownout!

 News | Jul 26, 2025 Tahoe Daily Tribune

Cal Orey, M.A.

Picture this. It’s a hot Tahoe summer day and you’re in bed, waking up to a world without the internet, electricity, or even basic climate control…After you brew your morning coffee, you find your computer offline. Suddenly, the stereo falls silent, the fish tank’s bubbles cease, and the cable box goes dark. A neighbor mentions a potential power restoration time of 7:30 p.m. Meanwhile, a heatwave intensifies, pushing temperatures into the mid-high 80s compounded by poor air quality. Without fans or air purifiers, your senior Australian Shepherd pants heavily, and your fluffy cat appears distressed. This scenario quickly escalates into a perfect storm for high anxiety. Sound familiar? If so, welcome to a brownout which like a blackout is a result from a drop in electrical supply.

Yeah, the combo of heat, poor air quality, power outage, and the well-being of pets—creates a perfect storm for high anxiety. So, here’s a checklist of how to deal with a stressful scenario—like the one described, focusing on chill out tips.

For Your Body:

Your mission is to keep you and your family safe and out of harm’s way. Stay calm and face the challenges.

Stay Informed (If Possible): While the power is out, try to find alternative ways to get info. For a while, I had access to my smart phone.  If you have a battery-powered radio or a car, tune into local news or emergency broadcasts for updates on the situation.

Cool Down: Go ahead–move to the coolest part of your home. Close blinds to block sunlight. Use any available fans (battery-operated) to circulate air. Consider using ice packs (this works!) or cool cloths on your body (neck and face) to chillax.

Air Quality: If the air quality is poor, close windows. Stay hydrated. Use the portable fans.

Pet Care: Don’t ignore your pets’ comfort. Ensure they have access to fresh water. If your dog is panting excessively, try to cool them down with cool water on their fur and placing them in a cool area. For cats, provide a cool, shaded space.

Personal Needs: Focus on your own well-being. Practice deep breathing exercises to calm your nerves. If you have any ready-to-drink teas use them…

For Your Mind:

Since I’ve experienced parts of this situation before (not all three challenges at once!), it’s wise to plan for future events.

Medication Management: Refills: As I’ve experienced during a wildfire, getting a prescription refilled pronto can be difficult. Always request refills well in advance of needing them.

Emergency Kit: Include a battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, a portable phone charger (keep computer and phone charged), car with a full tank of gas, and non-perishable food and water. Have N95 masks. Have food, water, a leash and/or crate(s) for your pets.

Backup Cooling: Consider investing in a battery-powered air conditioner or fan.

Deep Breathing: Practice deep breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth.

Positive Self-Talk: Remind yourself that the stress response is temporary and that you will get through it.  

By mid-afternoon, I drove to a hotel—some of South Shore still had power. But fleeing with pets presents other stressors. So, I headed back home ready to divide the family… and surprisingly, the power was back on! Note to Self: Consider getting a generator for future brownouts and blackouts this summer and year-round.

UPDATE: August 7, 2026: It is in the eighties, very warm in the sierras. Air quality is poor. The Ganns Fire is about 100 miles away, 40% contained. Unhealthy air is forecasted for Monday (but AccuWeather can be wrong and Air.Now is more reliable). I have purchased portable fans for comfort, peace of mind, and to keep the energy bill down. Yes, stocked up on water, dry food, pet food. Changed the air filters for air purifiers (4). Rain and lightning are in store so locals are on alert. The bottom line: The more prepared you are the more calm you will be whatever nature does.

More stories like this in the NEW edition The Healing Powers of Honey (August 25, 2026). Pre-order today and secure a copy (or two).  [Giveaway Link on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/446428-the-healing-powers-of-honey-revised-and-updated-a-complete-guide-to-na ]

A Tale That Didn't Make the Cut in the Revised Honey Book

By Cal Orey

It was a late fall afternoon on December 9, 2024, when my big chill orange tabby Gatsby pawed at the door in the hallway. Actually, in hindsight he'd been visiting his new cat space for two days. Then, I reached for the cell phone as it vibrated on the chair. A sobering ShakeAlert notification blared ominously: an earthquake was coming!

Against the new earthquake safety rules, I instinctively bolted toward the dining room where my Hemingway-type wooden table stood strong like a friendly fortress against nature’s wrath. I dropped to the floor and covered my head with my arms, heart pounding like listening to a Phil Collins' drum solo. Then, the shaking started—strong rolling waves. Motion sickness hit. (I took a seasick pill before boarding a ferry to Catalina.)  Once the tremor stopped it felt safe to log onto my computer. I was greeted with the epicenter and magnitude: A 5.8 at Yerington, Nevada; and reports were rolling in that the shallow quake had been felt in both Nevada and Northern California.

I naturally went to my go-to nature's chill pill. I quickly brewed a cup of chamomile drizzled with a bit of lavender honey. (Note to self: Drink bottled iced tea after a shaker because of potential aftershocks.) Calmer, though, thanks to the feel-good nature's Rx the queasiness stopped. Motto: If you want a quake warning, ask your cat! And honey is the best remedy for seasickness and calming the nerves. If you're looking for more adventure (and nature's remedies), you'll find it in The Healing Powers of Honey, Revised & Updated. A Bonus: The sensitive cat survived the earthquake; and has been graced with a new title: My Seismic Sentry.

 [Giveaway Link on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/446428-the-healing-powers-of-honey-revised-and-updated-a-complete-guide-to-na ]

Author Posted Heatwave Story...and Now the Precautions Will Be Used

 By Cal OrEY, M.A.

UPDATE: On Thursday, July 30, 2026 i posted this story. Other states in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest are coping with the extreme heat--and now Northern California including Tahoe will likely get into the rare 90s. While we are spared dangerous and very unhealthy air (so far) like Idaho, Oregon and Washington, memories of the Caldor Fire which ignited on August 14, 2021, linger... As a native Californian, I know too well how heatwaves and air quality can affect humans and our environment. You can find out more through my real-life stories, scientific data, and top experts in the fresh, empathetic sequel...

 [Giveaway Link on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/446428-the-healing-powers-of-honey-revised-and-updated-a-complete-guide-to-na ]

So, is climate change and extreme weather connected? Yes, say experts. Currently, the nation and around the globe heatwaves are happening. Indeed, the events affect the health of humans, pets, honeybees and our food chain and environment. Meanwhile, you're not powerless if the temperature is soaring wherever you are...When the morning TV and Internet news flashes tales of nationwide climate strain, Tahoe feels oddly calm this summer with its crisp and clean mountain air. Still, old habits die hard: I plug in cool portable fans, stock the pantry with bottled water and no-cook goods, and check the pet supplies. Watching for 90-degree spikes, I sigh, confident I am ready for whatever weather arrives. 

As the author of The Healing Powers of Superfoods, I know too well what edibles are wholesome. But for the hotter days on the horizon this summer it's time to change it up. Think clean, lighter food, such as whole fruits, nuts, and whole grains that withstand unpowered conditions, and require zero refrigeration. Here are my six go-to heroes:

1.     Little Green Apples: Protected by a tough, natural peel, green apples handle unpowered storage in mountain cabins, provide crisp hydration and lower sugar content than tropical fruits and dried fruits.

2.     Prickly Pears: Whole pears withstand warm temperatures without spoiling or getting mushy, and provide dietary fiber and moisture.

3.     Lovely Lemons: Like apples, lemons share a thick protective skin. Whole lemons remain stable without refrigeration and can be squeezed into water to enhance hydration, electrolyte absorption, and flavor.

4.     Squirrel almonds and walnuts: Completely free of moisture and high sugar, raw lightly salted nuts supply stable, healthy fats, and essential magnesium to maintain muscle function without electricity (if the power goes dark).

5.     Sweet Oranges: Protected by thick skin like lemons, whole oranges provide immune boosting vitamin C and natural fluids without requiring a working fridge during a possible power shutoff.

6.     Crunchy Whole-grain Crackers: These favorites have a long shelf-life, delivering feel-good carbo energy when cooking is not an option. Top with albacore tuna or peanut butter.

A   BONUS:  You don't have to cook but this is the way I roll on occasion during hot summer nights.

The bottom line: Extreme heat can wreak havoc on our day-to-day lifestyle. Chill by staying informed: Monitor local radio and television including AccuWeather, for 4-1-1 info and updates on heat, air quality, and more.

Cool Down, Healthy Up for Extreme Heat Events: Reduce or reschedule some activities. Infants, older adults, and pets should stay in the coolest spots. Shun direct exposure to the sun. Use budget-friendly portable electric fans. Check on Others: For more heat health tips, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Goodreads Giveaway: The Healing Powers of HONEY, Revised & Updated

Courtesy Cal Orey

NEW YORK,USA, July 14, 2026 (PinionNewswire) —Cal Orey’s augmented book returns with new honeybee research, personal survival stories, a new foreword, climate-focused reporting and honey-based recipes

Kensington Publishing is announcing the sequel and updated edition of The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated by Cal Orey, an expanded release that explores honey, honeybees, food traditions, environmental change, recipes and personal storytelling.

[Giveaway Link on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/446428-the-healing-powers-of-honey-revised-and-updated-a-complete-guide-to-na ]

The sequel will be available worldwide on Aug. 25, 2026, through Kensington Publishing’s Citadel imprint. The book expands Orey’s long-running work on honey with new research, reporting and reflections on the role honey continues to hold in kitchens, food history and cultural traditions.

The updated book examines honey at a time when many readers are paying closer attention to shelf-stable foods, traditional ingredients and minimally processed alternatives to refined sugar. Orey also discusses honey’s long-standing reputation among some beekeepers and consumers as a durable pantry staple with deep historical and cultural significance.

A major focus of the sequel edition is the relationship between honeybees, environmental stress and the human food chain. Orey looks at how extreme weather, wildfires, shifting seasonal patterns and climate-related pressures may affect honeybee survival, pollination and foods that depend on bee-pollinated crops, including fruits, nuts and other agricultural products.

The augmented edition also includes a more personal narrative layer. Orey shares stories connected to rare blizzard conditions in Tahoe, a NASCAR-related life-threatening event, wildfire danger, a race against time and a near-death experience that influenced her renewed focus on resilience, food choices and Mediterranean-style living.

“This expanded edition allowed me to return to honey through the lens of food, survival, honeybees, climate, recipes and personal experience,” said Cal Orey. “The book reflects my continued interest in how one natural ingredient can connect history, culture, kitchens and the environment.”

The book also includes new honey-based recipes, including Hot Honey Glazed Turkey Loaf and Turmeric Honey Booster. Orey also explores food trends such as Manuka honey, hot honey and honey’s continued place in contemporary kitchens.

The sequel features a new foreword by Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.

The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated blends food writing, honeybee reporting, recipes, research and first-person storytelling for readers interested in natural foods, honey traditions, environmental issues and the changing role of honey in modern life.

Health and Wellness Information Notice

This release is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical, nutritional, dietary, therapeutic or health advice. The book discusses honey, honeybees, recipes, wellness traditions, research, food history and personal experiences for general educational purposes.

No statement in this release should be interpreted as a claim that honey, honeybees, recipes or any food product can diagnose, treat, cure, prevent or manage disease, viruses, infections, medical conditions or health conditions. Readers should consult qualified healthcare professionals before making health, dietary or wellness decisions.

About the Book

Title: The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated
Subtitle: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Remarkable Nectar
Author: Cal Orey
Foreword: Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth
Publisher: Kensington Publishing, Citadel
Series: Healing Powers #4
Publication Date: Aug. 25, 2026
ISBN: 9780806545721
Pages: 352
Category: Health & Fitness / Naturopathy
Book Page: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/shop/the-healing-powers-of-honey-revised-and-updated/?v=0b3b97fa6688 [Pre-Order to Secure a Copy; see formats and editions]

About Cal Orey

Cal Orey, M.A., is a journalist, author and on-air personality known for the Healing Powers series. She holds a master’s degree in English from San Francisco State University and has written for national and international publications for more than three decades, with work focused on health, nutrition, food and science.

Media Contact

Cal Orey
Phone: 530-416-8376

Website: Cal Orey Homepage www.calorey.com

The post Kensington Publishing Announces Sequel of The Healing Powers of Honey first appeared on USA Today News. 

On the Streets: Homeless Pets and Their People

 On the Streets

Homeless Pets and Their People

By Cal Orey

“…A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity, and in poverty, in health, and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and snow drives fiercely, if only he may be by his master’s side. "

From coast to coast, in San Francisco or Atlanta, homelessness was a problem in the 20^th century and it is today. Both humans and their pets cope with weather changes or living without a home due to a natural disaster.  Here is a story that I wrote years ago but it is a timeless one that needs to be heard...

There’s a memorable scene in the movie Down and Out in Beverly Hills where Nick Nolte, a homeless man, loses his little tan dog, Kerouac and soon after attempts to end his life by jumping into a wealthy businessman’s backyard swimming pool.

            In the hands of this actor, this is a very moving scene. Behind the absurd outcome, however, is the painful truth about down and out people and our society’s often cold and insensitive attitude toward the way the homeless pets and their people really feel.

            Many dog and cat owners—perhaps even you—may one day be just a paycheck or an illness away from becoming homeless. And when a story like this one shows the streets being a home to people and their sleeping bags, pets and shopping carts, you, like, like all pet people may wonder, “How do the homeless and their pets live?”

            I spent several days on the streets with the disenfranchised and my report, while sad, still serves to illustrate the patience and devotion the companion animal holds for his owner, no matter what the circumstances.

            In San Francisco during the Depression dogs kept company with the jobless and transient hobos. During the turbulent Sixties dogs freeloaded with the hippies on Haight Street and freeway ramps. And now, amid a recession, pets band together with the homeless in the Tenderloin and at Golden Gate Park. Regardless of the era or locale, it’s the pet, however, who sticks by his or her owner’s side—for better or worse.

            Statistics prove pets and their people who are homeless, ill or financially destitute are far too common on the streets of San Francisco today.  In the Bay Area, there were an estimated 46,000 homeless in 1988. How many own pets? No one knows for sure. But you can bet it’s a lot.

            Often it is the homeless person rather than society who is blamed when the inevitable doubt arises: “Did he create his plight?” And too frequently, the judgmental question is posed by the homeless themselves who more times than not, have lost their pride and self-worth.

MEET A HOMELESS MAN AND HIS DOGS

            Reno, a homeless person, for example, owns two dogs in San Francisco.  After a painful divorce, several years ago the anguished man grabbed his guitar and pup, left Colorado, and hit the road. For over five years, Reno has been broke and struggling on the streets of San Francisco with his “two girls”—Tramp, an Australian Shepherd/Bull Terrier and Puget Sound, a black Labrador retriever from Washington state.

            Often the 38-year-old unkempt man and his two canines can be found on Market Street where they panhandle for food. Some people call the homeless with dogs, like Reno, “scam artists.” Many turn their heads. And others are losing patience and won’t spare a dime. Dog or not.

            One recent afternoon, in between tears and flashing a snap shot of three dogs, Reno said in between tears he had lost Puget’s daughter, Bingo in an operation. He blamed the doctors for “killing his dog.” Not surprising, his anger and frustration carries over to The City’s Mayor, and the police who often harass the homeless and keep them from living at Civic Center Plaza.

            Reno’s feelings are common among homeless people. “Maybe, the only one that cares and gives support is their companion animal,” says Richard Avanzino, president of the San Francisco SPCA. “Because homeless people have this unique bond and special relationship, in many cases, the animals are better cared for than they take care of themselves. And that’s because the animal has stood by their side when society and the world and human beings have discarded them.”

            Why? Why do people (veterans, children, adults with disabilities, single parents, teenagers, part-time employees)—without housing, end up on the streets?

            Experts answer that the primary reason of homelessness is lack of affordable housing. Also other societal factors such as low-paying jobs, inaccessible health care, as well as personal disasters, drug abuse and alcoholism can cause homelessness.

            Despite the growing problem of homeless people and their pets, it continues. Slowly, pet owners coping with hard times are fighting back, and rediscovering their dignity, civil rights, and freedom.

A DOG-LOVING VETERAN AND HIS TROOP

            As a Vietnam veteran living in the Tenderloin, Ray Masterson was homeless for 20 years. With a likeness to John Steinbeck’s fictional character Pirate, a dog-loving man who owned five dogs in Tortilla Flat, he tells his story: “After I go out of the service it was hard to hold down a job, moving from one part of the country to the other. I’ve always had a dog when I’ve been without a home. It’s a fulfillment of being needed. It’s like having a family that I don’t have.”

            Ray has owned several dogs while homeless: Corky, a Coyote/Dingo; Samson, a Husky/Wolf; Toker, a Pit Bull Terrier/Great Dane; and Bear, a Pit Bull Terrier/Chow Chow. “Corky was a real good panhandler,” he says and laughs out loud. “Bear took right to freight trains. Every animal I’ve has had their own personalities and quirks. I got Bear on the rebound because Corky had been run over by a tractor trailer up in Oregon. I worked my way around for about a month and somebody gave me Bear as a pup. As he grew bigger and stronger I got tired of carrying his food and water plus mine in a backpack—so I built him a pair of donkey saddle bags. He carried his own food and water for over a year.

            “Bear and I were homeless in The City for about nine months. We slept up in the churchyard mostly, where we had permission from the church. Bear wouldn’t let anybody near me,” explains Ray. Like a proud father, he points out Bear’s distinct facial features, and adds, that as a pup his dog’s face was full of fuzzy fur resembling a California Grizzly Bear.

            These days the 37-year-old war vet who’d spend his last five dollars on his dog, receives compensation from the government for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even though Ray’s off the streets for now, he’s busy at work as a homeless advocate.

So when society turns their back on people who are down and out it’s understandable why these folks go to man’s best friend for comfort. One man’s words---attributed to Senator George Vest in 1870—from his writing “Tribute To A Dog” says it best:

“…A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity, and in poverty, in health, and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and snow drives fiercely, if only he may be by his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all others desert, he remains.”