Homeless man was asked why he has a dog despite starving — his response is a powerful reminder that loyalty never judges

Dogs are known for their loyalty toward their owners. While it is a well-known fact, most people never stop to cherish the gift of unconditional love. One man did. William Zachary Rushing, who goes by @zachrushingofficial on TikTok, fought back his tears when he saw a homeless man and his pup living a content life on the streets. He donated a dollar to the man every day and was struck by how well his dog was treated despite his shortcomings. Rushing summed up the lesson simply: “We really don’t deserve dogs.”

Sitting in his car, the creator, who claimed to hail from a small town in Mississippi, spoke about his brief conversation with the homeless man sitting with his pet dog near a gas station. He noticed that the man always walked up and down the street pushing a shopping cart with his dog. Whenever Rushing spotted him at the gas station, he would chip in a dollar to help out. They would exchange a few words, and while Rushing admitted the donation was small, the man’s appreciation always touched him. One morning, on his way from the gym, Rushing donated another dollar but could not resist asking the homeless person about his dog. 

“Buddy, how’s your dog doing?” Rushing asked. The homeless man’s expression changed, pride spreading across his face. “You don’t have to worry about that dog. That thing right there, he is before I do,” said the homeless dog owner, who was about 70 years old. “He walks up and down the road, hitting every trash can in my hometown, looking for cans every single day. I looked at his dog. His dog ain’t missed a meal,” Rushing explained. He was also surprised by how clean and hygienic the dog looked. On the contrary, the dog owner’s shabby appearance hinted at his “mistakes in life.” 

Then, the creator finally dropped the question. “What made you want to get a dog?” he asked. The man didn’t hesitate. “That dog is the only thing in this world that doesn’t judge me,” he said with quiet pride. His words moved Rushing to the core. Fighting back tears, he shared the story online, highlighting how the man’s love for his dog stood out against the judgment he faced from others. Rushing headed to the dollar store and returned with dog food, bowls, a leash, and treats for the pup. Handing over the gifts to the man, Rushing noticed that while the man was grateful for his help, he did not “need it.” 

“He was going to make sure that his best friend, the one thing in his life that gives him purpose, was taken care of,” Rushing expressed. His inspiring commentary about the homeless man’s virtues amassed 5.1 million views on the platform and 591,000 hearts. The story stood as a reminder that love and loyalty can thrive even in the harshest circumstances, needing no wealth or comfort but only devotion.

You can follow @zachrushingofficial on TikTok for more videos.