Sunday, February 01, 2009

Tall Cotton


In a dazzling rags-to-riches Cinderella story, Greg Pike and his animals (previous post) have found a new home.

Flip had offered to take some photos of them which could be made into postcards, so on Friday we stopped by his motel to pick him up. It was clear that he had either forgotten our arrangement or assumed we would forget because we had to wait outside while he dressed.

His dog and cat were quite surprised to be out so early, as it was 11 o'clock and he normally hits the streets at 1:00.

We walked to Starbuck's, where he attracted his usual crowd, and Flip and I both took pictures.

A little later, a man came along who invited Greg to have dinner with him that night. Greg asked if he could bring his animals because he never goes anywhere without them. The man assured him that he could. Greg told him uncomfortably that he hoped what he was wearing was ok because it was all he had.

"All my money goes to feed my animals," he said.

The man offered to buy him some new clothing and Greg apologized to Flip and me for running out on our photo shoot.

We assured him that it was a good thing, and they left.

Today, we gave him some of our pictures, and he told us that he is moving. In circumstances reminiscent of Curious George and the man in the yellow hat, the man who bought him dinner has offered to be his silent business partner and to bankroll his ventures, which will soon include a website that accepts donations.

He has also offered Greg a rent-free apartment in his home with its own entrance, a freezer stocked with steaks, and a private deck overlooking San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

I told Greg that he was finally getting the good karma he deserves.

I'm thrilled at this new development and hope that it's as good as it seems. I also take pleasure in knowing that Flip and I were the catalyst because if we had not dragged him out two hours earlier than usual, he would never have met his benefactor.

Maybe fairy tale happy endings occur every day but are mostly unnoticed in our busy lives.

So if anyone would like to adopt Flip and me, we are also available. In fact, I'm going to get a dog, cat and rat and start training them now.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ooh, ooh! Me, too - I'm up for adoption!

But yay for your friend.

thailandchani said...

I'm definitely up for adoption, too! Especially for that apartment that overlooks the bay and the bridge!

(I need to work on my karma! :)

I'm glad for Greg.. and will look forward to seeing the website.



~*

Jo said...

Oh, what a fabulous story! As soon as he gets a website, please give us a link. He looks like a very nice fellow, and I love the photos! Omigoodness!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Citizen,

There must be someone out there who will adopt us all. I've always wanted sisters.

I'll post the url when i have it.

Chani,

That free apartment is in a house worth several millions. Ah, San Francisco real estate.

My karma obviously needs some work, too.

Jo,

Surely you noticed that he looks like Van Gogh, except for the ear, of course.

Isn't serendipity great?

Anonymous said...

What a heart warming story! Thank you for sharing it.

As for adoption, you always live in my heart - does that help?

There's honey on it's way to you....

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Claudia,

Oh, yes, it helps so much.

I just mixed a little honey into my vinaigrette and thought wistfully of your exquisite honey. You must have caught my thought.

I'll be waiting in the mailbox until it comes.

Chris said...

Wow! That's just great! Please do let us know about the new website.

Jocelyn said...

The thing about The Man in the Yellow Hat and Curious George, though, is that the Man went to George's natural habitat and stuck him in a bag and toted him back to Man's World.

I hope the new benefactor didn't put Mr. Pike in a bag.

If he did, I hope the rat bit him.

The CEO said...

I'm glad things worked out so well for him so fast.

Anonymous said...

Well, that's a wonderful turn of fortune. I also hope it's as good as it seems. I'm sure loads of people would visit his website to see his amazing pets. Who exactly is this generous businessman I wonder?

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

I wish to apply for the position of the rat. I think you will find that I am adequately qualified for that position.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Chris,

I will! I think he's moving to his new digs next weekend after the present tenant moves out.

Jocelyn,

I, too, hope he is not being put into a bag, albeit an invisible one.

But like the Bremen musicians, I'm sure the animals will know what to do if it happens.

Monty,

It's kind of breathtaking. I admit to being a bit suspicious of the benefactor's motives, but I would like to believe they're good.

Nick,

I wonder, too. The man came along yesterday as Flip and I were talking to Greg and said, "I recognize you - you were here the other day" to us.

So I introduced Flip and me by name but he didn't give us his, which I thought quite strange. And rude.

Calvin,

Yes, nobody could deny that having been a squirrel all your life, it's a short leap to ratdom.

I'll put in a good word for you if the position becomes available.

meno said...

Well THAT makes me smile!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Meno,

I knew it would.

Actually, Greg's new friend is the Man in the Yellow Hummer. Seriously.

Cardozo said...

Thanks for brightening up my day.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Cardozo,

Glad I could help.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

I thought you two were going to find your stardom in music!

I'm kind of disappointed about that. Flip and the Flipettes.
Or whatever the last name was.

It's great to hear that Greg and his animals will be doing well.
Sometimes dreams really do come true.

*grin*


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Scarlett,

Yet another twist to Greg's story... it didn't work out with his "benefactor," who was lying to him about owning a large house with room for him and his pets. They have parted company with him and are continuing as before, hoping for handouts without actually panhandling.

It's very sad that someone would prey on somebody in need like that.

Sorry to be the bearer of such news.

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

I'm very disappointed to hear this news. What kind of a sicko would do something so cold?

Jerk!

Well, he is lucky still, though, to have friends like you and Flip.

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Scarlett,

I think there must be a special place in Hell for bottom feeders like that man.

It just proves the old adage that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.