Beyond the gates of GRACE Marketplace, a homeless shelter in Gainesville, the afternoon sun casts long shadows onto the cement. Shelter guests crowd the pavement under covered areas, seeking relief from the Florida heat. A man and a woman break into laughter as their puppy nudges her wet nose against them and sprints off across the concrete. Nearby, another guest pulls her dog into an embrace. They cling to each other for comfort after a long day.
About 25% of the day guests at GRACE are pet owners. They curl up with their dogs for warmth at night and ensure their pets have something to eat before they consider their own grumbling stomachs. These animals may be homeless, but they’re loved.
Jacob Schaffer, the animal welfare manager at GRACE, provides the dogs food, shelter and lots of extra care. If an owner can’t afford dog food or needs help taking their dog on walks, Schaffer is there to lend a helping hand and give back to a community he understands. His desire to help is rooted in his past, having experienced homelessness himself with a dog by his side.
Powerful companionship exists between the unhoused and the dogs they call family. Every kiss and snuggle holds a truth: Love knows no boundaries, in even the toughest of circumstances.
Julien is a social butterfly who serves as a companion to many people and animals at GRACE. He chases after his friend’s dog Daisy as they play together on the grass. “I don’t really live for myself, so when I know that there’s another being that’s excited to see me, even if I’m sad, it’s like … hell f— yeah,” Julien said. (Anna Edlund/Atrium Magazine)
Jacob Schaffer, the animal welfare manager, lets out Shorty for his afternoon workout. “I have seen homeless people who take care of their dogs better than my neighbors down the street take care of theirs, and they have a house. I don’t think it’s a homeless or non-homeless issue — I think it’s an issue of the person themselves,” Jacob said. (Anna Edlund/Atrium Magazine)
Christy, a guest at GRACE, beams with joy as she embraces her two puppies. The dogs, Prince Munch and Princess Bella, wriggle in her arms as they compete for their owner’s affection. (Anna Edlund/Atrium Magazine)
Kay says that her Chihuahua Shorty and her American pitbull terrier Marshmellow make up her world. She takes a moment to snuggle with Shorty. “I have lupus, and it has destroyed bone and muscle. I also am a breast cancer survivor, and I have lymphoma,” Kay said. “I can’t walk far distances but I can walk with them; they get me out of the chair.” (Anna Edlund/Atrium Magazine)
Amanda and her Chihuahua, Divine Grace, have been inseparable since she rescued the pup at six weeks old. Amanda holds Divine Grace to her chest, replicating how they fall asleep together every night. “I went to rehab for a few days, and it’s hard to sleep when I don’t have her, ‘cause she’s not an at-your-feet dog, she’s got to be at your chest,” Amanda said. (Anna Edlund/Atrium Magazine)
Shorty, Barbie, Jackson, Prince Munch, Denali, Charlie, Laura, Leo and Marshmellow (left to right) (Anna Edlund/Atrium Magazine)
