While the subjects of this photograph do seem to be true companions, there is nothing that enrages me more than panhandlers with pets. I realize there are people out there for whom a life of dereliction and poverty is not a choice, and my heart goes out to them. But for each legitimate charity case out there, a far greater number of professional vagrants seek to occupy this societal niche voluntarily. They are not physically handicapped, mentally ill, or otherwise incapable of performing work as a means of support. They possess an astonishing unwillingness to generate income through any effort of their own. They shamelessly prey on the naivety, kindness and generosity of their fellow humans. Perhaps they are addicted to hard spirits or other drugs. Maybe they have had bad luck or made poor decisions. Possibly they are just lazy or rebellious. Whatever chip they have on their shoulder is their business. I am utterly unconcerned with the decision of some conscienceless lowlife to live under a bridge drinking hooch and smoking ice. It doesn't perturb me that they are able to manage this lifestyle by manipulating the hearts of the sincere. It is likely that many who serve as benefactors of the destitute might even receive a measure of emotional fulfillment in exchange for their acts of compassion. I am a bit bothered, however, that as an effect of the selfishness of the sane and able-bodied beggars of choice, a considerable percentage of the resources donated by the altruists of the world does not reach the minority that truly cannot function in society at any level. But the thing I find sickening is the conscription of innocent animals into this miserable and unnecessary living situation. It is unforgivable, in my opinion, to use another creature as a tool to exploit the sympathy of good people. People have the right to live their lives as uselessly as they choose, but to involve an animal in such an idiotic endeavor is despicable. When I see the same guy, squatting along the same off-ramp, with the same sign asking for dog-food money that I saw three months ago, but with a different puppy, I feel hate. If you can't feed yourself, how could you possibly care for a pet? And what happened to the previous one? Sorry to rant. As I said, the pair in the picture seem to be loyal to one another, and I do find that touching.

TL/DR: How you choose to squander your life is up to you, but please don't drag animals along your bad trip with you.