Well, we did it and we survived. RONON AND I SLEPT OUT ON THURSDAY NIGHT.
Sleep Out was challenging – more so than I expected and not exactly in the ways I thought it would be.
Ro and I got to the Friends Center a little before 7pm on Thursday. After we signed in, we went outside and staked our claim to a little space and I set up our beds in what would later be a whole shantytown of cardboard boxes and sleeping bags. We spent some time walking around, meeting people. There were participants who had known a therapy dog would be there and were happy to meet him. There were others who didn’t know and were so excited when they realized he’s a therapy dog, rather than a service dog, meaning they were allowed to pet him. Ronon was soaking up all the scritches and belly rubs that he could!
After everyone got checked in, there were multiple presentations by Covenant House PA staff and board members, plus some testimonials from former residents. I learned more about Covenant House and their programs, which was interesting, but Ronon was bored. I think being still and quiet in a room full of people for several hours was the hardest part for both of us!
Around midnight, we went outside to attempt to sleep. It was cold and it was raining off and on. I had shown Ronon his bed a few times since we set up, so he knew what I expected. I was worried that he might not settle, but he was fantastic. I got in my sleeping bag, rolled up a jacket for a pillow, put an arm out of the bag to rub Ronon’s belly, and tried to fall asleep. Ro settled in so perfectly. After I was sure he wasn’t going anywhere, I pulled my arm into the bag and burrowed down into it to stay warm. He stayed right next to me. A security guard told me later that when he walked past us, Ronon stood up protectively, watched him walk by, and then settled back down next to me.
I think I had an easier time staying warm than most people, since I had Ronon cozied up next to me. There was only so long I could stay there with just a cardboard box and sleeping bag between me and the bricks though. You don’t truly realize how impossible it is to get comfortable on the street/sidewalk/pavement until you try it. I lasted about two hours. Ro and I wandered back inside and found Dr. Lydia, the staff psychiatrist working at her laptop. We spent the next few hours hanging out with her and a few others who wandered in and out, talking about life, Covenant House, dogs, and whatever else came to mind. We even had a conversation about responsible pet ownership education which may lead to a new collaboration. Ronon and I went back out around 5am and packed up shortly after. We headed home around 6am.
The TL:DR Version: Sleep Out was cold and wet. Bricks are REALLY HARD TO SLEEP ON. We raised some money. Ronon impressed me with his adaptability. I have a whole new appreciation for how AWFUL life on the streets must be. I learned a lot about Covenant House and plan to get more involved as a volunteer. 