A Sister’s Story
As seen at My Dog Is My Home’s
C0-Sheltering Conference
Watch here to hear the story as told by Kristen. This video is the interview portion of a video that will be finalized later this year. It is produced by My Dog Is My Home, and we are grateful for their support and partnership in helping us tell our story.
Kristen’s Story of Transformation
I am Kristen Baltrum, founder of Annie and Millie's place. Annie was my older sister and, in so many ways, was my hero.
Her outgoing personality and strong sense of self-confidence were enviable. This project is my gift to her
to thank her for all the things she taught me and for always believing in me. Please read on!
Annie & Kristen
Preconception
I’ll admit it. I rolled my eyes at homeless people who owned pets. I’d wondered, “If they can’t provide for themselves, how will they provide for the animal?” Almost saying, “wouldn’t they have more opportunity or be better off without each other?”
Sure there are instances where these opinions may be correct, but my judgments are my own. I do not have the right to pass judgment or make decisions for someone else. I have never walked in their shoes.
Clouded Judgements
But my sister had walked in their shoes. With her dog, Millie, by her side, Annie became an individual experiencing homelessness. My opinions of her actions to stay with Millie were loud and filled with disapproval. The same judgments I’d always projected.
Over the months Annie and Millie experienced homelessness, our family needed to make some tough decisions. While we wanted to support Annie, we could no longer enable her.
Together, we made a promise that we would not give Annie any more money. At the time, it was the right decision. Our judgments were high and our frustrations blazing. We were emotionally and mentally drained.
A Strangers Kindness
Annie would often use Facebook to give thanks to those who had helped her along the way. The strangers who were kind enough to provide Annie with money to eat always humbled me. They were acting upon my behalf, giving Annie what I could not, for reasons they never realized.
Through these humbling moments and strangers’ kindness, I became convicted to be another family’s stranger and give what they can no longer provide. I understood the internal struggles when making the hard decision to draw a line with someone you love.
It’s my turn to stand on the other side of that line. Today, I choose to be a temporary family to those in need and for their relatives who must make difficult choices. Even for that fleeting moment, the person experiencing homelessness and their family can find comfort in knowing someone cares.
Open Eyes, Clear Hearts
When Annie grew too tired to continue and took her life, Millie was there in her darkest hour, not me, and not her family by definition. Throughout their homeless experience, Millie loved, protected, and comforted Annie when we could not. Millie never judged Annie. It was this realization that helped me understand family comes in all forms. Homelessness doesn’t make someone any less worthy of love and companionship. Surrendering a pet may mean surrendering purpose, loyalty, and a sense of family. Who am I to ask anyone to surrender those life-sustaining needs?
It took Annie’s passing to transform our perception of her choices. The years before gave Annie and us plenty of things we didn’t choose, but now our family gets to choose how we persevere. Through Annie and Millie’s place, we flip the script. We are committed to evolving pet-friendly solutions, programs, and resources that keep humans experiencing homelessness and their fur family together.