Strangers raise over $35,000 for homeless man who traveled with his adopted a pack of stray dogs

One can't predict when or how their lives take a turn for the worse and they suddenly find themselves hit rock bottom. Nevertheless, we don't have many options except to fight through the challenges that life throws at us at different points. Just like this gentleman named Steve, who has apparently been homeless since 2001. Steve might have been facing some hardships in his life but he had the company of his pack of loyal furry friends who always travel with him.

A woman named Alicia Edrington encountered an exhausted Steve while passing through a Californian freeway when she noticed him pulling a cart attached to his bike. The cart was occupied by Steve's belongings and a bunch of stray dogs he had adopted over the years. The man had apparently helped over 50 dogs during his years on the street. However, Steve, who has 10 dogs with him, had decided to move to Indiana so he could be with his girlfriend.

Others might have considered handing over the canines to pet shelters but Steve was determined to take his family of four-legged-pals along with him on this journey. Edrington who stumbled upon this kind soul couldn't ignore his plight and decided to do something that would prove beneficial to Steve and his dogs. Edrington's father, Mickey, also joined his daughter on her quest to help Steve and ended up setting up a GoFundMe page to raise enough funds for him.

Mickey and his daughter had a modest goat of gathering at least $10,000 but ended up getting an overwhelming response from netizens who donated over $35,000 for Steve. Using those funds, Steve received a trailer for himself and his furry companions. But the universe had bigger plans for Steve and his dogs. Another individual named Keeley Seaton, a resident of Tennessee volunteered to drive Steve and his dogs to Indiana for free.

On the GoFundMe page, Edrington's father wrote: "Steve only has a bicycle and a wagon-type cart to move his fur family. He has peddled almost 2000 miles already faithfully pulling his family behind him. He has gone without to ensure they eat and get what they need first. There have been a few people who don't agree with what we're doing. They think we should 'convince' him to surrender them all. Those who have the misconception that rescue is about tearing families like this apart need to step back and look at the big picture."

He also detailed a list of things for which the donated money would be used other than getting Steve a trailer home. Steve needed the funds for vet bills for spays/neuters and vaccinations, flea/tick and heartworm mediciness too. He required a large amount of dog food and food bowls. He needed food and clothing for himself as well as other miscellaneous living expenses.

Mickey made one last update on the fundraiser page back in 2015 where he announced that Steven has become a legal Indiana resident and passed the DMV requirements to obtain a driver's license. In the end, he thanked everyone who came forward to help Steve and the canines. After 2015, the internet lost track of Steve and his current whereabouts along with his furry family but we all wish he is living a better life and is still helping out stray dogs who are ruthlessly discarded by many.