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Today I wandered down to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and encountered a panhandler named Dan and his Persian Himalayan cat Samantha.According to Dan, Samantha had won several cat competitions.
“Donations for cat show welcome. To be held in San Jose. $$ Thank you. Small or large everything helps”, said the message on the cardboard sign propped on a baby stroller.

Organizers had strongly discouraged him from entering although they hadn’t banned him outright. You are expected to wear a tuxedo and "drink tea with your pinky finger extended.” he told me. “We don’t drink tea where I’m from. We drink beer.” It had already been a very trying day. That morning two unleashed dogs had roughed up Samantha. That afternoon a tourist had filed a neglect complaint with the SPCA. Donations were steady though. At dusk Dan placed Samantha’s cat carrier into the baby stroller and headed down the street towards the bus stop.

In the Nice to Meet You: Dan and Samantha photo essay.