We've heard many wonderful stories about dogs saving human lives in one way or another, but it isn't often that we hear about a dog causing their humans' success. John Dolan of east London has his dog, George, to thank for doing both of these things!
Up until recently, Dolan was a heroin addict and homeless person. He is also a very talented street artist, whose life was recently changed forever when Richard Howard-Griffin, a street art devotee and gallery owner decided to take a chance on him.
The 43-year-old artist fell into a life of poverty, addiction, homelessness and mental illness at a young age and it continued for much of his life. When a fellow homeless person gave Dolan George, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy, Dolan decided to clean up his act. He now had a responsibility to care for the animal and knew if he didn't get his life together, he'd end up in jail again.
Dolan developed a deep bond with the dog and began begging and selling his sketches on the streets to make ends meet. He gave up crime and was even commissioned to do some sketches for a book featuring other artists from Shoreditch High Street in east London. Last fall, Dolan visited a doctor and finally got himself off heroin. Griffin then asked Dolan to do some sketches for an exhibit and he hasn't looked back since.
Overcoming his difficulties has been extremely tough for Dolan, but he has his best friend to thank for everything. "I feel like he's a guardian angel. If it hadn't been for him I'd have never picked up my pen," said Dolan, stroking his companion. Although he now has money, Dolan still sits on the street and draws. Fresh air helps him with depression and Shoreditch High Street reminds him of how far he has come… and how far he still has to go.
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John Dolan, 43, of east London and his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, George.
Growing up in Islington, north London a difficult childhood led Dolan (pictured age 5) to a life of crime.
Dolan left a change cup in front of George, so he didn't have to look at passerby in the eyes.
Taking in George from a fellow homeless person gave Dolan the inspiration to change his life around.
"I feel like he's a guardian angel. If it hadn't been for him I'd have never picked up my pen." - John Dolan
John Dolan - George the Dog, Shoreditch London
John Dolan - Old Blue Last
John Dolan - Shoreditch from Air
John Dolan - Skyscrapers
John and George's exhibit at Howard Griffin Gallery in London.
Sketches of the dog who started it all.
Shoreditch High Street, where Dolan still returns to sketch local architecture.
