Bear Abbott remembers the moment, down to the minute: Dec. 23, 1992, at 7:16 p.m. He was living in Dallasand that's when he learned he was HIV-positive.
Abbott was told he had six months to live.
The next day, he had a heart-to-heart talk with someone he truly, unconditionally loved (and vice versa): his dachshund, Gretchen.
"We made a pact that we'd never [die] without each other," Abbott said.
Gretchen ultimately lived to be 18.
Her health failing, Abbott told Gretchen, "They've come for you and it's your time. Just save a spot for me. I release you."
A tear rolled down Gretchen's left eye. She took one more breath, her last.
Abbottt still remembers that moment, too, and the abundance of memories Gretchen brought into his life.
"I now want to help people who are in the same position I was in," Abbott said.
So, Abbott and his partner of 15 years, Ron Billman, have created Poz Pets Foundation, Inc., to bring affordable pet care and nutrition to the pets of HIV-infected people.
"Poz Pets is so rewarding. To see the smiles on these people's faceswow," said Abbott, now 52.
Abbott and Billman had health woes with their dog, Harley, about five years ago, and the bills mounted.
The two immediately thought of an HIV/AIDS-service organization in north Texas that offered a 10 percent discount of veterinarian bills for HIV-infected people. However, there was nothing similar in Chicago.
"I just started playing with ideas in my head, thinking that there's nothing to help people with the medical costs for their pets," said Billman, 48, a flight attendant.
So last year the two started unveiling Poz Pets; they now are working to establish it is as a 501(c)(3), a tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
"I asked 100 HIV-positive people at [Test Positive Aware Network], 'If you had one meal in your house, would you eat it or give it to your dog?'" Abbott said. "About 85 percent said the meal would go to the dog.
"Either way, someone would go hungryand that's what we're trying to help eliminate."
Abbott suggested the name "Poz Pets," and the two have already begun distributing pet food to HIV-infected patients at Vital Bridges.
Long-term, they want to expand and also aid the elderly and disabled.
"After hearing the [HIV] news almost 20 years ago, I never expected any of this. Poz Pets means the world to me. I might start crying," Abbott said. "It's a win-win-win for everyone."
Bear Abbott and Ron Billman can be reached by email at pozpets@gmail.com or at the company's website: www.pozpets.org .