Big, tough men with a marshmallow for a heart--do you know of one?

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They are out there, and they do exist. I currently know of several or am related to a few of these fellows. If you don't know one, you should. They typically put off the initial big tough guy vibe when you meet them, they take no BS from anyone. At first, it's tempting to just write them off in your mind as impossible to deal with and move on. Don't do that! Make an effort to be friends with them if you can. Many of these tough guys are marshmallow men, hiding behind that tough facade. Truly, they are. One fellow I've known for years now rides the biggest Harley I have ever seen. He is a huge man, covered with tattoos and leather. He looks so mean. But he isn't. He works tirelessly at his job; he has several adult children he worships and would do anything needed for them. He builds wheelchair ramps for people who need them but cannot afford them. He mows several lawns for several elderly friends who can't do that. He has worked with two animal rescues for years, and has saved many animals from an early or untimely death, helped to screen and find homes for them. He helped with the oh, so terrible Michael Vick dogs, when they were confiscated and it was truly terrible. Those dogs were so very abused. ( I still think Michael Vick should have been given life, but no one asked my opinion.) Yesterday, he was driving a van to be part of an animal rescue that was rather large, a severe hoarding situation. He called to see if I had any extra crates for travel, he was a few short for the trip. I did have 2 at this time, as I do still foster once in a while, usually only for an overnighter for an animal on it's way through the rescue system. He came by and got my two crates. He showed me the inside of the van, it was just stacked with crates and he said they would be full. There is another van going to the rescue also, coming from a different direction. I made him some hot coffee and he snared a sack of muffins for the road and a couple of sandwiches. This big, tough man had tears in his eyes describing what the situation was for these animals. They had to wait for courts to decide what to do, and to get permission to go get them. These situations are so hard, it rips your heart out to see how some of these animals have to live. Hoarders think they are helping, but they are not. I got a big hug and a thank you, but I am not in a position to do this right now. So watch out for the big and tough guys who pass through your life. They may well have that marshmallow inside, with that giant heart.