Love Conquers Addiction

Patrick nursing Scott back to health in September of 2013.


After a bout with pain pills in September of 2013, Patrick nursed me back to health upon leaving the hospital with my life.

I rescued Patrick from a pet store in August of 2013 where he kept getting marked down in price. Nobody wanted him. He had been in that store for 8 months already. I used to call him my little songbird becuase he used to quietly howl to himself in his cage at the store. He had completely given up on anyone taking him home. His little howls provided a sense of comfort to him. Even though I had 2 dogs already, by August of 2013, I couldn’t watch him be sad anymore. So, I took him home and named him Patrick. I named him after the late great, Patrick Swayze because I always felt terrible the way Mr. Swayze died.

By September 17th, just one month later, I slippped into a 5 day coma from all the pain pills that I’d been taking over the prior two weeks. On september 22nd, I left Lennox Hill Hospital in NYC and escaped with my lfie. The hosptial recommended that I stay for at least antoher week. I even had to sign formal discharge papers to acknowledge it was against the advice of the hospital.

Happier Times for Patrick and Scott

The only reason I left the hospital early, despite the condition I was in, was for Patrick. I knew he was wondering where the man was that rescued him from the store. I knew he was feelng abandonded again. My two other dogs were fine. They’d been with me for years alraedy and felt secure about life. The staff at the hospital took me to the lobby in a wheelchair. Then they handed me a cane and walked me outside on 77th street and Lexingtin Avenue. It took me an hour just to walk a few blocks to 74th street and 2nd Avenue. But, I didn’t care if took me 10 hours. I would’ve swam across oceans and moved mountains to see my boy.

As you can see in the covered collage picture on the Top right, Patrick was nursing back to heath after I left the hospital. Patrick was only 7 pounds, but could take me to my knees with just a stare. We were completely in love. He’s the reason I walked out of Lennox Hill Hospital with my life on September 22nd, 2013. He’s also the reason I turned my life around. I was so enamored and inspired by Patrick that I started writing about him every Tuesday. The posts were titled “Happy Poppy Tuesday.” Poppy was one of my many nicknames for Patrick. The underlying message of Poppy Tuesday was a message of hope. It was about the little boy that could. Eventurally, I worked my other rescues into those weekly posts as well. If you have the time and patience, feel free to scroll through all those Tuesday posts from 2014 through July of 2018.

Tragiaclly, 5 years later from the hospital incident, Patrick was killed by a car in Puerto Rico on August 19th, 2018. I died with him that day. I’ve never been the same and never will be. In October of 2018, I published a video about my life with Patrick, his death, animal rescue in general, and I introduced a new rescue of mine, BabyLady. The video is very sad and heart warming. But, it ends on a high note with the introduction of rescued dog, BabyLady.

DriveWithCompassion marches on now in the name Sammy, Patrick and my survived Wolfpack.

Lastly, to eveveryone around the world, please Drive With Compassion. There are stray animals in the street.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Sammy and Patrick’s human Dad, and General to the greatest Woflpack in the history of the world.

Henry – The Soldier Of Love

Henry earned the phrase “The Soldier of Love” back in 2013 because he’s as selfless as they come. When the Wolfpack is happy, he’s happy.

As a matter of fact, Henry and I have a pact, when the other dogs are happy, we’re happy. In many ways, Henry is like Batman. A silent guardian. A watchful protector. That’s how the story of the Soldier of Love came about.

Henry is the last surviving member of the original Wolfpack with Sammy and Patrick. Everyday when I’m with him, he connects me back to my fallen angels. If you want to understand the depths of Henry’s selflessness, you can listen to the audio “The Soldier of Love.” It was originally recorded in 2013 and is only 1 minute long. You’ll be smiling for hours.

Memorial Day 2021

Sammy was a soldier for Peace.

In observance of Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those fallen protecting our country. Sammy was a soldier for peace. He personified all things good in the world. Sammy passed on January 30th, 2020. – DriveWithCompassion thinks the greatest respect we can show our troops, is to stop sending them into frivolous wars.

We want to thank retired Armyman, Emmanuel Enrique Dextre for having the United States Army make this uniform for Sammy here in the picture. It’s Not a costume. This was made for Sammy by the US Army.

Sincerely, Scott Smith – Sammy and Patrick’s human dad, and General to the greatest Wolfpack in history of the world. Wolfpack 8 to be precise.

The Wedding Crasher – Sammy

Sammy and a bride. Central Park, NYC

Nine years ago today, Sammy and I were taking a stroll in Central Park, NYC when we stumbled upon an active wedding taking place. This is a true story. The bride halted her own wedding to come take a picture with Sammy.

In today’s digital world people take these kinds of photo opps all the time. But, this was before the word “Selfie” even existed. Nine years ago people weren’t really using smartphones to take pictures. Yes, you could take pictures with your smartphone, but most people still used cameras. The point being is this was a very big deal for the bride and a very big deal for the sign of the times we were in.

Sammy was ahead of his time. He was arguably the greatest dog in the history of time and space. Plus, as you can see, he got all the girls. Would I have married a woman with a smile like that? – Affirmative. In a NY minute.

The United States of Mass Shootings – San Jose, CA

Mass Shooting in San Jose, CA leaves 9 dead and others injured.

And yet again, another mass shooting. A gunman opened fire at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) property in San Jose, California killing 9 people and wounding others. The shooter was 57 year old, Sam Cassidy, an employee of the VTA. The victims were his colleagues and they were specifically targeted. After the killing spree, Cassidy took his own life. So, while Covid deaths are down, gun violence and deaths are way up. Walking out of the house has literally become a roll of the dice with your life.

The US has an addiction to guns the world has never seen before. And like with any addition, until the addict acknowledges the problem, the carnage will continue. The US is 4% of the world’s population and yet owns 40% of the world’s guns. Even if there were no bad guys, no mentally ill people, and no terrorists, there are way too many guns in circulation.

The fact that someone is a law-abiding gun owner misses the point. All of it’s feeding into America’s addiction to guns.

DriveWithCompassion is recommending the below solutions in order to eradicate the mass shooting epidemic in the US.
1. Ordinary citizens should NOT be allowed to own any firearms other than a regular pistol that shoots 6 bullets, one at a time. 2. Require all gun owners to purchase gun insurance.
3. Ban ALL Military Style Weapons.
4. Education. – People need to understand that guns are bad news. Just like drugs are bad news. Guns should NOT be a hobby or a pastime. It’s killing our society. Instead of hunting animals or shooting clay pigeons, take your family out to dinner. Instead of your teenagers playing Mortal Combat type games for 5 hours a day, have them volunteer at an animal shelter.

There’s no place for guns in the digital age. Millennials and Generation Z don’t want our guns, greed and wars. It’s time to repeal the 2nd Amendment and replace it with common sense gun control. It’s supposed to be lives before profits. Not the other way around.

Thank you for hearing me out.

I am 52 years old today – I’m still the same

It was 1975 – I’m still the same

My goal from here is very simple: I just want to see my Wolfpack live out their lives safely and happily. And I’d like to meet and connect with nice people along the way.

I don’t care about things like travel and culture. You can put me at the Sistine Chapel or Dunkin Donuts, it’s the same experience for me. It’s about the people I’m spending spending time with. I’ve been this way my whole life just like here in the picture in 1975. I was 6 years old.

It would be nice If my human family and I can cross paths again in these later chapter years. But whether it’s this or that, I’m a simpleton. I just want to grab some coffee, (sometimes wine) and talk animals, Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Def Leppard and Madonna.

That’s my full picture friends. It’s not sexy. But, it’s my truth.

My birthday wish is for people from around the world to please Drive With Compassion. There are stray animals in the street.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Sammy and Patrick’s human dad and General to the greatest Wolfpack in the history of the world. Wolfpack 8 to be precise.

This Is No Ordinary Love – 4 Years Ago Today

I rescued Lucky on May 10th, 2017. It was one of the greatest days of my life.


It was a random Wednesday evening on May 10th, 2017 in Puerto Rico. I was feeling kind of restless and hungry and went to a local eatery for a sandwich. As I was eating, I started gazing out the window spaced out and preoccupied. I felt agitated and unsettled. Then I noticed this sweet boy in the picture posted with me living alone on the street.

I decided to buy him some food and sit down with him. I was so enamored with him that I couldn’t even see straight. Meeting this boy was a life changing experience. I pulled him off the street and had him boarded in a very fun place for 5 weeks. Every Saturday and Sunday I went to visit him. At this point I knew him and I were forever. I took him home and named him Lucky.

The truth is, the world wasn’t big enough for us to not find each other. This had to happen.

In September of 2017, Hurricane Maria pummeled Puerto Rico. As many of you might remember, “I launched the Lucky In Love Relief Fund for Stray Animals in Puerto Rico.” We raised $7,000 and bridged a good amount of stray animals back to life.

When Patrick was killed in August of 2018, Lucky would press his head into my chest several times a day. He knew that’s where the pain was. He did the same when Sammy died on January 30th, 2020.

I’m so in love with Lucky that I coined the phrase and created a T-shirt that says “I Love My Dog Like A Crazy Potato” on the front. And on the back it says, “Love Doesn’t Have To Make Sense.

4 years ago today, I told the world “This is No Ordinary Love.” That still holds true today on May 10th, 2021.

Please Remember to Drive With Compassion. There are stray animals in the street.

The Munchkins had Mother’s Too – Happy Mother’s Day

From Left to Right, Henry, and Patrick


It’s easy to forget the mothers of our beloved pets because most of us never met them. But without them, we wouldn’t have been gifted all these angels that came into our lives, made our lives and gave our lives purpose.

In the picture here is Henry on the left, Sammy in the middle and Patrick on the right. Today, only Henry is alive. I would imagine that all 3 of their mother’s have passed by now. But, if I could speak to them, I would let them know how sorry I am about what happened to Patrick and how Sammy passed. It’s truly a story of tragedy. Both of their deaths, especially Patrick’s were life wipe-outs. Of course, I would also tell them Henry is still doing great. At 12 years old he can still jump up on the couch.

I got Sammy, Henry and Patrick in pet stores. Today, I wouldn’t purchase a pet. I believe in “Adopt don’t Shop” 100 percent. While, I am sure there are some responsible breeders, it’s not right to profit off of creating life when we don’t really know where the animals will end up, and the fact that millions of sheltered animals are holding their breath waiting to be adopted for free.

Now, I recognize that pets being sold in pet stores are Not aware of the vicious cycle they’re inside of. From their perspective, they’re in a cage and want to be adopted also. This is why puppy mills and breeders need to stop the cycle.

Today, 5 of my 6 dogs are strays that I pulled right off the street in Puerto Rico. I even did a video with Lucky and Sammy highlighting that a stray animal or shelter animal can make as good a pet as any dog. I think maybe even better.

The Wolfpack and I march on in the name of Sammy, Patrick, DriveWithCompassion and all of the Wolfpack’s mothers and the mothers in our communities from around the world.

Forest Gump’s mother was right, “Death is part of life.” And Forrest was right when he said “I sure wish it wasn’t.

I’m A Family Man

Left to right: Rocky, Polar Bear and Lucky

We are not a traditional family. But, a family nonetheless. I would swim across oceans and move mountains for these boys. Tending to their needs has given my life purpose. We march on in the name of Sammy, Patrick and DriveWithCompassion.

Not bad for three strays from the streets of Puerto Rico. Remember, please Drive With Compassion. There are stray animals in the street.

Justice For George Floyd Delivered – Thank You Darnella Frazier

Darnella Frazier Delivered Justice For George Floyd with her Courage, poise and Smartphone

17 year old Darnella Frazier is the one who filmed the Derek Chauvin murder of George Floyd. It’s her video we’ve all been watching the past year. It’s her video that changed the world.

On Tuesday April 20, 2021, Derek Chuavin was convicted of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd’s death. He’s facing up to 40 years in prison.

Policing forever changed yesterday. The Police will no longer look the other way when their colleagues commit dastardly acts. Accountability is called to order. That’s a good thing for all communities.

Everyone knows we need the police. Nobody’s disputing that. But, we don’t need police like Derek Chauvin and the 3 complicit officers that just sat there and let the murder take place. We have to think of policing like we do pilots with airplanes. We expect perfection. Otherwise, people die.

Touchdown for humanity.

DriveWithCompassion is calling for Darnella Frazier to be Time Magazine’s Person of the Year