This is a video of one of a homeless guy in Santa Barbara and his pets. You can see these guys every week working State St. for donations. The animals as you can see are pretty well fed and how mellow they are. They are, a family.
The man who owns them rigged a harness up for his cat so she wouldn't have to walk so much (like the dog and himself). At some juncture the rat came along and as no one wanted to eat anyone else, the rat started riding with the cat and often, on the cat !
The dog, will stand all day and let you talk to him and admire his altruistic nature for a few chin scratches.
The Mayor of Santa Barbara filmed this clip and sent it out as a Christmas card.