It is often said that our pets choose us. So when a petite Pittie made a heartfelt appeal to an Army veteran he felt compelled to save her.

Born to serve

Doug spent most of his life serving others. He enlisted in the Army and served as a military police officer (MP), later an investigator.

Over the course of his military career Doug rose to the rank of staff sergeant. He was stationed overseas in Korea and Enewetak Atoll, and stateside at Fort Ritchie, Maryland.

The Army veteran still remembers one of his most unusual experiences. He was serving in Korea and his team discovered an unsecured tank.

“I was in the 2d MP Company, 2d Infantry Division,” he says.

“The commanding general was on a kick about unsecured vehicles. Well, we found an unsecured tank.”

One of the other MPs had served previously as a tanker, so Doug and his crew drove the vehicle to the MP station. The general was not amused.

“People all over we getting chewed out,” Doug says of the reprimands.

That humorous memory reminds Doug of the camaraderie forged during service. It is often what veterans tell us they miss most when they reintegrate to civilian life.

After separating from the Army, Doug pursued related careers in law enforcement. He served as a Baltimore County Police officer and subsequently as district court commissioner for the state of Maryland.

In time the Army veteran was ready to retire for good and start a new chapter. Little did he know that a rescued Pit Bull would be part of his life’s story.

“…that’s your dog”

Retirement came five years ago, but the quiet at home felt heavy.

After the passing of previous pets, the house Doug shares with his wife no longer echoed with the sound of paws or playful energy. The couple missed the companionship of a four-legged family member.

“It was lonely knocking around the house without a pet,” Doug says.

So the couple decided they would adopt one.

In April 2025, Doug and his wife visited Baltimore Humane Society. The shelter offers our veterans and Gold Star spouses fee-waived adoptions and ten percent off wellness services at their onsite wellness clinic.

To date, Baltimore Humane Society has made almost 150 adoptions through our partnership.

Shelter staff told Doug about our work together and all of the benefits he could receive.

It was during this visit that a somewhat petite Pittie mix named Pico—since renamed Luna—caught Doug’s eye. Or more precisely, the Army veteran caught her attention.

The connection was instant.

“When we were meeting Luna she walked up to me, wrapped her paws around me and gave me a wet, slobbery kiss,” he says.

“My wife said, ‘that’s your dog,’ and we adopted her.”

Got your six

That was April 2025. Since then the pretty Pittie’s big personality started to emerge. Doug describes her as playful, loyal, and quirky, and laughs when talking about her favorite adventures.

“Luna loves to go to Assateague Island,” he says.

“Sticks her head out the window and watches the horses and other wildlife there.”

Adoption is just one part of our mission to help people save pets and pets save people. Equally important is nurturing the bond that forms between them. Adoption truly makes a difference only when it is supported by programs that prevent pets from being surrendered later on.

Our year of post-adoption follow up is a big part of that support. Doug knows he has real people backing him—people who are committed to helping his bond with Luna last a lifetime.

The Army veteran feels a genuine sense of connection with our team and sees how deeply we care about the long-term success of his relationship with Luna.

“That you are great partners to have when adopting a pet.”

“She owns us”

The bonds forged during military service are difficult, if not impossible, to recreate in civilian life. But most veterans tell us that their adopted pets help fill that void better than anything, or anyone.

Luna is no exception.

Life feels brighter with Luna around. She has filled her new home with the love of a dog who knows she has been saved.

Doug reflects on the transformation he credits to his honey-coated Pittie girl.

“She has changed our lives by being the best pet we’ve ever owned,” he says. “I take that back. She owns us.”