It was an early summer day in 2024 when Nicholas walked into Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center with a quiet hope. Life has shifted many times, and he wanted a companion who could steady the next chapter.

Phoning home

In 2017 Nicholas enlisted in the Air Force. Four years at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois shaped him as a financial technician.

Two more years at Joint-Base Andrews in Maryland strengthened Nicholas’ skills as an in-flight service funds manager. In this role Nicholas was responsible to oversee finances and payments related to aircraft maintenance, operations, and personnel.

But it was not facts and figures that accounted for the young veteran’s most memorable military moment.

“My best experience was being able to fly on Air Force Two for one of their training flights,” he recalls.

The crew invited Nicholas to call someone during the flight—he chose his mother. It would be a moment that both would cherish.

“She was so confused and worried at first since they opened it with being a call from Air Force Two,” Nicholas says.

“But she shared the opinion of it being one of the coolest things we got to do together.”

Beautiful blessing

In 2023 Nicholas separated from service and remained in Virginia Beach for two years while attending school. Motorcycles, reading, and quality time with his fiancée filled his days.

Despite connections and community, Nicholas struggled to adapt to civilian life—so he thought about adopting a companion pet. One day while visiting Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center he learned about Pets for Patriots and our adoption programs for veterans and spouses of the fallen.

Since 2012 the shelter has made almost 140 adoptions through our partnership and offers our members half-priced adoption fees.

A shy, three year-old seal point cat named Mason caught Nicholas’ attention. Despite the cat’s aloof nature, Nicholas was smitten.

“My fiancée and I met her, and were ready to bring her home same day.”

And so in mid-June 2024 Nicholas welcomed Mason home. He soon renamed her Anongporn, which in Thai means ‘beautiful blessing.’ And he recommends other veterans and spouses of the fallen consider adopting through our organization.

“Pets for Patriots was an extremely simple and easy process,” he says.

“I would recommend it solely for the fact that they’re extremely supportive, and provide more resources than you could need.”

Triple tragedy

Almost from the start Anongporn brought a quiet hope that eased Nicholas’ anxiety and filled his days with gentle routine. He credits her with helping him through the transition to civilian life and unexpected personal tragedies that followed.

“Adopting Anong has helped me tremendously since I got out of the military with several mental health problems,” the airman shares, “not to add on separating and getting adjusted.”

Nicholas continued to immerse himself in the local motorcycle community, pursue his studies, and plan for a future life with his fiancée.

“Getting out of the military was a major adjustment, and being involved with a motorcycle community as big as Virginia Beach meant I got to meet several people and make friends, but also the added risk of losing some people,” he says. “I lost a really close friend about half a year after being there, just a couple blocks down from my apartment.”

Nicholas already had plans in place to move back home to Kansas to be with family and save money for a future home.

These plans—made in a more hopeful moment in his life—were soon dimmed by even more unimaginable loss.

Nicholas’ mother passed away one month before he returned to Kansas. Grief continued its reach when his step-father passed away five months later.

Friend in need

Throughout these various tragedies Anongporn was an always-there presence. Her calm, yet loving demeanor gives Nicholas the firm hand he needs to weather turbulent times.

“Each morning feels steadier now,” he says.

Despite Anongporn’s shy nature and preference to be left alone, she reserves her affections for her savior. She now cuddles and lets herself be pet for hours.

“While she’s still very shy, she’s very loving, which I immensely appreciate from her.”

But the fetching feline brings more than quiet hope to the home Nicholas shares with his fiancée.

Time has revealed a playful side. Anongporn enjoys chasing a cat ball or a little toy mouse. Nicholas imagines that it makes her feel ‘mighty.’

Above all, the Air Force veteran accepts Anongporn for who she is: a reserved cat who is sparing and selective with her affection. Qualities that give Nicholas a renewed sense of purpose—every day.

“I wouldn’t change anything about meeting and getting Anong,” he shares. “Even up to this day, it provides me more structured routine to start off my day and to get through it.”