Baldomero’s young family is used to being on the move. Their travels now include a senior dog who rounds out their trio of rescue pups.

Triumph over tragedy

Baldomero serves in the Army, guided by a strong sense of purpose and heart. His journey started in 2008, after graduating high school, and was shaped by the terror attacks years earlier that changed our nation forever.

The young teen wanted to make a difference and felt driven to enlist.

“I’ve always wanted to join the Army ever since watching the September 11th attacks,” he explains. “I wanted to do my part and will continue to do so.”

Service became more than a career for the young soldier. It became a promise to uplift others around him.

Leadership defines Baldomero’s tenure in uniform. Seventeen years of service bring responsibility, trust, and a deep connection to other soldiers. He finds meaning in caring for others and building strong teams.

“A positive experience I’ve had was having soldiers tell me that my influence and mentorship has changed their lives for the better,” he shares. “One soldier was able to overcome their obstacles even after being at their lowest point. They knew they always had someone available they could trust and confide in.”

Baldomero’s ability to help bring positive change in others continues to this day, both in his military and personal lives.

And then there were three

Since 2019 Baldomero believed that the family’s senior Dachshund, Irene, would benefit from a canine companion. But the timing was never right. Five years later while stationed at Fort Drum in upstate New York, the Army veteran took notice of another old dog who needed a friend as well.

At the time Pumba was a nine year-old Dachshund in the care of Jefferson County SPCA. Since 2021 the shelter offers members of our program $100 off adoption fees. Together we have more than 40 successful adoptions.

Shelter staff told Baldomero about our companion pet adoption program and its many benefits. He applied and adopted Pumba the very same day we approved his application.

“Pets for Patriots is a fantastic program!” he says.

“We heard about it through the SPCA and after reading through the services provided, it was the right choice to make.”

Little is known about Pumba’s prior life or how he found himself in an animal shelter. But to Baldomero that mattered little. His lifelong commitment to give care and compassion to others now included this old, homeless dog.

So in October 2024 Pumba became the newest member of the Army veteran’s young family, whose other four-legged members include Irene and Juno, another rescued Dachshund.

On the road again

Despite Baldomero’s military achievements, family remains the steady center of his life. However, the demands of his Army career are punctuated with moments of uncertainty and upheaval.

Change arrived again in 2025 in the form of a permanent change of station, or PCS. Baldomero received orders to relocate from Fort Drum in upstate New York to his new duty assignment: a sprawling military base on the West Coast, near Puget Sound.

The young Army family—Baldomero, his wife, two children, and three Dachshund dogs—relocated to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.

Even when the family is on the move no one is left behind.

“…love for all senior dogs”

Now more than a year after his adoption, Pumba continues to prove that he earned his place in the pack.

“Pumba fit right in with our family,” Baldomero says. “He was exactly the younger brother [and] our 11 year-old Dachshund, Irene, needed.”

Often adding a slightly younger dog to energizes other dogs in the household. Such was the case with Pumba. Adopting him confirmed Baldomero’s years-long idea that Irene—the eldest of the pack—would benefit from a more youthful companion.

“We love how he brought more life to our other senior dog,” Baldomero says. “She’s been more active with him and they’re always together.”

Yet everyone slows down in the evenings, which are times for family togetherness.

“We love having both of them snuggle us on the couch while we watch TV and snooze.”

Gratitude inspires Baldomero to encourage others to follow the same path and adopt a companion pet through our nationwide charitable program.

“I would highly recommend using Pets for Patriots to other veterans. It makes the adoption process easier.”

Perhaps the most important lesson the Army veteran learned from his adoption experience is that older pets’ lives have value. It is a wonderful lesson for his two young children, as well. Not only did the family choose adoption over buying a pet, they chose an older dog who most people pass by.

The Army veteran credits Pumba for changing his family’s perspective on mature pets—for the better.

“Since having him,” Baldomero shares, “we’ve had the biggest heart and love for all senior dogs.”