Patriot story: Thelma + Bruno (BETH WILL WRITE)

Adoption date: March, 2022 Pet details: 1 year-old mixed breed Branch of service: Air Force veteran Shelter and link to webpage: LifeLine at DeKalb County Animal Services,  http://petsforpatriots.org/partners/lifeline-at-dekalb-county-animal-services/

Pet's name
	Bruno
A little about me
	I live in Atlanta GA where I retired about 6 years ago. I live a quiet life. I just walk my dog. Read listen to music and ride my bike.
My military experiences
	I enlisted in the Air Force in June of 1970. I was bored with where my life was going after graduating from high school in San Diego. I thought the military would open some doors to other ways of life. It did I was stationed in Maine which is as far from San Diego as you can possible get. I was trained to be a disbursement accountant which is dealing with military pay and travel. From Maine I was sent to Turkey. Somewhere I had not even thought of. From there I was able to visit lots of countries in Europe. France, Germany, Italy and Belgium. I was later stationed at the Air Force finance center in Denver where I left the service after 4 years.
My most memorable experience from my time in service
	While visiting a friend in Germany we went to a little town called eubach that was having a festival with buckets of wine give to us with a ladle while a band in German costumes played. We dance and drank wine all afternoon. I met my first German boy with Gray eyes by the name of Hio like Ohio but not he said. We kept in touch until he got married.
Why I chose to adopt a pet
	My last dog of 8 years bit me severely and I became a afraid of him. I was able to re home him through a website called Get my pet. But I missed going for walks and the companionship that we once had. While looking on line at Fulton County Shelter I found the program.
Why I chose to adopt through Pets for Patriots
	It was mentioned on the Fulton County shelter website and also on the Dekalb county website as well. And it was free. Always good when you are on a fixed income.
How my adopted pet has changed my life
	Bruno is a handful but that is a good thing. He gives me a reason to get up and get going. He gives me something to do besides just watching TV. I am trying to get him to calm down when visitors come by. He is better but I think he is younger than I was told. I feel better about my life because I have given him a home and he is keeping me young.
What I love most about my new pet friend
	He loves to go for walks. He likes playing in the backyard but has yet to understand how fetch works. He has learned to shake and lie down on cue. He already knew how to sit.
What I would tell other veterans who might be thinking about adopting through Pets for Patriots
	Yes. It is a good program you get a pet for free and you are given a gift certificate to help with supplies. And the vet that came to check out Bruno took 10.00 off because was a veteran.

4/12/2022 FROM SHELTER: I just wanted to give a quick update on Thelma and Luxio! Firstly, Thelma came in with a personalized collar that said "Bruno," so that's his new name! She was so happy to take him home. And Bruno was even more excited! It took him a second to recognize her from their previous meeting, but once he did, he was very generous with his kisses! (Picture attached). You all are doing wonderful things! Thank you! Alyssa Bittinger