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Home › Dog tales › After three deployments Army veteran a first time dog adopter

After three deployments Army veteran a first time dog adopter

December 16, 2013Dog tales

Marcus and Rocky

After three deployments with the Army, one veteran decided to fulfill a lifelong dream and become a first-time dog adopter. In turn, the dog he rescued from shelter life returned the favor by breathing new life into his blended family of five children and new wife.

Marcus joined the United States Army in July 1996 and left active duty in 2001, returning to full-time duty with the National Guard in 2006. His most memorable time in service, however, was a once in a lifetime experience:

“Coming home from Kosovo to watch my son be born.”

During his more than eleven years of active duty, Marcus served on three deployments, including a tour in Germany from which he was deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo. In 2009, he was honored as Indiana Soldier of the Year.

New wife, new life…and a dog

In 2012, Marcus and Marsha married; between them they had five children from their prior marriages. In spite of having a full house, the pair decided to add another family member to the mix.

“Since we were newlyweds and our kids were getting older,” says Marcus, “Marcia suggested we get a dog.”

Little did Marsha know that her new husband had always longed for a canine companion. Marcus and Rocky

“I had never owned a dog in my life before,” the Army veteran says, “but have always wanted one, so choosing to adopt Rocky was very easy.”

In November 2012, Marcus found his new best friend at the Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a Pets for Patriots adoption partner. Rocky is a Labrador-Retriever mix and, as a large dog at the time of adoption, eligible for benefits through the nationwide charity that help make pet adoption more affordable and achievable for veterans.

“We chose this program,” says Marcus of Pets for Patriots, “because it focuses on saving pets that would otherwise be left behind in a shelter.”

Pets eligible for the Pets for Patriots program include adult and special needs animals, as well as large dogs, regardless of age – collectively the animals most overlooked for adoption.

“Pets for Patriots made the [adoption] process so easy,” says the Army veteran, “they were very informative.”

Best of all, the charity helped make it possible for Marcus to be a hero once more.

“We got save a dog from a place he didn’t want to be, and bring him home.”

Rescued, Rocky returns the favor

Ask anyone who has a rescued pet and he or she will tell you that an animal knows when he has been saved. It was no different for Rocky. In return for a new home, a new family and a new leash on life, Rocky has invigorated the Army veteran and father to five.

“Rocky has given me a new sense of well being,” says Marcus. “He has been a great companion and running mate. It’s fun to train and teach him, and to see how easily he adapts to his new surroundings.”

In some respects, Marcus compares Rocky to “having a new kid around,” albeit a very large and energetic one. Of his new companion, the Army veteran is clear about one thing:

“Definitely has made life fun again.”

Having experienced pet adoption and ownership for the first time in his life, Marcus recommends that other veterans find their new pet friends through Pets for Patriots, too.

“Do it; don’t wait,” he says. “It’ll be one of the best choices you could make in your life, and you’ll save a pet’s life as well.”

What is your fondest memory from the first time you adopted a pet?
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4 comments

  1. Sandra stewart says:
    May 25, 2014 at 11:42 am

    I would to adopt a small older pomerian as a companion I never go any where and if I do I would take him I have a small older Pom I got from a puppy mill I have had him 5years he wants a little buddy to play with7

  2. In Honor of Our Troops Foundation says:
    February 23, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    Please visit our site, click the Vacations for Vets link. We help wounded warriors, service men, women and veterans reconnect with their families after war and separations.

  3. constance klagge says:
    December 17, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    awesome job, so glad you, your family and Rocky are all happy. Their are so many animals to be rescued and so many people like you who save a life. All of my dogs and cats are rescues, whether adopted or rescued myself. Animals are very special and bring alot of unconditional love with them.

    1. Betty says:
      December 18, 2013 at 3:24 am

      Congratulations all around!!! Lucky Rocky & lucky family!!! He’s SO beautiful!!! I respect ANYONE who adopts an animal (of any kind) from a shelter!!! 🙂 This beautiful boy will repay you for adopting him a 1000 x’s over, I promise you that!!! I’ve always been around dogs, but my husband (of 7 years) had never really been around them too much & had never adopted one from a shelter until we did… …BEST DECISION that we every made!!! 🙂 Isn’t it funny how a dog can make us human again?!! Looks like you have “a keeper” there w/Rocky! 😉 Good luck w/him & many years of happiness to you, your wife (I hope you gave her a BIG KISS for making THAT suggestion “Lets get a dog…” …She was RIGHT ON TARGET w/that!) and your Children!!! Also, …THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking care of us all (via the Military)!!! Merry Christmas to all of you & God Bless!!!

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Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!! Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!!
**Application window for Hairy's adoption closes t **Application window for Hairy's adoption closes today May 31!!**

This amazing Dog In Residence at @bobbyhotel is ready to check out of the hotel forever and into a loving home with a veteran living within 40-driving miles of our partners @NashvilleHumane! 

Click the link in our bio to apply. Hurry; Hairy's waiting!

Gratitude to @todayinnashville for sharing Hairy's need. 🥰

#adoptdontshop #nashville #nashvilletn #teamrwb #petsforvets #dogtraining #traineddog #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #nashvillehumaneassociation #petsforpatriots #bobbyhotel
Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being a hero to a pet in need!

Keisha serves in the Army National Guard and just added two year-old Toby to her pack. Thanks to our partners @bmorehumane Toby's adoption fee was waived, and this big pup's 'welcome home' gift card and year of post-adoption follow up are generously sponsored by a grant we received from @veteransunitedfoundation ...woot!!

#army #armystrong #armynationalguard #nationalguard #femaleveteran #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #hounds #houndsofinstagram #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #petsforvets #baltimore
On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces - and give gratitude and comfort to our Gold Star families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

The holiday is not about the sales, the barbecues, the day off from work. But that our lives as we know them were made possible in large part by brave souls who died in service, please pause from whatever you are doing today to remember that freedom is not free - and while all veterans give some, some have given all.

#memorialday #memorialday2023 #honorthefallen #honorvets #freedom #freedomisntfree #freedomisnotfree #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #goldstarfamilies #ultimatesacrifice #somegaveall
**THIS** is what rescued looks like/sounds like: **THIS** is what rescued looks like/sounds like:

"She has been such a joy to me. She loves me and I love her. Thank you assisting me with giving her a forever home." ~ Lisa, Army veteran, on her one-year adoption anniversary to Nala.

The now 8 year-old cat was in the care of our partners @phillypaws which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program. Please consider older pets when you adopt; they have so much joy to give!

#adoptaseniorcat #adoptaseniorpet #cats_of_instagram #catsofinstagram #catsofig #rescuecatsofinstagram #rescuecat #armyveteran #femaleveteran #armystrong #philadelphia
Pets for Patriots alums Chadwick (black dog) and 1 Pets for Patriots alums Chadwick (black dog) and 12 year-old Bowser (brown dog) on a little @petsmart shopping spree!

Bowser was adopted in 2012 and is now battling terminal cancer. His mom and dad tell us that his diagnosis doesn't stop Bowser from enjoying life to the fullest, whether that's shopping with brother Chadwick, visiting the beach, or ending the day with a nice puppacino!

#caninecancer #adoptdontshop #seniorpets #seniorpetsofig #seniordogsofinstagram #twoisbetterthanone #shoppingspree #sandiego #dogsonthebeach
Zinger's ship just came in when Sonia, active duty Zinger's ship just came in when Sonia, active duty Navy, saw this precious 2 year-old pupper and said, "Let's sail away."

Another great adoption through our partners @chesapeakehumane - and made possible thanks to a generous grant from our friends at @veteransunitedfoundation ...anchors aweigh! ⚓

#cutedogsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #navyveteran #femaleveteran #navy #navylife #chesapeakeva #muttsrule #muttsofinstagram
There's just something about Hairy! For the past y There's just something about Hairy!
For the past year this handsome hound has been the resident dog ambassador at @bobbyhotel where he's been a guest favorite, greeting all visitors (2- and 4-legged alike). 

Now it's Hairy's time to check out of the hotel and into the home of a U.S. veteran living within a 40-mile driving distance to our partners @nashvillehumane.

Application deadline is Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

What you should know about Hairy:
❤ Loves frolicking in the yard and working on his frisbee-catching skills
❤ Adores car rides - a great travel buddy!
❤ Visits to the beach? Yes, please!
❤ Expert snuggler, couch curler-upper
❤ Active household that loves adventure - a must!
❤ Good with both dogs and cats...furreal!

Veterans living within 40 driving miles of our partners Nashville Humane Association must apply both to the shelter and Pets for Patriots by Monday, May 31. Hurry for Hairy!

Apply to NHA: https://nashvillehumane.org/news/nha-pets/hairy/

Apply to PFP: https://pfp.care/adopt

Stay tuned in the coming weeks to meet Hairy's new humans! P.S. Click the link in our bio to learn more about this exciting 'Hotel to Home' partnership!
It’s Monday. Berry says please come back Tuesday It’s Monday. Berry says please come back Tuesday. ❤️ #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram #olddogsrule #olddogsofinstagram #seniorpets #adoptaseniordog #adoptaseniorcat #americanbully #muttsrule #pibble #pibblesofinstagram #dontbullymybully
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