Patriot story: Margarita + Sky

Margarita is Air Force National Guard.  In 2018 she adopted a Chihuahua mix named Sky from Blount County Animal Center.  She currently resides with her husband (also in the military) and her pack. Her story (quotes below): I was born and raised in a small eastern European country. My father served in the Air Force. I grew up surrounded by airplanes and men in uniforms, I always loved military mentality, lifestyle and the smell of jet fuel on my dad’s flight suit; I guess I can say I was born with military in my DNA. However, where I come from, women do not serve in the military. Growing up, I wished to be a flight attendant. That is the closest a girl from my country could get to airplanes and uniforms. When I came to the U.S. in 2013, I started noticing women in uniform. I admired them. They all were like Wonder Women to me, someone I could only dream to be. I mean, I am not from here. I am not good, smart, strong enough – those were torturing, annoying thoughts. One day I heard of Air National Guard and bingo! my eyes were open. I viewed it as a “part-time military” at the time. I put all my fears away and scheduled a meeting with a recruiter. Oh what a journey it was! One of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. Starting with ASVAB test which made no sense to my European brain (5 years later, I still think in metric and Celsius) and long, exhausting background investigation, I finally received my Basic Training dates. Eight-week long training at Lackland AFB, TX was intense, mentally and physically challenging, but I was ecstatic to finally be there. While most fellow trainees missed home, family and their normal lifestyle, I would get chills of excitement with every new day and accomplishment. I felt like I was living in an American movie and couldn’t wait to tell my friends and family about this amazing experience. Finally, my flight graduated on Christmas day with numerous honors:  on top of that, I received my certificate of Naturalization and became a proud American citizen on the same day. A lot of great things happened in the next two years. By the end of Basic Military Training I knew military was where I belonged. I worked really hard; my eagerness and dedication did not go unnoticed, and it wasn’t long before I was hired for a full-time position with Kentucky Air National Guard. Sooner than I realized, I was getting close to the promotion time, and the last thing I had to accomplish before then, was to attend Airman Leadership School at McGhee Tyson AFB, TN. ALS program is designed to develop Airmen into effective supervisors and focuses on developing leadership abilities, the profession of arms, responsibility and effective communication. It was a great 24-day course with 14 amazing classmates from all over the U.S. A big part of our ALS course was taking an additional duty and staying responsible for it during the training period. Someone was assigned to be a physical training monitor, someone became an after class study coordinator; I was responsible for making sure my class performs volunteer work at a local community. I offered helping out at a local Blount animal shelter, and my class enthusiastically agreed. It was a beautiful, sunny September day. We all pitched in and bought plenty of dog/cat food, treats and toys for our new little friends. All day we played and wrestled with dogs outside, held cats, gave baths, cleaned and scrubbed the facility. The staff was so amazing. They told us about the shelter, about volunteering, and about Pets for Patriots program. It was late afternoon; all dogs were tired, cats were purring, every little shelter resident got plenty of hugs and treats. We took a group picture and said goodbyes to the staff and other volunteers – in those few hours, we became a family. I was stepping out the door when a tiny little creature caught my eye. I had to look closer to realize it’s a dog, an itty bitty skinny terrier with enormous ears. I couldn’t take  my eyes of her. Another volunteer told me she was surrended by her owner; due to malnutrition and neglect she completely lost her coat, several teeth and weighed just a little over 4 lbs – her tiny bones were showing through leathery skin. I’ve never seen eyes more sad. I couldn’t get little sad Sky out of my head. At night,  I teared up in my dorm room thinking how scared that tiny heart is right now, in a dark crate, feeling alone and abandoned.  I already had two happy pups waiting for me at home, and I had no thoughts of adopting more animals. But Sky’s sad eyes wouldn’t leave me alone. As soon as my class was over the next day, I went back to the animal shelter to meet Sky. I had to see her one more time. I found her in the arms of a volunteer (those people are true heroes), because poor girl wouldn’t stop shaking – she needed to feel human affection, otherwise, they feared, her tiny heart might give up. I sat next to the volunteer lady, and Sky, all 4 pounds of skin and bones, crawled into my lap. That moment I knew I won’t be going home to Kentucky without this little treasure. If my heart and home was big enough for two dogs, there was more than enough space for this sweet girl. Graduation was 10 days away, studying got intense, but I visited Sky almost every day – even if only for 30 minutes. I’d bring her (and other pups and cats) bags of good food and treats. Sky would not want to leave my lap and it was heartbreaking to leave her every time. I got in touch with Ted from Pets for Patriots. Sky was a special needs dog because of her health condition and dental problems caused by malnutrition and neglect. The more I learned about the program, the more I loved their mission. I wanted to adopt her through Pets for Patriots so both of us – Sky and I - could share our story and be advocates for pets still looking for their forever home. September 26^th of 2018 was a special day. Not only I graduated from Airman Leadership School, but I finally picked up Sky from the shelter and we headed home to Kentucky. Even 4 hours on the road showed a dramatic difference. She explored the car, looked outside the window and for the first time I noticed how long her cute little tail is – it was always tucked in when I visited her at the shelter. My English Mastiff Reese and yorkie mix Schatzi were quite surprised when their “hooman mom” showed up home with a new baby but they accepted her right away. It was so sweet to watch them all wrestle and cuddle. I was worried Sky will have a lot of behavior problems related to her past – it could’ve been anything. She did shake and whimper in her sleep. She did not enjoy her food – she’d simply inhale it with a few bites in a fear it will be taken from her. And the saddest thing – she did not believe she is at her forever home. While Reese and Schatzi would be ecstatic to meet me home after work, Sky would just lay in her little bed and watch them happily jump around me. Her little heart was broken by humans before, and she was afraid to love again. Just in a few months Sky dramatically changed. She gained weight quickly – I gave her only the best food. She learned to enjoy it; the variety of treats amazed her. Today she is 7 lbs and perfectly healthy! Her coat grew back - she is so fuzzy, prickly and funny. She stopped whimpering in her sleep – but now she barks when she wants to play with the yorkie sister or when she teases her Mastiff brother. Sky is the sweetest, most loved and loving, the happiest doggy there is – and now she is the first one to greet me at the door! What I love most about Sky is something we have in common. We both are stubborn, resilient and we are way stronger than we appear. We did not give up when the times got rough – we kept pressing on. If you believe in yourself  and refuse to give up, eventually your dreams will be within your reach. Be patient, be strong, and never quit.  As we say in the Air Force – aim high; sky is the limit!

9/25/2019 Dear Pets for Patriots, What an amazing year this was, full of cuddles, laughter, wagging tails and happy barks!! Sky is doing just great! She’s a little ball of energy, always wrestling with her pup-sister Schatzi and busy teasing her pup-brother Reese. She’s an absolute boss with no fear. Whatever happened in her before adoption, is forgotten and gone. She’s an extremely happy sweet little thing, loving everyone and everything. We had our vet appointment today. She is perfectly healthy. At the time of adoption, she was a little over 4 lbs. Today she is 7 lbs and has cutest little dimple on her booty! She likes to chew yummy stuff (especially treats that she steals from the Mastiff), so her dental health is good, too! She has a very warm, soft and cozy cave bed that she adores, but nothing can be better than sleeping right next to her “hoomans” - call her a Potsticker or Dumpling. She only sleeps under the blanket and snores like a little tractor. Thank you for this amazing opportunity to adopt her through Pets for Patriots program. As much as happy we are to have little Sky in our life, we never forget about other pups and cats still looking for the forever home. We will continue raise money, awareness, and spread the word of an amazing mission you carry. Much love Margarita, Darren, Sky, Schatzi and Reese =========== 4/29/2019 Hello Ted and Pets For Patriots team! Sky is doing just great!! She is a happy, healthy, active doggy with a great appetite and the sweetest attitude. Favorite things: a) cuddles, b) treats, c) chasing a lizard in the back yard, d) bossing brother Mastiff around. We are very happy to have her in our family. She is very loved!!! =========== 1/7/2019 thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to tell our story. I would absolutely love to do that. Please allow me couple of weeks. Sky is doing great! She is so so loved and so spoiled. I call her 'My little potsticker' because every night she sleeps under the covers with me and I feel the warmth of her little body when I'm falling asleep and when I am waking up. She gained some healthy weight, you can't see the contours of her bones anymore. She is also growing her coat back!! So cute and so prickly! As I said, I will be glad to share our story and possibly inspire other veterans to rescue their future best friend. =========== 10/26/2018 Dear Ted and Pets For Patriots team, Thank you for checking on Sky! Life is great. Our little girl is very loved and she is one happy doggy at our home here in Louisville, KY! She gets along great with her big brother Mastiff Reese and big sister Yorkie Schatzi. They play and wrestle all the time! Sky gained some healthy weight and her skin is shiny and smooth, no more skin and bones!! Her coat is coming back, I call her Little Peach because she is so cute and fuzzy. We ordered good food, treats, chews, shampoo and clothing with the gift card you sent us. She eats wet food twice a day and dry food is always available in her bowl between breakfast and dinner. Surprisingly, she adores dental chews - we hope it will help maintain good oral health! She is very active, healthy and curious. Sky loves hiking at the nearby park and on our last walk she played in the water!! Sky loves to cuddle, sleep under the covers and boss our Mastiff around - she’s such a Girlboss! At first she was a little confused at using a bathroom. She would pee on the training pads few times a day but once she learned the “outside” routine (5 times a day), she’s been great! I work full time at the KY Air National Guard base but I am also agency represented fashion model. I am proud to tell you Sky had her first fashion photo shoot last Saturday for a fashion magazine with me! She is such a poser and she loves attention. The fashion editorial will be published in December issue - I will send the pictures once it the publication is out! I do not notice any behavior issues. My cousin who lives in England also has a Russian Toy terrier (surprise!! Sky is not a Chihuahua! Me and my cousin compared doggy pics, did a video call, and I also researched online videos and images - Sky is a Russian Toy of a rare “blue” color!) and her little Juanita is afraid of EVERYTHING. Sky is not like that, she barked maybe twice after adoption - and mostly because she wanted help getting on a couch. Very confident, curious, playful and dominant doggy. We love her very much. This coming weekend I will have a photo shoot in my uniform with Sky. I will be happy to share the images to promote Pets For Patriots and the the beautiful mission. As for now, here are a few images of our happy days with Sky! Thank you for all you do. V/r, SrA Margarita Wiles =========== 10/25/2018 Mastiff is Reese and big sister Yorkie is Schatzi. Hello Ted!! Thank you for checking on Sky - and thank you for HER!! She is extremely loved. When I met her at the shelter, she was very scared, constantly shaking, wouldn’t let anyone touch her and her skin was flaking bad. I was told she lost her coat and some teeth due to stress and neglect. Volunteers did an amazing job at helping her as much as they could but I think she could feel it’s not a “real” home. I visited her several times during the week before my graduation (btw - sewing on E-5 next month!!), sat next to her on the floor and she would finally let me touch her. I picked her up right after my graduation. As soon as she got in the car with me and my husband, she just exploded with joy! No more scared and shaking shelter Sky! Happy happy tail! She is curious, adventurous, fearless and happy doggy today. I was afraid she would fear people, other animals, objects, rain or ANYTHING but she is doing just great! Sky explored the whole house and backyard. We took her to the park and she loved the nature (mhh, creek - not so much!) She gets along great with our English Mastiff (he is a registered therapy dog - we volunteer at Veteran’s homes with him) and a Yorkie mix (we adopted her in Ramstein, Germany). I was so surprised when she took a leader position on the second day!! We are thrilled to have her. As a female, she immediately bonded with my husband Darren (he’s been in Air Force for 17 years now). Loves to cuddle and to be held! We got her a lovely doggy hut but sometimes she prefers sleeping in bed with us. Sky has a monster appetite. She is very skinny and seems like she never ate enough or had to go fight with other dogs for food - she simply inhales it. I feed her the best wet food for toy breeds and her skin is looking much better already. Who would’ve known - she’s CRAZY about... tuna!! She also gets chewy treats daily to get her teeth clean. She is playful and seems healthy so we probably won’t visit her vet before January - that’s our annual doggy check-up month. I am sending a few pictures, however, I plan on taking some professional images with her wearing my uniform to promote Pets for Patriots and to spread the word of the program. Thank you for all you do! Everyone who met Sky also heard about Pets for Patriots and how I adopted her. This is the main reason why I wanted to adopt her through this program -- to be a part of it and it! Please let me know if you have any questions and please let’s keep in touch. Thank you for our Sky - she is very, very loved! All the best, =========== 10/1/2018 Sky is one happy doggie at her new forever home! She is active, playful, affectionate and fearless. She gets along perfectly with our English Mastiff and already bosses him around. Me and my husband love her so much. Thank you for everything you do!! I will send pictures shortly. Respectfully, Margarita Wiles