Patriot story: Phyllis + Squeaky

Adoption date: 9/21 Pet details: 10 year old Chihuahua with alopecia, heart murmur, luxating patella, nuclear sclerosis in both eyes, skin sensitivities. Branch of service: Air Force veteran Location: Maryland Shelter and link to webpage:  Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland, https://petsforpatriots.org/partners/senior-dog-sanctuary-of-maryland/

A little about me
	I retired from nursing after 42 years. I spent 28 years working in military hospitals such as Travis AF hospital, Mishawaka AF hospital, Walter Reed Medical Center and Bethesda military hospital. Now my daughter and I take care of senior dogs with disabilities. I live in a retirement community and there are many senior dogs here. Annapolis is dog friendly.
My military experiences
	I entered the service with my six cousins. We all felt a duty to help U.S. during the Vietnam war. I enlisted in Air Force and the others in different branches. I started working on General floor and ended as a case manager for Wounded Warriors. This is why I like taking care of dogs with disabilities. I have a senior dog who has cancer and is partially blind. Squeaky was taken from a hoarder. Her back is bent from being squeezed in a cage.
My most memorable experience from my time in service
	I loved working in military hospitals because everyone is so grateful for the care. I had a young soldier (18 yrs)who broke his back while on duty. He was paralyzed from waist down. I was able to get him a sedgway which enabled him to live independently. He was able to stand up and move everywhere. This made my heart so happy.
Why I chose to adopt a pet
	I always wanted a dog growing up. I couldn’t have one because my family lived in a small apartment. When I went into the military, I inherited a dog from my roommate who was deployed overseas. Since then I have always had a dog or 2 or 3. Now I’m old and retired and needed a I could take care of and my other dog needed a companion. Squeaky is special because he was never hugged or socialize while he was with a hoarder.
Why I chose to adopt through Pets for Patriots
	I found out about your program from my daughter. She also takes care of senior disabled dogs. She has Thelma who has cancer and can barely walk and Louise who has one eye.
How my adopted pet has changed my life
	I feel good about helping dogs most people don’t want. These are castaways that aren’t puppies and have imperfections. Squeaky hides under a blanket, afraid to come out. I work with her to not be afraid and cuddle her often. She is so loving and you know seniors need to be loved and feel they are still responsible people.
What I love most about my new pet friend
	Squeaky loves to go on walks. She helps me get the exercise I need each day. I taught her how to bark while I sing a song and dance. She loves that. I’m teaching her she has her own dish of food and she doesn’t have to eat out of a common dish.
What I would tell other veterans who might be thinking about adopting through Pets for Patriots
	I think your program is great. Disabled dogs need someone who understand them. Dogs love unconditionally. I think senior dog sanctuary and aspca are wonderful organizations that care about life be it perfect or imperfect.

1/31/22: Thelma is the white skinny one who has malignant cancer. Louise is the white one with one eye. They were found on a roadside. The doxie is Sparkey who lives with me and squeaky. He has malignant cancer. The brown one is Squeaky who is learning to be around humans.  My daughter and I love these dogs and want to give them a happy rest of their lives. 9/19 Thank you so much for your help Squeaky is perfect for me. She has so much love to give. Thank you for the card. Going to get her a leash and food today.