Member Log In

Pets for Patriots

Companion pet adoption for United States military veterans and service members

  • Adopt a pet
    • How it works
    • Veteran benefits
    • Program availability
    • Proof of service
    • Eligible pets
    • Pre-qual application
  • Be a veterinary partner
    • How it works
    • Benefits
    • Criteria & eligibility
    • Application
  • Be a shelter partner
    • How it works
    • Benefits
    • Eligible pets
    • Criteria & eligibility
    • Application
  • Donate Now
    • Donate online
    • Ways to give
    • Spread the word
  • More
    • About us
      • Vision
      • Mission
      • Our team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial accountability
      • Year in review
      • Program availability
    • Making an impact
      • Forget Me Not
      • The Wet Nose Blog
      • Partner News
      • Donor News
      • Home at last
      • Welcome Home
      • Hotel to Home
    • Friends & Partners
      • Veterinarian partners
      • Shelter partners
      • Sponsors
      • Banfield
      • VIP Petcare
      • Community partners
    • Resources
      • Donor FAQ
      • Veteran FAQ
      • Shelter FAQ
      • Veterinarian FAQ
      • Other resources
    • Connect with us
      • In the news
      • Free wallpaper
      • Contact us
Wet Nose Blog
Home › Dog tales › Bond between Army veteran and pint-sized pup endures years after adoption

Bond between Army veteran and pint-sized pup endures years after adoption

January 29, 2018Dog tales

Bond between Army veteran and pint-sized pup endures years after adoption

Stormy and Muchacho were adopted in 2013 when the pint-sized pup stole her heart and those of her children. Years later their bond not only endures, but has grown even stronger.

Life after the Army

In August, 2017 Stormy retired from the United States Army after serving our nation for 20 years. During that time she remarried another career Army officer who retired after 22 years of service. Stormy now works as a program manager for a veteran-owned healthcare company.

Life has changed “tremendously” since the Army veteran adopted then two year-old Muchacho. The pint-sized pup is a black Chihuahua who at the time was in a Washington, DC-area animal shelter.

“Easton was only a freshman in high school when Pets for Patriots and Muchacho came into our lives, he is now a freshman at George Mason University,” Stormy says. “Kaitlyn is a freshman in high school and is very busy with lots of activities.” She adds that Muchacho tags along to those events where he is allowed to attend. Bond between Army veteran and pint-sized pup endures years after adoption

When the Army veteran remarried her household grew considerably. Her new husband, Terry, has four adult sons, and brought a “fur brother” for Muchacho. His name is Archie.

The blended family is big, busy and partly scattered across the country.

“Three of our sons are attending college in the Northern Virginia area,” says Stormy. “Our daughter is in high school. Two of our sons live out of state and have pursued careers of their own, and are starting families of their own.”

The couple are soaking in their post-Army life. And their two small dogs are a big part of their world.

“Terry and I enjoy spending our time walking Muchacho and Archie – “the boys” – around the neighborhood, cuddling with them while watching a movie, and taking them on weekend getaways any time we can.”

How a pint-sized pup stole a military family’s heart

Muchacho chose a most unlikely family to adopt him.

At the time, Stormy was a single mother raising two children. While her son Easton had always wanted a dog, daughter Kaitlyn was afraid of animals. For her part, Stormy grew up with dogs and missed having them in her home.

“One day Kaitlyn, out of the blue, declared she wanted a dog and was no longer afraid of them,” Stormy recounts. “So after careful consideration we searched and searched through several shelters to find the right fur baby to add to our family.”

There are many benefits to children growing up with dogs, but it is important not to introduce any pet into a household with kids without first doing research. Fortunately, Stormy did her homework – and her legwork, too.

“After about six visits to different shelters we finally found our fur baby to bring home with us, one that made us all smile,” she says. “His name was Muchacho and he was perfect for our family.”

The veteran and the pint-sized pup were adopted through our partnership with the Washington Animal Rescue League. The shelter has since merged with the Washington Humane Society. Both were Pets for Patriots shelter partners, and the newly merged organization is known as Humane Rescue Alliance.

The shelter’s Oglethorpe and New York Avenue locations have continued the previous partnership with our charity. They offer veterans in our program half-off adoption fees when adopting program-eligible pets.

Looking for an overlooked pet

Stormy had many good reasons to adopt through Pets for Patriots. Chief among them is our exclusive focus on the more overlooked, undervalued dogs and cats.

We champion adult, special needs, and long-term homeless dogs and cats, as well as larger breed dogs. These are the animals that are most likely to die or languish in chronic homelessness if not adopted.

Bond between Army veteran and pint-sized pup endures years after adoption

“I wanted an adult dog and wanted to adopt a dog that was in a shelter that we could bring love to and a forever home,” Stormy says.

Lifetime costs of pet guardianship figured into the Army veteran’s calculus as well. First-year costs alone are estimated at a minimum of $1,000 depending upon species, size of the pet, medical conditions, and other factors.

“Adopting a pet can be expensive, and being a single parent at the time I decided to do research on organizations that support veterans adopting animals,” Stormy says. “Because of the cost of adoption fees and being a single parent, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without their partnership with the humane society.”

The Army veteran realized that any companion pet would become part of her pack.

“Pets for Patriots has provided our family with an opportunity to not only adopt an animal, but placed us in a place to add to our family.”

Little dog with big benefits

Muchacho may be a pint-sized pup, but he has an oversized impact on the people who he knows as family. He entertains with his antics, gives comfort to Stormy when her husband is away, and acts as guardian to his human sister.

“Muchacho has provided us with so much laughter, cuddling, protection, and just simply love. He is a fun little guy who loves to give kisses and have his belly rubbed,” Stormy shares. “On the nights when my husband is away for travel, Muchacho – and Archie too – cuddle up next to me and keep me warm. I know that when our daughter is out walking the boys in the neighborhood she is safe as they will protect her at all times.”

The Army veteran knows that their relationship is mutual.

“It’s those basic needs that we need that they provide us,” she explains, “just as we provide it for them.”

More than a dog

Animal shelters and rescues provide refuge for animals who are homeless through no fault of their own. Stormy sees the invaluable role they play in saving lives by giving hard-luck pets the chance to be adopted. She notes that the shelters we partner with “ensure their temporary residents receive love and the care they deserve until they find their forever homes.”

The little black Chihuahua who won over Stormy back in 2013 still holds a special place in her heart.

“He is more than a dog in our home. He is truly our family member and our lives would not be the same without him.”

Stormy had many options for companion pet adoption when she chose to adopt through Pets for Patriots. While the cost-saving benefits were a factor, it was our singular commitment to the most overlooked animals that made the difference.

“It isn’t always about the financial support that was provided for adopting him, but also about the fact their focus is on finding the forever home for animals that are hard to adopt,” she says. “Their program allows for dogs who are older, larger, or have a special need to be the focus of the search. This is what I was looking for all along.”

PreviousNext

2 comments

  1. Alyson says:
    February 9, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Thank you so much for your service – and for adopting Muchacho!! You have such a big heart – and it looks like Muchacho is very happy to be a part of your wonderful family.

  2. Mary Eaton says:
    February 1, 2018 at 11:43 am

    Hi Stormy,
    Thank you for telling your story and taking Muchacho into your fold. I too have a small Chihauhau (mix) who keeps me company. I commend you for adopting an older dog who has found a good “fit” in your household. And kudos to Kaitlyn for speaking up once she’d determined she was ready to make a new fur friend!
    Mary

Comments are closed.

Join the Conversation

  • Cat tales
  • Dog tales
  • Hope for a home
  • Mental health
  • Extra
  • Pet training & health
  • Donor News


Give with Confidence

logo logo logo logo
Make a donation today
email-icon

Did you enjoy this story?
Don’t miss the next one.

Sign up for our newsletter and get stories like these directly in your inbox.


The Dodo and GEICO honor Pets for Patriots adoptions by sharing their heartwarming tales

WATCH THE VIDEOS

Petco Foundation

PetMeds Logo 300x250

Shop 1800PetMeds for all of your pet’s health needs and we’ll get 10% of your purchase!

Shop Bissell Today!

Shop BISSELL for your home cleaning needs and they will donate 10% of your purchase to us!

Join the Conversation

Stay Connected

Join the conversation, read recent adoption stories, view featured pets needing new homes and more.

Twitter

@petsforpatriots

Follow Us

Instagram

@petsforpatriots

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
Follow Us

© 2023 Pets for Patriots, Inc. | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Contact us

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.