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 › Cat tales › Comical cat fills Army soldier’s empty nest and changes her lonely life

Comical cat fills Army soldier’s empty nest and changes her lonely life

March 8, 2021Cat tales

Comical cat fills Army soldier's empty nest and changes her lonely life

Waltyne may have left the Army, but in her heart she remains a soldier. So when the Army veteran found herself facing an empty nest she decided to fill it with a four-legged battle buddy.

“I will always be a soldier”

These days Waltyne calls Virginia her home. However, during her tour of duty in the Army home was where ever the military needed her to be. She served as an orthopedic specialist, a highly trained professional who assists physicians with a range of orthopedic injuries and conditions.

During her tour Waltyne served in duty stations both stateside and overseas. Closer to home she served out of New Jersey and Texas, respectively, and was stationed in Germany for a couple of years as well. To this day she misses serving in the military.

“Sometimes I wish I would have stayed in,” she shares. “I loved being in the Army. I will always be a soldier.”

Waltyne has particularly fond memories of her time in Texas. Like many veterans she misses the unique camaraderie shared with her fellow soldiers.

“My most memorable time in the military was my tour in Texas. I loved it there,” she says. “I had my medical training there and many life experiences. I met many friends.”

Much has changed for Waltyne since she separated from service. In 2017 she moved from Maryland to Virginia, where she works as a teacher. And the following year brought the Army veteran even bigger changes.

The soldier and her empty nest

While Waltyne was still living in Baltimore she felt the pangs of an empty nest. Her daughter went away to college and she was home alone.

For many veterans, the loneliness they feel in their personal lives only highlights the inability to recreate the intends bonds of their military service. Depression can follow if these feelings are left unaddressed.

However, Waltyne chose another path when she went to Baltimore Humane Society.

“I frequently visited the SPCA, and one day I learned about Pets for Patriots,” the Army soldier says.

Since 2013, Baltimore Humane Society has waived adoption fees for veterans in our program who rescue program-eligible dogs and cats. The staff told Waltyne about our partnership, which she felt was “an awesome program.”

Hoodwinked

Waltyne was approved into our program in May 2016, but it would be another six months until she met her match: a cat named Hoodie.

Like many animals entering shelters, little was known about Hoodie at the time. But he was a fetching, two year-old tabby cat with tiger-like markings and a big personality that belied his little size. He needed Waltyne as much as the Army soldier needed him.

“Hoodie is a character,” Waltyne says. “He is a very intelligent cat, so much so that he has so many characteristics of a dog.”

“…he really changed my lonely life”

The spirited feline gave Waltyne the companionship she needed. When the pair moved to Virginia the following year it helped the Army soldier to feel less alone in her new surroundings.

Comical cat fills Army soldier's empty nest and changes her lonely life

More good things followed the big move.

Waltyne married. Hoodie was smitten with her new husband. And the veteran started a new and satisfying career as a teacher.

It seems that adopting the comical cat was the first of other positive changes in the Army soldier’s world.

“Before I was married in 2018, Hoodie and I were all alone in Baltimore and he really changed my lonely life. He greeted me when I came home and stayed by my side until bed time,” Waltyne shares.

“When Hoodie and I moved to Virginia he took to my husband right away. They are two peas in a pod.”

The choice to adopt, not shop

Hoodie has developed some eccentric habits since his adoption. He is a stickler for mealtime and likes to lounge on the family cars.

“He literally lets us know when he is ready to eat at five am and then again at five pm, without fail. We can set our watch by his punctuality,” Waltyne says. “When outside in the yard he prefers to sit on the very top of any of the five vehicles we have. That king of the jungle syndrome kicks in.”

Hoodie has a sense of humor as well. He likes to take hats and frolic inside of them. The family’s new puppy is his latest plaything. And his endless antics are a never ending source of entertainment and joy for the Army veteran who rescued him.

“Hoodie is a blast, one funny cat. I truly love him,” she says, adding, “I wouldn’t trade him for anything.”

Waltyne could have chosen many paths to deal with the loneliness of an empty home. But she chose a positive, life affirming and lifesaving path when she decided to adopt a companion pet.

It is a decision that the Army veteran does not regret and that serves as a model for other people grappling with loneliness.

“Adopting a pet is such a rewarding and fulfilling experience,” she says. “Hoodie filled a void for me and I’m so glad we found each other.”

PreviousNext

4 comments

  1. Mary Eaton says:
    March 30, 2021 at 12:27 pm

    Thank you for your service Waltyne. Hoodie is quite a handsome guy with his striking coloring and those “Big Cat” eyes. A good addition to your home in company and entertainment!
    You summed up my thoughts in your closing paragraph. May you have continued happiness in your life journey.

  2. Cindy says:
    March 12, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    Hoodie is beautiful! He looks like a true patriot! Thank you for your service. I recently adopted two more cats to join my single family. I have five cats and a dog. They are all rescues who really rescued me. So much love and devotion for each other.

  3. Christine E says:
    March 9, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    I love the photos of you and Hoodie. He’s really cute and has mischief in his eyes. I’m so glad you two are providing each other with companionship and love. Thank you for your Service.

  4. Latrecia Taylor says:
    March 9, 2021 at 9:48 am

    I’m looking to adopt a Ragdoll kitten or cat . Please let me know if you know any shelter that may have one . I live in the Forney Tx near Dallas.

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

Clark retired from the Marines after more than 20 Clark retired from the Marines after more than 20 years of service to our nation. And in 2012 he was one of our early adopters - literally and figuratively - when he rescued then 2 year-old Ellie.

Ellie is now 13 and the pint-sized pup is still living large with Clark and his family, who recently gave us this heartfelt shoutout:

"Wanted to thank you for the many years of support your team has provided! It has helped out immensely over the years! Thank you all for what you have done and for what you continue to do."

Sounds like a mission accomplished to us!

Thanks to our partners @ranchocoastal - one of our earliest shelter partners - for this enduring match, and for continuing to waive adoption fees for veterans in our program.

#gotchadayanniversary #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #militaryfamily #usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #usmarines #usmarinecorps #petsforvets
Ahoy, mate! Noah retired from the Navy and just th Ahoy, mate! Noah retired from the Navy and just threw a lifeline to Kali, a stunning Cane Corso mix. This big, beautiful girl was in the care of our partners @norfolkanimals which gives veterans we serve 50% off adoption fees.

Click to the next photo to see their freedom ride pic!

#canecorsoofinstagram #canecorso #bigdogs #bigdogsofinstagram #bigdogstrong #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #weratedogs #navyveteran #navy #usn #usnavy #norfolkva
CJ is a disabled Marine veteran who finds joy in t CJ is a disabled Marine veteran who finds joy in the simple pleasures of life, including the addition of an older cat who joined her after the loss of a beloved pet.

Click the link in our bio to read their tale!

Thanks @sdhumanesociety for helping us make this purr-fect story possible and for waiving adoption fees for veterans in our program. ❤️

#sdhumanesociety #femaleveteran #usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #cats_of_instagram #cutecat #cutecats #cutecatsofinstagram #nalacat #adoptasheltercat #adoptaseniorpet #oldcatsofinstagram #oldcats #twoisbetterthanone
You know it's love when your new Marine Corps dad You know it's love when your new Marine Corps dad gives up his armchair for you. ❤️

Congratulations to nearly 9 year-old Holly Belle who's already made herself at home. She met Chuck through our partners @fredspca - which waives adoption fees for veterans we serve...oorah!

#olddogsrule #seniordogsofinstagram #adoptaseniordog #adoptaseniorpet #olddogsofinstagram #cutedogs #weratedogs #usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #iserved #iadopted #petsforvets
Wishing all of our Jewish friends around the world Wishing all of our Jewish friends around the world a sweet New Year, especially the men and women of the U.S. military who serve in all corners of the world in defense of our freedoms, including the freedom to practice (or not) the faith of our choosing.

L'shana tovah!

#lshanatova #lshanahtovah #roshhashana #roshhashanah #happynewyear #jewishnewyear #freedom #freedomofreligion #sweetnewyear
Meet two of our recent cat-tastic heroes: * Tim i Meet two of our recent cat-tastic heroes:

* Tim is active duty Army and just became cat dad to Iceburg - one cool cat (sorry, we couldn't resist)! Thanks to @jeffcospca for this purr-fect match and for giving veterans we serve $100 adoption fees.

* Andre is an Army National Guardsman with a heart for older pets. He met 11 year-old Camo (great name!) through our partners @nfsaws in Connecticut, which offers our veterans 50% off adoption fees.

#cats_of_instagram #adoptasheltercat #adoptashelterpet #adoptdontshop #nalacat #whitecat #calicocat #seniorpetsofig #adoptaseniorcat #armylife #army #army #armynationalguard #petsforvets #realmenlovecats
It's adoptapalooza "J" edition! * Jonasia is an A It's adoptapalooza "J" edition!

* Jonasia is an Army veteran who visited our partners @bmorehumane and added 3 year-old Josey to her family. This gorgeous hound and her adorable human sister are both so pretty in pink...twinning!

* James is an Iraq war veteran who needed the comfort of a 4-legged battle buddy. Three year-old Nami fit the bill after being in the care of our partners @lollypopfarm!

* Jacob is active duty Army and met Charlemagne at @jeffcospca where this stunning Shepherd-Retriever mix just fetched a new home!

Thanks to all of our shelter partners mentioned in this post - and across the country - who help us place animals in need with our nation's heroes.

#adoptdontshop #armyveteran #army #armystrong #houndsofinstagram #muttsrule #petsforvets #femaleveteran #iraqwar #militaryfamily #militaryfamilies #battlebuddies
Jeff has always believed in doing the right thing Jeff has always believed in doing the right thing as his guiding philosophy. Eventually that attitude led the Marine Corps veteran to save a shelter dog who would forever change his perspective on adoption.

Click the link in our bio to read this truly inspirational tale!

#usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #usmarines #marinecorpsveteran #iraqwar #combatveteran #militaryfamily #cutedogsofinstagram #weratedogs #adoptdontshop #petsforvets #muttsrule
22 years after the 9/11 terror attacks we continue 22 years after the 9/11 terror attacks we continue to honor the lives of thousands of souls lost that day and in the years that followed, including two as yet unnamed victims identified within the last few days.

May they all rest in heavenly repose with the knowledge that we will never waiver, we will always stand on the side of freedom, and we will never, ever forget.

#september11 #neverforget #neverforgotten #nineeleven #911 #worldtradecenter #marines #army #coastguard #navy #airforce #fdny #nypd #rip #waronterror #freedom #freedomisntfree #shanksville #pentagon
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.