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 › Navy veteran learns life lessons from last-chance shelter dog

Navy veteran learns life lessons from last-chance shelter dog

September 10, 2013Dog tales

Betty and Bella

A career Navy veteran who traveled the world learns important life lessons from a last-chance shelter dog.

For almost three decades, Betty served in the Naval Reserve and dedicated 40 years as a civilian employee until her dual retirements. In the course of a civilian job with the Navy Recruiting Area FIVE in Great Lakes, Illinois, Betty was invited to join the Navy through the Advanced Pay Grade Program, which sought Naval candidates with related civilian experience. She enlisted and, after nearly 30 years of service exclaims, “It was the best decision I ever made!”

Betty’s Naval career took her to many far-flung areas of the world. She recalls supporting the war in Bosnia, humanitarian support throughout the Caribbean and spending time in Bahrain, among many other adventures. But one experience stands out in her mind: Italy, 1979-1983. Betty and Bella smiling

“Italy had very little in the way of support for the Americans living there,” Betty recalls. “Electricity would go out for no reason, so you’d loose all the food in your refrigerator. The homes had no central heat, so you heated by kerosene in freezing temperatures.”

The veteran’s most memorable experience, however, was the return flight home in 1983.

“I learned that you don’t really know how good you have it here in the States,” she says, “until you don’t have it anymore.”

The Navy veteran remembers distinctly the moment when the first wheel hit the tarmac and the entire airplane erupted in applause.

“I’m sure we all had different reasons for the applause, but one thing was for sure,” says Betty, “we were all glad to back on American soil. You can’t script that sort of thing and I really don’t know why or how we all decided to applaud, but it was a heartwarming experience shared by us all.”

A home silenced by the deaths of three beloved pets

Betty’s husband is a Naval Reservist approaching his 30-year mark, but the couple have more than their commitment to service in common: they have always shared their hearts and home with pets.

“They give you unconditional love and ask for very little in return,” Betty says. “When you are down, they are there for you and when you are up, they’ll share your happiness in a thousand ways.”

The pair used to have three four-legged family members: a Golden Retriever, a hound mix and a cat. But tragedy struck when all three of their beloved pets died within two months of each other. The hound mix died from blood cancer within two days of his diagnosis, the cat passed away two weeks later and the Golden Retriever a month after that.

“To say our lives were changed was an understatement,” Betty remembers.

The emptiness at home was crushing.

“After about a month of silence and no animal around to talk to, play with and care for,” says Betty, “I started looking at the local SPCA and Petfinder to see what rescue animals were available.”

It was at that moment that Betty found “the one” at the Virginia Beach SPCA: a Great Pyrenees mix. Bella on bed (Betty)

“That’s when I saw Bella,” she says. “When I saw her sweet face and met her at the Virginia Beach SPCA, I knew she had to come home with me.”

Because Betty is a military veteran, the shelter staff told her that she may be eligible to join Pets for Patriots, which offers various benefits to veterans and military personnel who adopt last-chance dogs and cats through their partner shelters across the country.

“I chose to adopt through Pets for Patriots,” Betty declares, “because it seemed like the right thing to do.”

A life saved and life lessons learned

Ever since she joined this career Navy family, Bella has changed life for Betty and her husband – for the better.

“My Bella has put a smile back on my face every day I wake up,” says Betty.

Even more, the big sweet dog has taught the Navy veteran important life lessons, as well.

“She has taught me to take time to play, time to relax and time to just sit back and watch the world around us,” says Betty, with the newfound wisdom from her new pet friend. Betty and Bella

The dog’s attentive nature means “you can’t make a move without her,” but Betty would not have it any other way. And despite being a dog who “might not ever get adopted because of her size,” it’s Bella’s size that Betty finds most endearing.

“She’s big!” the Navy veteran exclaims. “When you hug her, you aren’t going to hurt her.”

Betty’s advice to those considering adopting through Pets for Patriots is simple:

“Do it, and do it now,” she says. “It will give you someone to think about and care for, and will take your mind off the negative things in life.”

How does your pet help you focus on the positive side of life?

PreviousNext

One Comment

  1. jordan release dates 2014 says:
    July 26, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    http://www.retrojordanstores.com jordan sneakers for boys

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

Tomoka, Umami, Sky and Star, Kielbasa, Reese's Pie Tomoka, Umami, Sky and Star, Kielbasa, Reese's Pieces, Arthur, Pierogi, Corn, Juju, Tallahassee - just some of the amazing dogs and cats in our Forget Me Not campaign waiting for their heroes.

All have been in their respective shelters for longer than they deserve, overlooked by would-be adopters.

FMN pets are available to ANY qualified adopter - not just Pets for Patriots veterans - so please share their need far and wide. Because a shelter is not a home, and the longer these precious creatures spend in shelters reduces their chances of adoption even further.

Let's show these wonderful animals that their lives matter!

Click the link in our bio to meet all of our FMNs waiting for their heroes.

#forgetmenot #forgetmenots #adoptashelterdog #adoptasheltercat #adoptashelterpet #adoptdontshop #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #dogsofinstagram #cats #cutedogs #cutecats
Elizabeth is a Navy veteran and widow who needed r Elizabeth is a Navy veteran and widow who needed relief from depression. It would be a rescue dog in need of healing, as well, who came to her aid.

Click the link in our bio to read their tale and how this Navy corpsman and sweet Pittie are healing each other!

#pitbull #pitbulllove #pibble #pibblelove #dontbullymybully #dontbullymybreed #loverescuedme #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #depressionhelp #depressionawareness #navyveteran #navycorpsman #femaleveteran #youarenotalone
Pupdate from Pinini!! Almost 2 years ago this now Pupdate from Pinini!!

Almost 2 years ago this now 5 year-old precious pibble hit the adoption jackpot. James was honorably separated from the Army and in need of a 4-legged battle buddy.

Mission accomplished! Thanks to the Fulton County campus of @lifelineanimal Pinini's adoption fee was waived - leaving more coin for James to spoil his BFF. This dynamic duo are now livin' large in the great state of Texas.

Are you a current or former member of the U.S. military interested in adopting your own pet pal? Click the link in our bio to learn more and apply!

#dontbullymybreed #dontbullymybully #pibble #pibblesofinstagram #pitbulls #pitbullsofinstagram #pitbulllove #blackdogsofinstagram #blackdogsrule #adoptdontshop #armyveteran #armystrong #bffgoals #battlebuddies #atlantapets
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
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.