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
    • 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 › Retired Army officer touched by once-homeless dog

Retired Army officer touched by once-homeless dog

November 26, 2012Dog tales

A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel was so moved by the plight of a homeless dog that he felt compelled to save her life.

Water retired as Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army after more than 20 years of service. He currently works for the Army Training Support Command as TRADOC Capabilities Manager at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he draws upon his vast military experiences, includes serving worldwide as a Field Artillery Officer and Comptroller.

Among Walter’s more memorable experiences in the service was working with the 528th Field Artillery Group and the First Turkish Army in Istanbul. He especially enjoyed learning and using the Turkish language to explore the back streets of Istanbul. Walter has fond memories as well of his experiences as Battery Commander in Wertheim, Germany – where his youngest son was born – and of his time as the Battalion Executive Officer of the 3-82 FA at Fort Hood in Texas.

“You do what you have to do”

When Walter and his wife visited their local animal shelter, Portsmouth Humane Society, when they decided to add a pet to their family. Once there, Walter was stunned by the unbelievable number of dogs abandoned by their previous owners. 

“The sadness in these poor animals’ eyes and the way they lit up when you walked by their cages inspired me to save one of them,” he says. “I am not even a dog person, but you have to do what you have to do.”

Walter did not adopt as much as he was adopted. Gracie is a large mixed-breed dog, who Walter characterizes as “full of love, like a young child.”

In fact, the big dog has “a never-ending need to show her love and be loved! My wife and I love her dearly and she is worth every ‘mishap’ in the house. She is a welcome addition to our home and brings endless smiles.”

Since joining Walter’s family, Gracie has pursued new adventures in the woods near their home.

“She may be a bit hard-headed when it comes to chasing the little creatures of the woods, but she is a hunting dog at heart and I love it,” says Walter.

Unconditional friendship and other benefits, too

The retired Army officer chose to adopt a pet through Pets for Patriots because he believes it is an excellent conduit for men and women in the military to save a homeless animal, and enjoy the unconditional friendship of a pet. The program’s benefits – discounted adoption and veterinary fees, as well as ongoing financial assistance for basic pet necessities – made it even easier for Walter to complete the pet adoption process.

According to Walter, Pets for Patriots is “the best program out there assisting veterans in adopting pets. I have recommended it to all my friends!”

Do you know a veteran who might benefit from a new pet friend?

PreviousNext

One Comment

  1. steven perlman says:
    November 27, 2012 at 11:50 am

    This is just one of many wonderful stories about the positive connection between canines and human kind. I am a ‘dog person’. My 13 year old black lab-greyhound, Lilly, gives me incredible pleasure and love just as I hope I do the same for her. The neat thing about dogs is they accept the limited amount of time we give them while they give us 100% of their gifts 100% of the time. Please do whatever you can to support, with your time or money or both the humaine societies that shelter, treat & place these wonderful creatures of God.

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

Can we please take a moment to behold Smokey's spe Can we please take a moment to behold Smokey's spectacular ears? 

Okay...moment over! 🤣 This hunky hound just hit the adoption jackpot when Annette and her husband - both Air Force veterans - added this 3+ year-old fella to their family. We thank these high-flying patriots for their service and for opening their hearts and home to this magnificent beast!

#staffysaturday #dontbullymybreed #loveabull #airforceveteran #militaryfamily #petsforpatriots
When you've got a great name like Jean-Paul, you j When you've got a great name like Jean-Paul, you just have to adopt a dog with a double name, too...like Russia Roo!

This sweet shepherd mix and her Army veteran dad became the 148th match through our partners @pgc_pets4us - which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program...woot!

#armystrong #armyveteran #shepherdsofinstagram #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #petsforpatriots
Henley was in a Virginia animal shelter until one Henley was in a Virginia animal shelter until one day when the coy cat chose a dual Navy couple as his own. In time he would prove his mettle as a “little therapy cat.”

Click the link in our bio to read this purr-fect adoption tale, and thanks to our partners @chesapeakehumane for helping us make it all happen!

#adoptasheltercat #navycouple #iserved #therapycat #petsforpatriots
Mila is mesmerizing!! This stunning 3 year-old mi Mila is mesmerizing!!

This stunning 3 year-old mix just set sail with Jared, who for more than 10 years and counting serves in the Navy. The pair were matched through our partners @kitsaphumanesociety which offers veterans in our program 50% off adoption fees. Anchors aweigh!

#navy #adoptashelterdog #kitsaphumanesociety #petsforpatriots #muttsrule
Megan serves in the Navy and just threw a lifeline Megan serves in the Navy and just threw a lifeline (and a cone!) to Little Man, a stunning adult cat she met through our partners @vbspca. Megan received a 25% adoption fee discount and has access to their low-cost veterinary clinic without proof of income - just a couple of the benefits of adopting through our partnership.

All we know is that this is one very lucky black cat! Smooth sailing, Megan and Little Man!

#blackcat #adoptasheltercat #femaleveteran #navyveteran #petsforpatriots
Last week we shared that Joan, Army veteran, bid h Last week we shared that Joan, Army veteran, bid her senior Pittie rescue and @petsforpatriots alum Jerry a peaceful trip over the Rainbow Bridge. 🌈

Joan knew she needed to dust herself off and save another 4-legged soul, so earlier this week she rescued 5 year-old Smokey, a stunning Cane Corso she met through our partners Baltimore County Animal Services, which gives veterans we serve 50% off adoption fees.

We're so honored that many veterans, like Joan, are repeat adopters through our program - embracing our mission to save the most vulnerable shelter animals while benefiting from their loyalty and love. ❤️

#rainbowbridge🌈 #adoptashelterdog #armystrong #petsforpatriots
Pet adoption was not in Linda’s plans until one Pet adoption was not in Linda’s plans until one day when the lonely Marine met a shelter cat who turned her life around.

“I never knew one could love an animal so deeply. She brings so much happiness to my life."

Click the link in our bio to read this sweet tale, and thanks to @vbspca for another purr-fect match together!

#adoptasheltercat #loneliness #femaleveteran #marinecorps #beapetshero #petsforpatriots #youarenotalone
Cornelia was born and raised in France and her hus Cornelia was born and raised in France and her husband Ed in Belgium. Yet both served their adopted nation - Ed in the Navy and Cornelia in the Army. The pair met in New Jersey and married on Veterans Day more than 20 years ago.

These days the couple lives in an assisted living facility and, sadly, Ed's health is such that he's not always able to interact with Cornelia. She grew lonely and wanted nothing more than a little dog to love.

After months of searching, mission accomplished! Thanks to our partners @ywacpets for going the extra mile to help Cornelia find the perfect match:

"She's exactly what I needed and wanted.  She's 9 pounds of love.  She kisses me on the mouth and then turns on her back placing her neck over my mouth so I can kiss her and tell her I love her.  She sleeps with me and is being spoiled rotten by all the employees at the facility, directors on down." ~ Cornelia, US Army veteran ❤️

#armystrong #femaleveteran #adoptashelterpet #loverescuedme #petsforpatriots
Sometimes you can just see the JOY!! 🥰 Michael Sometimes you can just see the JOY!! 🥰

Michael is an Army veteran and just added 4 year-old Allie to his pack, which includes 12 year-old pup Roscoe and "a few others." Okay!

Thanks to our partners @baltcogov Animal Services for offering veterans we serve 50% off their already affordable adoption fees...woot!!

#armystrong #adoptionistheonlyoption #petsforpatriots #baltimorecounty #muttsrule
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.