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 › Retired Navy veteran gives shelter dog “chance to be needed”

Retired Navy veteran gives shelter dog “chance to be needed”

February 25, 2014Dog tales

John and Hunter

John is a retired Navy veteran who was coping with the “unbearable” loss of his senior dog, Chad, until he and his wife saved a sweet, spirited shelter dog named Hunter. Thanks to our partnership with the Virginia Beach SPCA for making their story possible, as told by John.

A true blue military man

Though I was fully retired from the Navy in 1995, I continued to work in the same occupational field as when on duty. Even today I work as a civilian employee for the United States Army at Fort Eustis, Newport News Virginia.

I was a Navy Corpsman. I spent duty and training in Navy clinics and hospitals, from the East Coast to the West Coast. I sadly retired after twenty long years at a tiny base on an island in Washington State called Whidbey NAS (Naval Air Station).

Because I was stationed in Asia during the United States’ participation in Middle East, Desert Storm and Desert Shield, one would think life should have been uneventful. Hunter

Six months before Desert Storm, an earthquake shattered normal life and damaged buildings on base. Six months after Desert Shield, a volcano erupted sixty kilometers from our base, nearly making a wasteland of the same base. The damage forced the US Air Force to give back the US Clark Airbase and the US Navy to pull all forces out of Subic Bay and Cubi Point. Shoveling sand from rooftops for ninety days was not something any of us were accustomed to do in the medical field, but then we didn’t have to live in tents and eat MREs under enemy fire either.

Missing the “I love you eyes” of a departed family dog

The kids are grown and out of the house, but my wife and I are still active though not athletic as when we were younger. We aged just like our first family dog.

In the early fall of 2013, our family pet (an SPCA dog) of 16 years died and it took a hard toll on our family emotionally. Coming home to a silent house where no patter of feet or a dog rubbing our legs was sickening. Our loss was nearly unbearable.

Chad was badly missed, even if he rode in a basket behind my bike because age would not allow whim to run alongside. My wife and I were sad, and though we had each other we missed those “I love you eyes” our first dog gave us even when he had misbehaved. We needed something.

I must admit I did not want to pay for another dog, but I knew it would help my wife who missed Chad the most and who talked me into it. The Virginia Beach SPCA told us since I was a veteran I could adopt, and Pets for Patriots had benefits. I was unable to argue.

Shelter dog gets second chance to be needed

When Hunter came home with us the first day he was excited. He had twenty times more energy than we were used to from our older dog. Hunter was only twelve months old.

Chad and Hunter are different in many ways, but similar in others. Hunter’s first day he wanted to jump on the sofa and snuggle his seventy pounds against my lap. We would never have let Chad do that, but Hunter gave us that look with his eyes and we felt grateful he liked us. John and Hunter

Hunter is definitely a help with my physical activity because I feel guilty if he doesn’t get to go for lengthy walks. He has made sure I stay in shape even after a long day at work. Hunter doesn’t like my sitting and typing on the computer. He either nibbles my leg or arm when I try and type. Hunter doesn’t mind watching Discovery or History Channel or the Pet Channel, but he does so laying with his head in my lap or on my feet.

Hunter doesn’t care if it is raining or sunny; he wants to go outside on the leash. He actually communicates with me, telling me he knows I have had a good or bad day, but I am home with him and let’s have fun!

An organization dedicated to veterans and shelter pets

I highly recommend other veterans adopt through Pets for Patriots.

Most service members have a special desire to be needed, and a pet can provide that. They will listen to your endless compliments and complaints, and never tell anyone gossip. A pet will look into your eyes and know when you have had a trying day. They will show you their love because they know you as the link who helped take them away from a difficult life. Think about it, they need you more than you need them. They can’t open the door for food or to go outside. They like schedules, up with light and sleep with night, aren’t you used to that?

Like you, they are seeking a chance to be needed. They will learn to communicate with you, in that silent language called eye contact.

Make sure you know what a pet needs though. Young pets need rigidity and regularity discipline, and then understanding if they mess up. Older pets need understanding and tolerance, because they only know what they’ve been taught. It’s your job to learn their habits and help them learn your habits.

Adopt, and you will see – Pets for Patriots is a VERY beneficial program.

PreviousNext

One Comment

  1. Roz Mach says:
    March 21, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    God Bless all who Adopt or donate to help these presious babies

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.