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 › Senior rescue dog makes life complete for young Marine Corps veteran

Senior rescue dog makes life complete for young Marine Corps veteran

May 24, 2021Dog tales

Senior rescue dog makes life complete for young Marine Corps veteran

Cricket was eight years old when she became homeless. But the senior rescue dog fulfilled a young veteran’s dream and made his new life complete.

From aloha to hoorah

Paul grew up in Oahu, Hawaii. His twin passions were surfing and playing the tenor saxophone. But after graduating high school he was ready for a new challenge.

In 2012 Paul turned 18 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, where he served as an aviation ordnance technician.

These professionals are tasked with the maintenance, testing, inspection, repair, and loading of aviation ordnance on Marine Corps aircraft.

Senior rescue dog makes life complete for young Marine Corps veteran

Paul served at Camp Pendleton for the entirety of his contract and separated from the Marines in 2016.

The young veteran soon learned that his particular specialty did not translate to a job in the civilian world as easily as he had hoped.

Riding a new wave

Although Paul spent his childhood in the ocean he would find his livelihood in the trees. After leaving the Marine Corps he earned a forestry degree from a Pennsylvania university.

A few months later Paul’s girlfriend, Whitney, accepted a job offer in Annapolis, Maryland.

The couple moved and Paul started his career as a climbing arborist. These professionals often work for municipalities or utilities. They scale tall trees and remove limbs, diagnose disease, and perform other tasks to keep trees healthy and safe in their environments.

When he is not climbing trees Paul enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons, and tinkering with his 3-D printer. However, a senior rescue dog would soon add a new dimension to his already fulfilling life.

Age is just a number

Paul always wanted to adopt a dog and knew right away that an older dog would be best.

“I’ve always wanted a dog, but didn’t have enough time to train a puppy,” he says.

So when it came time to look for a pet Paul made the responsible decision. He would search for an older dog who already knew basic manners and was accustomed to household living.

Whitney was in agreement with Paul’s plan to add a more mature dog to their lives. The couple started their search online and soon learned about Pets for Patriots from a partner shelter website. 

Senior rescue dog makes life complete for young Marine Corps veteran

However, it would be two months after Paul was approved by us that he and Whitney found their perfect pup at Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland.

Since 2018 the sanctuary has offered fee-waived adoptions to veterans in our program. They help more mature dogs find loving homes and, to date, we have almost 50 such adoptions together.

Paul and Whitney both favored large dogs and were instantly drawn to Cricket, a then eight year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever. They fell in love with her playful and silly personality, and in September 2020 the trio became family.

Senior rescue dog makes house a home

Not long after welcoming Cricket home Paul discovered lumps on Cricket’s body. He brought her to Bay Country Veterinary Hospital, which since 2011 has provided quality, affordable veterinary care to veterans in our program.

Veterinary partners are a vital part of our mission to make pet guardianship more affordable. They are required to offer at least 10 percent off of fees, which can mean big savings over the life of an adopted pet.

Thankfully, Cricket’s lumps were benign.

And a few lumps and bumps have not stopped this senior rescue dog from making each day an adventure. She loves to play with laser pointers and enjoys weekly hikes with her family.

Senior rescue dog makes life complete for young Marine Corps veteran

Although Paul did not have time in his life to train a puppy, he spares nothing to give Cricket the attention she deserves. The mature dog repays him in kind by making sure that they spend some time outdoors every day.

“Even on days that might not have great weather,” he shares, “she still gets us out of the house.”

Despite her adventurous and playful spirit, Cricket is equally happy to lounge on the couch. Paul appreciates her versatility and how easily she fits into the rhythms of their household.

The young Marine Corps veteran is glad that he made the decision to save a mature pet.

Cricket may have her puppy years far behind her, but she still has so much love and life to give.

“She’s just a joy,” Paul says, “the sweetest dog.”

PreviousNext

3 comments

  1. Mary Eaton says:
    July 5, 2021 at 7:57 pm

    Thank you Paul and Whitney for deciding to bring home a “senior”. Cricket has found a new lease on life in your household. Smiles on all your faces!
    Your military service is appreciated.

  2. Christine E says:
    May 30, 2021 at 11:39 pm

    Cricket is so pretty and still looks like a pup! So glad you adopted her. Wishing you many happy years together. Thanks for your Service and for sharing your story.

  3. Michael Lynch says:
    May 25, 2021 at 1:47 pm

    Hi Beth,
    Thank You again for your continuing efforts in assisting Veterans.
    Do you have an address/name, if one wanted to make a donation, bypassing the website that charges a fee?
    Wishing you and yours a great Memorial Day.
    Blessings, be safe.
    Mike Lynch, (USMC) Retired 😎

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

"We continue to be so grateful for having Tama in "We continue to be so grateful for having Tama in our lives and for your group for supporting him all these years. Thank you for all you do!!!...He’s the best boy and I am glad we have him a chance all those years ago." ~ Bryan, Navy veteran, adopted 10 years ago to Tama through our partners @vbspca ❤️

#dogs #olddogsrule #gotchadayanniversary #weratedogs #adoptdontshop #boxersofinstagram #boxersofig #bigdogsofinstagram #petsforvets #navyveteran #iadopted #iserved
Melissa is a Navy veteran who had been going throu Melissa is a Navy veteran who had been going through a rough time in her personal life until an eternally joyful rescue dog named Bandit stole her heart - and turned her ship around. Story in our bio link!

Uplifting match made through our partners @annearundelcountyacc - which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program. ❤️

#navyveteran #femaleveteran #adoptashelterpet #boxersofig #petsforpatriots
Have you met these handsome fellas? Nathaniel has Have you met these handsome fellas? Nathaniel has served in the Army National Guard for more than 20 years. Recently he visited our partners Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter in Huntington, West Virginia, which gives veterans in our program a reduced adoption fee of $50.

It was at the shelter that Nathaniel met Gunner, a stunning, adult shepherd mix, and gave this last chance pup a second chance at life...woot!

#armystrong #armynationalguard #gsdsofinstagram #adoptashelterpet #petsforpatriots
Friday funny: sign we saw on a recent walk with ou Friday funny: sign we saw on a recent walk with our pup...
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
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.