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 › Stray dog adopts Navy family of his own

Stray dog adopts Navy family of his own

November 7, 2016Dog tales, Hope for a home

Stray dog adopts Navy family of his own

Typically we think of people adopting pets, but often it is the other way around. So it was with one San Diego stray dog who adopted a Navy veteran as his own, and who now enjoys island life in Hawaii with his new military family.

Service at heart

In 2007, Tracey began her eight-year career as a Seabee at Port Hueneme in Southern California. Military life felt natural to Tracey, who had gown up in a Navy household.

“It wasn’t any different from being at home,” she says. “I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Tracey worked as a construction electrician for the duration of her eight years in the service and loved the physical nature of her role. However, what she loved most about serving was her involvement in charity work. She found working with Habitat for Humanity particularly gratifying and was able to put her considerable skills to use.

Over the course of her military service Tracey deployed to Japan, as well as several Individual Augmentee (IA) deployments, wherein sailors leave their designated command to deploy individually or as part of a small group.

Cats and crawdads, but no canines

Tracey had learned about Pets for Patriots from a brochure at her local municipal animal shelter around the same time that she laid to rest her beloved Pekingese.

Devastated at the loss, the Navy veteran and her young son, Astian, headed to the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services to find another pet friend to love. The shelter has been one of our adoption partners since 2011 and offers deeply discounted dog and cat adoptions to veterans in our program.

Ironically, Tracey never had dogs growing up; her mother did not like them. The family had cats, rabbits, lizards, hamsters, crawdads and a praying mantis. Now that she had a family of her own, however, Tracey wanted a dog. For her, adoption was the only option.

“I wanted to adopt,” she explains, adding that she does not like buying pets from breeders.

Picked by the paw

Upon arrival at the shelter Tracey and Astian selected a few large dogs to meet and greet. The Navy veteran was a single mother at the time and knew she wanted a larger dog for protection.

Stray dog adopts Navy family of his own

All of the dogs proceeded to smell around the fenced meeting area, except for one peculiar dog named Rodger. Despite his visible timidity, the shepherd/retriever mix approached the pair right away – and at that moment they knew he was the one.

“He chose us,” Tracey remembers.

Tracy describes how Rodger was the perfect mix: she wanted a larger, yet child-friendly dog, one who was big enough to play with yet old enough to not require a lot of additional training. Rodger fit the bill, despite him having been found as a stray with no known history.

Aiden swiftly renamed the then two year-old dog Shooter, who now has four years worth of adoption anniversaries under his collar. Tracey has since married a Marine and the entire family – Shooter included – has been relocated to Hawaii by the military.

The Seabee and the sea-loving dog

Life with Shooter has been nothing short of joyful.

“It’s a comforting feeling when we get home,” Tracey shares, “He just seems really happy. In the shelter he looked so sad.”

The Navy veteran confesses that Shooter is now “very spoiled.” Her family has since adopted another dog who has become Shooter’s best buddy, aptly named Bullet. The duo dote on Tracey every chance they get.

“If I sit down they think it’s a cue to come over,” she jokes.

While the transition from San Diego to Hawaii has been a challenge, the dogs have given this military family a sense of normalcy and routine.

Stray dog adopts Navy family of his own

Five mornings a week Shooter and Tracey power walk five miles together, and other days they go on scenic hikes. Yet they both miss the famous dog-friendly beaches of San Diego; the ocean is not as accessible in Hawaii as their previous home in Coronado. Still, Shooter managed to help Astian feel comfortable with one undeniable fact of island life: being surrounded by water.

Shooter’s love for the ocean helped Tracey’s son overcome his fear of the water. Watching him jump into the waves with such ease and enthusiasm gave Astian the courage to join in on the fun.

“He’s an extremely loyal family dog,” Tracey says.

Stray dog adopts Navy family and gets so much more

This once stray dog chose wisely when he picked this Navy family, who cherishes him for his native sweetness.

“He’s very compassionate, he listens, he doesn’t eat through my entire house like some other dogs would,” Tracy says, laughing. “He’s my fun-favorite and best friend.” Stray dog adopts Navy family of his own

Tracey chose to adopt through Pets for Patriots because we serve active and separated military, recognize the challenges they face, and know how the right companion pet can make life better for person and pet alike.

“They were very helpful, and very military friendly and understanding,” she says. “I’d recommend them to everybody.”

Tracey loves Shooter to bits, and appreciates our mission to make companion pet adoption affordable and sustainable for military families like her own.

“I think it’s great that they’re getting people to adopt, when there are plenty of dogs and cats that need love.”

PreviousNext

3 comments

  1. mary says:
    November 10, 2016 at 12:37 am

    We can only imagine stories these adopted family members could tell from their perspective, the before and after. They probably count their blessings just as we do!

  2. BonnieJean Dunne says:
    November 8, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    I just LOVE reading about happy endings between service members,( active & vets) and their four legged companions. These wonderful animals who for the most part are mistreated can still give their whole being to their adopted people. I am not a veteran but I have adopted all of the dogs and some of my cats from shelters. They just want to please, they never hold a grudge and they give you complete and total love.I hope that you and your family have many,many happy years together. BJD

  3. Frank Klafs says:
    November 8, 2016 at 10:42 am

    The joy of a shelters love is so real

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

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
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
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.