They say a rising tide lifts all boats. For one Navy veteran, it is a cuddlesome cat who is elevating her mood and helping to turn her ship around.
Seeing the world
Like many veterans, Holly enlisted in the military to broaden her horizons.
“I joined the military to see the world,” she says, “and luckily [I] got to aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.”
Prior to being decommissioned in 2009, the USS Kitty Hawk served during the Vietnam and Gulf wars, among other notable deployments.
Although Holly separated from service more than a decade ago, she remains close friends with some of her fellow sailors. Their time together during her tour of duty are among her most memorable moments from her brief naval career.
These days the Navy veteran calls upstate New York home. She manages a local restaurant and, when not at work, spends most of her time at home.
A sinking ship
In 2019 Holly adopted a dog through Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester. Since 2011 the shelter offers our members half-off adoption fees and remains one our longest term partners.
“My first pet through Pets for Patriots was a Corgi mix, Nala. She quickly became my baby,” she shares.
“I would’ve done anything for her, and she was the best thing in my life for a short while until I lost her to cancer.”
About one quarter of all pets will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. This rises to half of pets over 10 years of age.
While diagnostics and new treatments can extend the lives of many animals, they remain out of reach financially for many pet guardians.
Nala passed away in spring 2024. A few months later Holly returned to Lollypop Farm to save another four-legged soul—and save herself in the process. She confides that loneliness and depression were starting to take their toll. And she knew from experience that a companion pet would help.
“To help with loneliness, and give me something that needs me to do things no matter how depressed or into my own head I get.”
But Holly did not expect that it would be a cuddlesome cat, not a dog, who would buoy her sinking spirits.
Cuddlesome cat
In July 2024 Meesha was another cat in a shelter hoping for a home. Nothing is known about how she wound up at Lollypop Farm; her history is a mystery.
Yet after months of searching for a new pet friend Holly was unconcerned with Meesha’s past. She was smitten by the adult cat’s beautiful orange and brown coat and affectionate nature.
So Holly adopted Meesha and promptly renamed her Harvey, after Two-Face—the comic book alter ego of Harvey Dent.
The cuddlesome cat was just what Holly needed to keep the blues at bay.
“Now I have an adorable, needy cat named Harvey, who loves to curl up with me and watch television or play games,” she says.
“My favorite thing is to lounge about and just have Harvey purring on my chest.”
Holly is among the many veterans we serve who adopt multiple pets over time through our program—whether after the passing of a previous pet or to add another dog or cat to their households.
The Navy veteran recommends others consider Pets for Patriots if they are planning to adopt a companion pet.
Our benefits, which include a year of post-adoption follow up, make it easier and more affordable to welcome a pet home.
The Navy veteran will always have a place in her heart for Nala. But now the void left by her passing is filled with the love of a cuddlesome cat.
“Thank y’all so much for helping to bring her into my life!”
I think cats are definitely a great way to help heal our minds and especially our hearts. Sorry for your loss of Nala. I know personally how hard it is to lose a pet to cancer. I lost my soul cat Moochie to bladder cancer. Now I have a cat that came into my life through Pets for Patriots named Nala. She brings so much happiness to my life. I think sometimes it the other way around, they actually rescue us.