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 › Vietnam veteran saves neglected dog slated for death

Vietnam veteran saves neglected dog slated for death

November 12, 2013Dog tales

https://www.petsforpatriots.org/vietnam-veteran-saves-neglected-dog-slated-for-death/

Despite serving in Vietnam, Hugh never used the word “hero” to describe himself. But a neglected dog marked for death would beg to differ; Hugh saved his life.

“Jo Jo was chosen to be euthanized because he had been so neglected,” says Hugh. “His teeth on the right side were rotten and he was so thin.”

Long after Vietnam, Hugh moved from Kentucky to Florida with his wife, Linda. The veteran is a compassionate family man, and he and Linda are active in their local church.

Together the couple has two sons, two daughters-in-law, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren, and consider themselves blessed.

Life was not always so joyful, however.

Fear in An Khe Pass, Vietnam

On December 17, 1965, Hugh was drafted in the Army and served a year each in the states and in Vietnam. The latter provided one of the veteran’s most enduring – and terrifying – memories of his service.

“I was awakened while laying in a foxhole in Vietnam,” recalls Hugh, “by about a dozen rats standing on my chest in An Khe Pass in the middle of the night.”

In spite of this experience, Hugh is passionate about animals.

“There is a great need to save the little ones,” Hugh says of shelter pets. “My wife and I love animals, we love to save them, we love to love and care for them.”

Saving a neglected dog from death row

The Army veteran never forgot what it meant to feel afraid. Little did he know that he was poised to be a savior to a neglected dog who was slated for death.

The tiny pup was trembling in fear when Hugh and Linda met the then four year-old Chihuahua mix at the Lake City Humane Society.

https://www.petsforpatriots.org/vietnam-veteran-saves-neglected-dog-slated-for-death/

“He was so helpless and scared to death,” says Hugh of little Jo Jo.

Having been approved by Pets for Patriots a few months earlier, Hugh was able to save Jo Jo on the spot. Lake City Humane Society waived the adoption fee as an added benefit for veterans who adopt through our partnership.

“Pets for Patriots made it possible for us to help save another of G-d’s creatures!” exclaims Hugh.

Once loveless and neglected, Jo Jo rules the roost

Today, Jo Jo is no longer a neglected dog by any stretch of the imagination. And Hugh and Linda are forever changed as a result of adopting him.

“It’s so rewarding for us as well,” says the Vietnam veteran. “Every time I look at him now, he has this look in his eyes of adoration. He’s a wonderful little dog that makes me happy just to look at him.”

Jo Jo is a very well-mannered member of the family in spite of having been previously owned by a hoarder and, according to Hugh, “never had any affection.”

https://www.petsforpatriots.org/vietnam-veteran-saves-neglected-dog-slated-for-death/

“Jo Jo is so cute and so willing to cooperate,” Hugh observes. “There were 32 dogs rescued that day, and when we first got him to foster he didn’t make a sound for two weeks!”

As Jo Jo became more confident in his new home, the once neglected dog changed his tune.

“Little by little,” says the Vietnam veteran, “he has become ‘the Boss.'”

For Hugh and Linda, adopting through Pets for Patriots is a must for any veteran considering a new pet friend.

“Absolutely!” Hugh exclaims. “Adopt through Pets for Patriots. It’s an outstanding experience!”

 

PreviousNext

4 comments

  1. Minnei says:
    November 18, 2013 at 12:04 am

    This is a fantastic story, I am inspire from them. My best wishes to him and their family. Family is great which support them in rescuing dogs. Really a dog is a lovely pet.

  2. LorieAnne K says:
    November 14, 2013 at 7:26 am

    This is a great article celebrating veterans as well as rescues from shelters… Just don’t understand why the author couldn’t correctly quote the combat veteran and put in “God?” Why disguise it?

    1. Beth Zimmerman says:
      November 29, 2013 at 6:32 am

      LorieAnn, due to the author’s religious beliefs, G-d’s name is never fully written.

  3. Katie says:
    November 12, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    What a wonderful story! My in laws live in Lake City, and I’m happy to see such a fantastic story from our back yard. Good luck and thank you for rescuing!

    Katie

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.