Military family’s senior dog has date with destiny

Jim and dogs after morning run

One military family's senior dog seems to have had a date with destiny, giving credence to animal lovers who find their pets through rescue and adoption and who say they did not find their companions, but their companions found them. This is the story of one such pet. Archy had it made. He had been safely surrounded with love and care in the arms of a loving military family for 14 years. As is the case with most military families, Archy’s family had moved frequently, including two moves overseas. The dog had been through it all, but last year when his family got orders to fly overseas yet Continue reading …

Little dogs bring big changes to veterans’ lives

Patriots in their own words

They say it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. We'd suggest it's something slightly different: it's the size of the heart in the dog. So it is with two little dogs that are bringing big changes to the lives of the veterans who gave them a second chance at life. Vietnam veteran finally gets a 'thank you' Bob is a Vietnam Army veteran who served during a period in our nation's history when veterans symbolized a deeply unpopular war. There were no parades, no jubilant welcomes home, no thanks for a job well done. Their return was unceremonious at best Continue reading …

Navy war veteran finds a real buddy in homeless dog

Buddy and Bill on a boat

This is the story of a Navy war veteran who finds a buddy, literally, in the form of a homeless shelter dog. bud-dy (noun): a good friend, companion or partner; a comrade. Buddy is truly the perfect name for the orphaned two year-old cockapoo who honorably adopted Bill, a Navy veteran, during a trip to Lollypop Farm in May 2011. Let’s be clear: Buddy chose Bill, not the other way around. Bill was merely at the Rochester, New York animal shelter to appease his wife, Michelle, who had been combing internet websites and nearby shelters for a furry companion to adopt. “We had talked Continue reading …

Pets for Patriots shelters get Freekibble holiday gift

Screen Shot 2012-01-10 at 9.03.37 AM

Four-paw salute to our friends at Freekibble for their generous donation of Halo pet food to five Pets for Patriots adoption partners around the country!  The Freekibble Holiday Koast-to-Koast Kibble Drop delivered 40 tons - yes, that's 80,000 pounds! - of all natural, delicious and nutritious Halo Spot's Stew to animal shelters in need. That adds up to an impressive 400,000 meals served to homeless dogs and cats hoping to be adopted. The last piece of kibble was delivered just before the Christmas holiday, benefiting more than 40 animal welfare groups from the East to West coasts, and many Continue reading …

“Pathetic-looking” rescue dog saves disabled veteran from depression

Frank and Gus

When depression took its toll on a disabled Vietnam veteran whose dog had just died, he knew it was time to save another last-chance rescue dog. In the process, he saved himself. Born in Chicago, Frank was a toddler when his family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1973, he relocated to San Diego, a place where he loves to live and volunteer. In 1974, Frank joined the Navy reserves as a cryptology and radar specialist. He spent 20 months on an aircraft carrier off the Vietnam coast and the remainder of his enlistment as assistant to an admiral in Miramar, California. “I never Continue reading …

Changing lives coast to coast

Jacob, Sophie and family

When I wrote to you earlier this week I told you that we were changing lives coast to coast and had 60 honorable adoptions to celebrate. That number is now 62, and will likely grow in the coming days as a record number of veterans and service members are joining our program to give a last-chance pet a second chance at life. Since my earlier message, we had two adoptions that highight our growing national footprint. In upstate New York, Leland, a Navy veteran, honorably adopted an adult cat named Cow (yes, Cow!). On the other coast, a formerly stray Boxer mix named Sophie was saved by a Continue reading …

Last-chance pets transform veterans’ lives

Kip & Céilidh

As 2011 draws to a close, we celebrate the 60 last-chance pets who are transforming the lives of veterans and service members in need. They're the adult dogs and cats, large dogs and special needs pets who faced near-certain death at a shelter if not adopted. Today, because of our organization and your support, they have a second chance at life. The human side of this story is no less dramatic. Sixty heroes from virtually every generational conflict: World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan. Men and women who have defended the cause of freedom in Bosnia, Lebanon, Grenada and countless Continue reading …

Retired disabled Army dog needs help to walk again

Koady and Santo

Santo is a disabled, retired bomb-sniffing dog recently discharged from the Army and barely able to use his hind legs. His handler and now owner is a three-tour combat veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who, in spite of being recently discharged and currently unemployed, adopted the military working dog (MWD) when he learned that he was going to be killed. Koady, his then-handler and now owner, knows that Santo's keen nose saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers - including his own. Santo's problems starting during his tour in Afghanistan. He was eventually returned to Continue reading …

WWII Marine veteran fearless about pet adoption and life

Bee and Laddie

When the Marines talk about the few and the proud, they obviously had Bee, a WWII veteran in mind. Bee is 88 years young as of this writing and adopted an adult shelter dog who stole her heart. In 1945, Bee enlisted in the Marine Corps and remained in service until the war was over. Because women were not allowed overseas, she worked for a warrant officer as a shipping receiver in Quantico, where the Officers Training Camp was located. Boot camp remains a powerful memory of that time in her life. “It was an unusual choice for women to enlist, but I did it because I was bound and Continue reading …

Coast Guard and Marines compete to adopt pets

Mike and Makowski

It's on! Coast Guard versus Marines  in a competition to see who can be top dog in adopting pets. Sort of... If you're a Facebook fan, you know that in the morning of December 7 we shared the news that Michael, an active duty Coast Guardsman serving in Virginia, was honorably adopted by a stunning black lab named Makowski. We thank our partners at the Portsmouth Humane Society for helping us create this dynamic duo. Michael's wife, Theresa, summed up their feelings: Thank you for all of your help and support in helping us get the newest member of our family! We love Makowski very much Continue reading …

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