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 …

Coast Guard rescues inspire officer’s dog tale

Israel Parker, Atticus & Roxanne

This is the tale of a Coast Guard officer, a dog lost at sea and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Israel J. Parker serves as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade in the United States Coast Guard. He began writing shortly after becoming a helicopter rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard. At first, he filled his down time with reading. However, as the demands of his job grew more intense, he began keeping a journal and writing short stories. Hero on the high seasAfter graduating from high school, Parker enlisted in the Coast Guard and in 2000 entered their elite Helicopter Rescue Swimmer Program, Continue reading …

Rescued dog helps veteran find joy in life

Red close up

Red is a rescued dog who honorably adopted a disabled Vietnam-era veteran named Bobby, bringing many smiles and much joy back into her life. Together they share their journey with Pets for Patriots and the veterans we serve every day. Well it's been a while, but Pets for Patriots is anything but forgotten. Congrats on the two year mark! As you can see Red is doing great, just bigger then he was. He has more then taken over the house, and I would never have it any other way. That, and he makes a great back warmer on cool evenings. As you can see Red has even taken over my bed. He and I have Continue reading …

Pets are not presents

black dog with bow

Responsible pet adoption during the holidays can be summed up very simply: pets are not presents. Many dogs and cats given as gifts end up at animal shelters shortly after the New Year, facing an uncertain future. You might find it difficult to resist surprising your kid with a puppy or kitten, or presenting a pet to your parents, but the reasons not to do so are more compelling: A pet is forever...or at least a good 10 years. Although lifespan varies by species, breed and other factors, nearly 40% of dogs live more than 10 years and the average indoor cat will live between 12-15 years. The Continue reading …

Two years connecting veterans and last-chance pets

Pets for Patriots website

At Pets for Patriots, we're offering new ways to connect veterans with last-chance pets as part of a major relaunch in celebration of our two-year anniversary.  Since receiving our not-for-profit status, Pets for Patriots has transformed more than 100 lives of pet and person through our honorable adoption program. Veterans who have benefited from our charity range from a young Air Force couple who saved a three-legged Great Dane to a 90 year-old WWII veteran whose adoption of a little dog named Gizmo was a one-in-a-million event. Since its launch, Pets for Patriots has started its program Continue reading …

National Adopt a Senior Pet month helps older pets find new homes

Woman and old dog

November is National Adopt a Senior Pet month, during which time the benefits of senior pet adoption are promoted by shelters, rescues and humane societies around the country. At Pets for Patriots, we focus on adult and other “at risk” shelter pets year-round because we know that while many people think they’re less adoptable, they often make the best companions. So what makes a pet a senior? While there’s no absolute standard, many animal welfare organizations and veterinary specialists consider a dog or cat to be a senior citizen after five years of age; for others it’s seven and Continue reading …

Road home: shelter dog celebrates new lease on life

Kip & Céilidh

This is the story of Kip, a member of the Indiana Air National Guard, who honorably adopted his shelter dog Céilidh (pronounced Kay-lee) through Pets for Patriots.     Kip and his wife knew they wanted another dog to help ease the blow when their beloved Tess would be gone.  It was during one of Tess’ last veterinary appointments that Kip learned about Pets for Patriots. “Tess was not active anymore because she was so old,” says Kip, “we knew Tess was close to the end. Our vet mentioned that if the time came when we were interested in having another dog, that Pets for Patriots Continue reading …

A veteran, a dog and one amazing tale

Gizmo and his new family

If you spend much time with a war veteran discussing his experience, he will invariably mention how the worst part of it was losing so many of his best friends. And, if you listen to a pet owner discuss losing a pet, you will hear a similar refrain: “I feel like I’ve lost my best friend.” It’s a sentiment tinged with sadness and loneliness – a sense of loss and being lost. Tim Peterman knows both all too well. As a veteran of WWII who recently lost his beloved Shih-Tzu, Gizmo, he didn’t know what to do with himself without his buddy. He lost his bearings. His daughter, Sandra, Continue reading …

Marine veteran saves four-legged life at home

Fernando and Ellie

 After three tours of duty, a Marine Corps veteran saves a four-legged life when he adds a last-chance dog to his military family. Our thanks to Fernando for sharing their story with us. My name is Fernando and my family and I live in Southern California on Camp Pendleton. I am active duty in the Marine Corps. My wife and I have two little girls ages two and four who love animals. I figured it was the perfect time to add a member to our family since I am not deploying and will be home for the next two to three years. So what a better time then now. I joined the Marine Corps in 2006 and Continue reading …

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