Pets for Patriots

"I sure do love having her in my life." Great one-year adoption anniversary 'pupdate' from Kevin, Army veteran and his BFF Harlow, thanks to our partnership with Champaign County Humane Society. Can we get some woots! and congrats for this pair? Let's go!

Friends, many people and businesses claim that they'll donate a portion of their sales to Pets for Patriots without having received approval from us to use our name to generate those sales and donations. While the vast majority are well-meaning folks, the simple fact is that we have a responsibility to our donors to ensure that ANYONE using our name to donate a portion of sales has been vetted properly so that you know your purchase will actually support our lifesaving work. ...If you see someone posting a promotion to donate a portion of sales to us, please ask us if the seller has been approved. Otherwise we have no way of verifying that your hard-earned dollars are going where you want them to go. Inquiries should be directed to web [at] petsforpatriots [dot] org. Thank you!

"...at night as he likes to sleep under our bed. He also likes to go in each of the boys rooms at bedtime to say goodnight!" ~ 4 yo Fisher just adopted a whole new family: Matthew, Iraq war veteran, wife Jennifer + 3 human brothers! Thanks Virginia Beach SPCA for helping this family of masked heroes find their match!

Rob is a combat wounded veteran who continues to serve our nation after more than 20 years, including with the Army, Marines, and now as a Navy chaplain. In the final days of 2019 he welcomed Gus into his heart and home, a tripawd dog who has no idea he has only three legs. Just last week Rob and his wife Crystal returned to our partners Potter League for Animals and rescued Sadie - another tripawd hound - after Rob said that Gus has taught us that sometimes 3 is better than 4, so another tripawd in the family would just be more better!

Friends, all 358 Pet Valu stores are closing permanently and will no longer accept online orders. If you have gift cards, use them as soon as possible, and check with your local store for their closing date:

**ELECTION UPDATE** Denver residents voted to overturn the city's Pit Bull ban after 30 years!! The city's mayor, who blocked a similar effort just 9 months ago, indicated that he won't stand in the way of this becoming law. Got a Pittie? Post a pic and share the happy news: https://buff.ly/2IaRazq

In 2017 now 10 year-old Abby was adopted to David, Navy veteran, and his wife Valerie. Several years earlier the pint sized pup was kennel mates with Jazzy, a nearly identical older pup adopted to David through our program and who died a few years later. Well in order to soothe their broken hearts David and Valerie volunteered at our partners Big Dog Ranch Rescue, and to their surprise Abby had been returned by her previous adopters. The couple knew that from her perch in heaven, Jazzy sent Abby to them, not wanting to see her former kennel buddy or her humans spend their lives alone. Share if this makes you smile!

Six months after their adoption, LeAnna and 7 year-old Zeus are lightyears from where they started their lives together. Despite the rigors of serving in the Army, LeAnna has devoted herself to helping Zeus heal from a whole host of challenges; she's our kind of human! "Zeus was picked up on the side of the road by animal control severely emaciated. He should weigh between 80-90 pounds but weighed in at 60. When I got him from Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland (SDS) he was 70....8.... His ribs and vertebrae are still prominent but he’s almost where he should be on weight. SDS took him in from animal control and had him for a little over a week. They let me know that he was reactive to men. If he was out of the kennel he would run from the male workers but if in his kennel he reacted aggressively especially if cornered. I live in a very dog-friendly neighborhood so Zeus is getting more comfortable around males. It will be awhile before attempting any close introductions but the fact that he not reacting or growling toward that gender anymore is encouraging. The first day I had him I turned on the tv and was watching Star Trek and he started barking and growling at the men on screen. That’s when I realized how intense his fear is. He’ll get there eventually with time and patience. I really lucked out with Zeus." Pets like Zeus come into homelessness after untold abuse and neglect. They reveal their stories to us not in words, but through their behavior and body language. It's our job as their guardians to unravel their story and help them write a new and better one, a life more free from anxiety and fear, a life without want, a life of love.

One particular lucky pup was rescued from the China dog meat trade and journeyed to Florida, where a counterintelligence agent used all of his skills to help the wary dog feel at home. Read the story of Bill and Ricky! >> http://pfp.care/bill-ricky

In 2012 Stephanie and then 2 year-old Gabi were adopted. The Navy veteran and her trusty sidekick stuck together during numerous deployments, PCS, and other adventures, and just celebrated 8 years adopted - AND Gabi's 10th birthday! We love getting - and sharing - updates years after our official adoption follow ups are over. Veterans and pets in our program are parts of our extended Pets for Patriots family, and we love them all!

Thank you to everyone who was inspired by Izzie's plight to donate to our hero fund for veterinary care! Izzie is recovering from her surgery and is very proud to have inspired a total of $620 in donations so far, which will help other dogs and cats in our program who need lifesaving care. We'd love to get this to $1,000 (or more) because we have some major hero fund needs coming up...stay tuned for more on those. And it would mean everything to veterans applying for support to hear us give them a big "YES!"

Benny will be wearing his superhero costume tomorrow for Halloween. Share pix of your pet stepping out for some treats - and maybe a few tricks, too!

Did you hear? Chewy is now offering a free telehealth service for pets for those enrolled in their Autoship program. Read the article and tell us if you would use this - why/why not. Discuss! https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/28/chewy.html

Yesterday we told you about Bill, Vietnam veteran, who after losing his wife of 53 years adopted a heaven-sent dog who reminded him of his MWD Shadow. Thanks to Potter League for Animals and NBC 10 WJAR you can hear Bill in his own words!