Patriot interview: Michael and Buddy

Michael is an Air Force veteran and widower who in May 2015 adopted Buddy, a then seven year-old Basset Hound/Welsh Corgi mix through our partnership with Humane Society of Pinellas. Subsequently we helped Buddy  pay for high-cost medications for a chronic skin condition discovered post adoption, through a fundraising campaign. Without the financial support, Michael faced the prospect of having to surrender Buddy back to the shelter. Around the same time, we participated in a campaign to raise a dog food donation for Buddy; see this post for details and additional content. P.S. We have enough photos; no need to request additional. Interview should cover:

• Brief background of military experience: when/why entered the military, any memorable moments/events
• Prior experience having a pet; why member decided to adopt a pet at this time
• Why member decided to adopt through Pets for Patriots
• Why member chose his/her pet in particular
• How the pet has helped him/her
• Member's experience with Pets for Patriots
• What s/he would say to another veteran who is considering adopting a companion pet
• If s/he is using our local veterinary partner: anything to add about experiences with them
• Anything else that naturally arises through the course of the interview

Please remind the member to send pictures of himself/herself and the pet; the story cannot be published without them: https://www.petsforpatriots.org/contact-us/ Contact information and email introduction will be provided to writer who claims this story.

From various post adoption follow ups, in order of most recent: Buddy is doing great. He has stopped shedding so much but still has a bit of an itching problem. The food from Dogs for Dogs has helped and he likes it right well. Which is good as he has plenty of it now! We have a nice dog park less than a mile from the house he enjoys going there and sniffing everything. I get will some pictures next time we go. He loves to ride in my truck and it is cooling off some now so he can go more often. At first he would just jump out the first chance he got but he quickly learnt to stay until I tell him it is OK to get out. Thanks to all of you, for everything you have done, Michael and Buddy…. ++ I'm sure you know i got the dog food shipment by now. That was such a nice thing to do and i really do appreciate it! I have thanked Beth already but I would to thank you and your wonderful staff too! As I am typing this Buddy is over at his food bowel munching away, he really likes it! ++ Buddy is doing well. He sure had no problem becoming a member of this family. On the trip home he curled up and put his head in my lap and we have been good friends ever since. There is another dog and 2 cats (they are not mine) here and they get along fine. Most nights he hops up on the bed and sleeps by my feet, which is fine by me.. I do not know anything about his past but I think someone must have abused him at one time, he does not like anything (except toys) thrown at him, it makes him cringe and upset, so I am careful not to scare him. And even though he is 7 he still likes a good game of tug -of-war. He is my shadow and follows me around the house and he loves to ride, if i pick up my keys he's dancing and prancing ready to go! He is very well house trained but he has a stubborn streak and sometimes i have to literally push him out the door to go potty. He is getting better at it though. I would like to thank all of you again for helping me get and keep him, he is a good Buddy! ++ Buddy is doing well, the shaved spot on his butt has grown back in so he looks much better too! He really is a good dog, although a bit stubborn sometimes. He gets along well with other animals, both cats and dogs. And he LOVES to ride, he knows when i pickup my keys it is time to go and he is ready! I take him whenever I can but never take him when he would be left in my truck for too long. I hate to leave him behind but it is for his own good, when the Florida weather cools down a bit he will get to go more.... He is very curious, if I bring a bag in he wants to know whats in it. He is my shadow around the house and follows me most everywhere I go. His favorite thing is to be brushed and I usually give him a go at it several times a day. I have to thank you all again i sure like having him around! Michael......and Happy dog! ++ Things are going great, Buddy is a good dog and companion, and a quick learner too. At first he tried to run over me getting out of my truck but now after a few lessons he waits until I tell him its OK. (he loves to go on rides and I take him when ever I can.) He has good house manners and does not bother the home owner's 2 cats. His new medication has taken care of his itching problem and he is a lot more comfortable. We have a nice green area behind our home and we go for walks often. Thanks again for all you have done. ++ First let me thank you again for helping me get Buddy. He is a good dog and a great companion. He loves to go for rides and I take him when ever I can, (I never leave him in a hot car!). He knows when i pick up my keys I'm leaving and he is ready to go too! He never "goes" in the house, and gets along fine with the dog and 2 cats that already live here. Over all he is a great dog and I am happy to have him. We really enjoy our walks in the large green space behind our home I do have one problem and it is not with Buddy. When i got him he had a hot spot at the shelter that they had treated and it seemed to be OK. He was not in my home long before it was evident he had an itching/scratching problem, so I took him to the vets and he has some kind of allergy. I feel a bit mislead by the shelter as anyone who was around him for long would have seen that he had a itch problem, (Canine Atopic Dermatitis) and they should have told me. I would have chose a different dog , just because I am on a fixed income and now I will have a rather large monthy bill for his medication. (I have no intention of returning him to the shelter he IS a good dog and worth keeping.) I feel like they did not disclose his problem so I would take him, like I said anyone who was around him for any length of time could see he was scratching and biting all the time. But I will deal with it, and I hope we can get it fixed! Also thank you for the gift certificate,he got a pile of good things from Wag's. We appreciate it !! Thanks! Michael and Buddy....