Wayne did not expect retirement to be lonely. So the Marine Corps veteran decided to fill the void with a lovable, older Pit Bull he met at a local shelter.

Seeking direction

After high school Wayne was unsure what he wanted to do with his life. In 1985, two months after graduation, he enlisted in the Marines.

“[I] went to boot camp with three others friends from school,” he recalls. “Two got out during boot camp. I made it with one other classmate.”

What followed boot camp was a decade of service as a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic for the KC-130.

These professionals ensure the integrity of various systems essential for flight readiness and operations.

Most of Wayne’s service was stateside. He served four years each in Illinois and California, and two in Okinawa, Japan.

It was overseas where the Marine had his fondest memory of service.

“One of the best experiences I had while serving was getting certified in scuba diving in Okinawa, Japan in 1992,” he shares.

“It was unbelievably beautiful waters.”

Wayne’s world

After separating from the Marines, Wayne worked for 22 years as a corrections officer for the state of Maryland. Several years ago he retired for good.

The Marine veteran spends time playing guitar and singing for his church. Sometimes he gigs with another musically inclined friend.

Despite these meaningful pursuits Wayne still felt disconnected. Life in retirement was more tranquil—and more lonely—than he had anticipated.

“It was lonely being by myself at home while [my] wife is at work,” he confides.

But Wayne’s world was about to get much less lonely.

Hope for a home

One weekend Wayne’s wife saw a TV segment about available pets at Baltimore Humane Society.

Since 2013 the shelter has made almost 150 adoptions through our partnership. For veterans in our program they waive adoption fees and give 10 percent off at their wellness clinic.

“My wife saw Kaszpian on a Sunday morning news program and she knew I always wanted a brindle Pit Bull,” Wayne says.

“[She] called the shelter and found out about Pets for Patriots’ program.”

We offer benefits additional to those offered by our animal welfare partners. It is part of our goal to drive down the costs of pet guardianship and encourage adopting pets for life.

It was October 2024 and Kaszpian faced grim adoption prospects. He was almost eight years old, and a breed mix that is often misunderstood by would-be adopters.

But Wayne saw something else. He saw an always there buddy who would invest his retirement with a new sense of purpose.

“…loves to cuddle”

Days after we approved Wayne’s application the Marine Corps veteran adopted Kaszpian. He offers a bit of advice to other veterans who may be thinking about adopting their own best friend.

“I highly recommend the Pets for Patriots program to all veterans,” he says. “There are many pets that need to have a family and a home!”

In the months since their adoption, Wayne and Kaszpian have settled into a new routine.

The Marine veteran has become more active and his new charge is relishing his second chance at life.

“He’s very happy and all he wants to do is play ball,” Wayne says, “and loves to cuddle.”

Kaszpian is proof positive that bully breeds are often misunderstood. It is true that they remain the breed type of choice for criminals who engage in dog fighting—a felony in all 50 states.

Yet countless adopters know Pitties as loving and loyal companions.

For Wayne, Kaszpian is most definitely a lover, not a fighter. He has filled a void left by retirement, one that could only be filled by a rescued pet.

“He’s given me someone else to share my love and companionship with, besides my family.”