A young Navy veteran became a first time cat mom when the loneliness of shore duty set in.

Storyteller of the sea

Megan has served in the Navy for more than seven years as a mass communication specialist. She describes a military occupational specialty, or MOS, that is as exciting as it is vital.

“We learn how to do photography, journalism, videography, and graphic design.”

These professionals are responsible to educate the public about naval history and achievements.

Shaping perceptions of all armed forces is critical to public support and recruitment. It buoys the morale of service members, as well.

Order of the Blue Nose

Like many veterans, Megan joined the military to expand her horizons.

“I enlisted to gain a unique experience that not everyone will have, and to learn different skills,” she explains.

Currently Megan is stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. Previous assignments put her aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

Megan served two deployments with this ship, which is homeported out of Norfolk.

The young naval sailor has many memories from her years in service. Two in particular are etched in her memory – and both occurred while she was underway, or at sea.

“A unique memory from my first deployment in 2018 was becoming a Blue Nose, which means that my ship crossed the Arctic Circle. It’s a Navy tradition,” she explains. “At that time, an aircraft carrier hadn’t operated in the Arctic Circle in nearly 30 years, so it was cool to say I was part of that.”

Another moniker – ‘shellback’ – designates a sailor who has crossed the equator.

Not all Megan’s memories were positive. During the pandemic she was at sea for longer than planned, and recalls it as a difficult time.

“My second deployment began in the end of 2019, so I was underway when the COVID-19 pandemic began. That was a pretty stressful time,” she says. “It meant that we couldn’t really have port visits, and our deployment got extended.”

Now on shore duty, Megan avails herself of the vibrant local community. She likes to visit the beach, try area coffee shops and restaurants, and travel when she has spare time.

In early 2023, however, the young sailor embarked on an entirely new journey: becoming a new cat mom.

Boots on the ground

Megan will complete her military obligation on base. She received permanent change of station, or PCS orders, and is unlikely to deploy again.

As her naval career winds down – and without the specter of going underway – Megan decided to adopt a companion pet.

“After I PCS’d from my ship to a shore duty I felt like I could settle down a bit and adopt a pet,” she explains.

“I was living alone, and thought it was a good time to bring a furry companion into my life.”

The young sailor welcomed the prospect of being a first time cat mom.

“I had never had a cat growing up because I have family members who are allergic, but I’ve always liked cats.”

A lucky black cat

Pets for Patriots has several shelter partners in the Virginia Beach and Tidewater communities. Megan visited Virginia Beach SPCA, where staff told her about our program.

The organization was among our earliest partnerships, joining forces with us in 2012. Since that time we have had hundreds of adoptions together.

Megan understood our pet adoption criteria. As it happened, the cat who piqued her curiosity fit the bill. He was already a young adult when she visited the shelter in March 2023.

Little Man was a then two year-old black cat with an ebony coat and piercing light green eyes. It is easy to see how he caught the young sailor’s gaze.

So only six days after being approved into our program Megan became a first time cat mom. One of her first acts was changing Little Man’s name to Gary.

Once home Megan set about buying all the things her new charge would need.

A generous gift card, among our many program benefits, helped the young sailor stock up.

Megan is grateful for our streamlined application process and the availability of our team along the way.

“I would absolutely recommend Pets for Patriots,” she says. “They were very easy to work with. And I really appreciated the gift card.”

“Every day he makes me smile”

It did not take long for Gary to make himself at home.

“He’s running around and playing with his toys,” Megan shares in an early post-adoption follow up. “He also sleeps in my bed every night.”

The first time cat mom is learning new things about her four-legged charge all the time. He loves to stick close by. And he has become quite the chatty little cat, too.

“I live by myself, so having Gary has helped me not feel lonely,” Megan explains. “He spends a lot of time near me, or at least likes to sit in the same room as me. He’s also a very vocal cat and has a lot to say!”

In many ways Gary is easing Megan’s ultimate journey from military to civilian life. He is a bridge; a loyal constant in her world.

And on a daily basis the fetching feline keeps the blues at bay.

“I love that my cat greets me at the door when I get home. He always comes up and meows at me, or flops over for belly rubs,” she says.

“He also likes to sleep by my feet. He’s just so adorable. Every day he makes me smile!”

Megan confides to being unsure of herself at first. After all, she never had a cat before. She was responsible only for herself. Now another life depended upon her for everything.

While a new pet can be overwhelming, most adopters find their way – with a little help from their four-legged family.

“As a first time cat owner, I was a little nervous about how he would fit into my life and routine,” she shares. “But I already can’t imagine life without him.”