Jesus earned the title of naval officer over the course of his still ongoing military career. His heroic nature now includes giving a shelter dog – who some would consider past his prime – a life of smooth sailing.

A life of service

In 2012 Jesus enlisted in the Navy. He was living in North Carolina, but was soon dispatched to San Antonio, Texas, for boot camp.

While there Jesus trained as a master-at-arms. These professionals perform a wide range of law enforcement and security roles. They serve on base, aboard naval ships, and at military installations worldwide.

After bootcamp Jesus dispatched to his first duty station in Annapolis, Maryland. Assignment aboard the nuclear-powered CVN72 Abraham Lincoln Aircraft Carrier would follow.

In 2019 Jesus received his first commission, that of naval supply officer.

Still more training followed. Jesus attended officer candidate school in Newport, Rhode Island. Then it was off to Groton, Connecticut for supply school, department head school, and officer basic submarine school.

Following these trainings Jesus reported to the USS Missouri SSN780 attack-class submarine in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

“Silent service”

The young naval officer continued to impress his superiors. A decade after enlisting he would earn another milestone opportunity.

“In December 2022, [I was] selected for a fuels internship for two years,” he says. “[I’m] currently serving as the Naval Air Station Oceana Fuels Officer.”

In this military occupational specialty, or MOS, Jesus is tasked with nearly every aspect of fueling – and defueling – naval craft.

Throughout his tours of duty and various MOS Jesus has many memorable adventures. But one stands out among the rest, when the naval officer deployed aboard a submarine in the Western Pacific.

“Best experience that I will never be able to tell anyone,” he says. “Silent service.”

Love at first sight

Jesus and his family live currently in Chesapeake, Virginia, near NAS Oceana.

A chance look at a shelter dog’s photograph pulled at the young officer’s heart.

It was early December 2023 when Juicy – since renamed Maddie, or Madison – entered Virginia Beach SPCA.

Since 2012 the organization offers veterans in our program 25 percent off adoption fees. Our members receive access to the shelter’s low-cost veterinary clinic as well.

“We saw a picture of Maddie and fell in love with her,” Jesus recalls.

“We had to rescue her and make her a part of our family.”

At the time Juicy was a five year-old mix. She has coloring and markings like a Doberman and the disposition of a Labrador Retriever.

Like too many dogs and cats she found herself without a home through no fault of her own.

Reach out

Staff at Virginia Beach SPCA told the young naval officer about Pets for Patriots. We offer many benefits to make pet adoption more affordable over a pet’s life.

Jesus researched us online before deciding to apply.

“My wife and I looked up Pets for Patriots,” he says, “and the staff was amazing and helped us so much with our new dog.”

Two days after we approved Jesus’ application he finalized Maddie’s adoption.

“Reach out to Pets for Patriots!” he exclaims.

“They are the best staff out there and will give you all the information and help you can ever need to adopt your new dog.”

Or cat.

Sweet as sugar

In the year since their adoption Jesus and Maddie have become close as ever. The big dog, now six years old, is always part of her household’s adventures.

‘Sweet’ is the quality the naval officer uses most in describing his new best friend.

“She gives us the sweetest looks and is always cuddling,” he says.

It may be hard to imagine a cuddlesome, 60-plus pound dog. Yet Maddie knows not of her size. All she knows is that Jesus and his wife gave her the second chance at life that all homeless animals deserve.

Jesus did more than throw a lifeline to a once unwanted dog. He welcomed a new member of the family that he did not even know he was missing.

“She is the sweetest dog ever,” he says, “and has made this family complete.”