Allison is a young Navy sailor who tired of returning to an empty home each night. An older dog and long-time shelter resident would right this veteran’s ship.

Be a Pepper

Currently in her first term of service, Allison has been in the Navy for three years. Like many veterans she had more than one motivation to enlist in the armed forces.

“I joined to serve,” she explains, “and experience more of the world.”

It is early in Allison’s naval career and memories are being forged every day. But one humorous event sticks in her mind.

“I did a ruck in Cuba with my division, and I and another service member were known for liking Dr. Pepper too much,” she says. “So once we hit the last mile of the ruck, we each had a plastic thermos of Dr. Pepper to swig to get us through.”

When she is not at work Allison likes to read and go bowling. But her life would take a more adventurous turn when, in the final days of 2023, she decided to adopt a dog.

“…a sense of purpose”

The young Navy sailor has always had a soft spot for dogs, particularly those who are more mature. And she longed for someone to care about who would return the feeling in kind.

“I grew up loving dogs specifically, always more sympathetic to the idea of older dogs not having a home,” she says. “I felt as if I needed someone to care about me coming home safe. It gives you a sense of purpose.”

Older dogs and cats are typically the most overlooked for adoption. Many people have misconceptions about the viability and life expectancies of older animals. Some worry about veterinary expenses associated with aging pets. Still others cannot bear that they will have less time with an older pet than a younger one.

But the young Navy sailor was not deterred. She believes that aging animals are worthy of adoption.

“And doing that for a dog who could not have had that outcome just makes it more special,” she explains. “Like we both need each other.”

Hello, sailor

Allison started her adoption search online and discovered Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center. While there, she learned about our companion pet adoption program for military veterans.

The shelter offers veterans we serve 50 percent off adoption fees. They have made almost 130 adoptions through our partnership as of this writing.

In early December 2023 we approved Allison into our program. Then her search began in earnest.

Ali is a petite pup who caught the Navy veteran’s eye. At the time he was almost seven years old and had chronic gastrointestinal issues. The older dog’s chances of adoption were very slim.

Shelter staff told Allison that Ali was one of their longer term residents. He was likely overlooked due to his age and medical needs.

Still the young Navy sailor was not deterred.

The 10-pound ballast

Allison arranged for an in-person visit with Ali; she was smitten on the spot. Ali was a little thing with dark, scruffy fur, pointy ears, and playful eyes.

The Cairn Terrier mix tipped the scales at a mere 10 pounds. But he showed a vitality that belied his size – and his age.

So in the waning days of December the petite older pup not only got a new home, but a new name: Sammie.

Coming home

It would take time for Sammie to come out of his shell. This is not uncommon among rescue animals. Many had multiple homes throughout their lives. Others are victims of abuse or neglect, and learn that people are not worthy of their trust.

Time, patience, positive reinforcement – and love – help these animals gain confidence.

So at first, the young Navy sailor did not receive the homecomings she had hoped for.

“In the beginning he was still not used to me and not sure if it would be home. He kept to himself and kept his head down, but now I see him happy as he trots on walks and wags his tail when I come home,” she says. “It makes a lot of things worthwhile.”

Old dog, new tricks

Still, Sammie needed some work with his behavior and his physical health.

Our hero program paid for diagnostics for Sammie’s gastrointestinal issues. A dog training pilot program helped Allison remedy Sammie’s troubling behaviors. He had extreme leash aggression, which made walking him in the neighborhood impossible.

Our dog training pilot program received seed funding from a generous grantor. Every single dog who has received this intervention training has avoided surrender and remains with his or her veteran.

For dogs like Sammie it proves that old dogs can learn new tricks after all.

Allison is grateful the support she received. It is all thanks to compassionate donors who fund our lifesaving programs.

“I was given plenty of help with training,” she says, “and help with Sammie’s medical needs.”

A sailor and a gentleman

As Sammie nears his first-year adoption anniversary he is a different older fella. His insecurities around people and other dogs are a thing of the past. And his digestive issues are under control as well.

Sammie’s true self emerged now that his emotional and physical stresses are manageable. Most of all, he is family to the young Navy veteran who sought nothing more than a sweet homecoming each day.

Now – rather than having to be separated from visitors to their home – Sammie is the star attraction.

“We play monkey in the middle whenever we have guests over and it’s his favorite,” Allison says. “He makes a cute chomp sound when he goes to catch the toy every time.”

In their quieter moments the little dog loves back scratches. He will lift up his head to express his happiness.

“It is very cute,” Allison shares. “I tell him all the time, or refer to him as, a dignified old man, or my distinguished gentleman.”