Pets for Patriots Finds Homes for Shelter Dogs and Cats With Veterans

Pets for Patriots Finds Homes for Shelter Dogs and Cats With Veterans
Veteran Donald Rhodes adopted Yankee, a rescue dog, through the low-cost pets-for-patriots program from Harford County, Connecticut, animal shelter. Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/TNS
Tribune News Service
Updated:

By Mike Klingaman The Baltimore Sun

BALTIMORE -- When Stacey Martin, an Army sergeant, gets home at night, she finds Autumn, er dog, by the door, sitting at attention — except for her tail, which quivers in anticipation. Martin can hardly wait, either. It’s a treasured time for both.

“I can have the crappiest day at work, but when I walk in she’s so excited to see me,” said Martin, 26, of Belcamp, Maryland. “Having an animal love you unconditionally is a feeling like no other. When I’m depressed, Autumn picks up on it, gravitates toward me and licks my face. In some of the worst times of my life, she has brought out those emotions that are near and dear to my heart.”