Who is Juju? In 2024, Juju was just hours away from euthanasia at a Maryland animal shelter when a military family stepped in to give him a second chance.

Today, Juju lives with active-duty Navy officer Joseph and his wife, Melissa. His journey from shelter dog to beloved family companion earned him the title of 2026 American Hero Pet of the Year. As the official Dogs on Deployment mascot, Juju represents resilience, loyalty, and the extraordinary bond between people and their pets.

As our nation celebrates 250 years of independence, we also honor the military families who continue to serve our country every day. For many service members, deployments, training assignments, PCS moves, and other military obligations can create unexpected challenges for pet ownership. Too often, military families facing those challenges feel they have no choice but to surrender a beloved pet.

Through the Hero Pet Boarding Network, volunteer Boarders across the country open their homes to care for military pets during deployments, training, overseas PCS moves, medical treatment, and other service-related hardships. This support allows service members to focus on their mission with peace of mind knowing their pets are safe, loved, and waiting for them when they return home.

Every purchase from this fundraiser helps Dogs on Deployment continue providing resources, volunteer support, outreach, and program growth that keep military families and their beloved pets together.

Join us in celebrating Juju, honoring America's 250th Anniversary, and supporting the military pet community.

Get your limited-edition patriotic apparel today and help keep military families and their beloved pets together.