Lifestyle Pets Navy Officer Needs Help Bringing Home Cat She Rescued Overseas: 'He's My Security Blanket' U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms Dawn Patterson was forced to leave her pet in Bahrain when she returned to the United States following her deployment By Stephanie Wenger Stephanie Wenger Instagram Twitter Stephanie Wenger is a TV Writer/Reporter at PEOPLE. She joined the brand in 2021 as digital news writer, spanning across the site's verticals. She previously contributed to E! Online, HollywoodLife, Discover Los Angeles, Oscar.com and Hollywood.com. She appeared on air at AfterBuzz TV. She began her journalism career as an intern at Good Morning America and Access Hollywood. She graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's in communications and received a Master's in journalism from the University of Southern California. People Editorial Guidelines Published on February 9, 2022 01:57 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Paws of War U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms Dawn Patterson needs help reuniting with her beloved cat, whom she rescued while deployed overseas. Patterson could not bring her feline, Mr. Grumpuss, with her when she left Bahrain to return home to Virginia for a new deploymentdue to logistical complications, according to a release from the nonprofit Paws of War. The Navy service member rescued Mr. Grumpuss — named for his distinctive grouchy-looking face — during her fourth deployment overseas. She found the stray cat and helped nurse the animal back to health, becoming inseparable from the pet in the process. Soldier Seeking Help to Save Stray Dog He Befriended During Deployment After Pup Is Poisoned Paws of War "His Grumpy face always makes me smile. He is my security blanket," Patterson said of Mr. Grumpuss in the release. Paws of War, a nonprofit that assists military members and their pets, is helping Patterson raise funds to bring the cat to the United States and handle the complicated logistics required to transport the pet overseas. U.S. Soldiers Seeking Help on Veterans Day to Save Trio of Puppies They Rescued Overseas Paws of War "This is a nightmare that nobody who has pets would want to experience," Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War, said in a statement. "We were lucky to have someone to foster the cat while we work to raise the funds and make the arrangements to safely get Mr. Grumpuss home and reunited with his Navy officer," he added. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. Patterson — who has served in the Navy for 17 years — is eagerly awaiting a reunion with Mr. Grumpuss. Rescue Dog Helps Navy Veteran Find Peace After Returning Home and Inspires Him to Help Others "I will be so appreciative if Paws of War can help bring him back to me. My baby must be lonely and confused," she said. "So I know he will be just as thrilled to see me." To stay updated on Mr. Grumpuss' journey to the U.S. and donate to the relocation effort, visit Paws of War's fundraiser for the cat.