6 Pet-Soldiers Reunion Stories That Will Make Your Heart Melt

Pets do miss their owner. It’s a fact. They’ll greet us after we’re away for a short amount of time like work. But what will happen if we’re away for a long time or are separated by distance because of jobs like soldiers? Here are six stories that will warm your heart.

1. Rescue dog and soldier reunite

When U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Tracy McKithern was deployed in Iraq in 2017, she found a dog that changed her life. McKithern said that a little puppy caught her eyes as it sniffled around the base with her mom.

It was apparent to her that the puppy and her mom were famished and abused. The locals would kick and hit them with rocks every day. When they first arrived, both were so dirty and they had scratches. McKithern provided them shelter and care, and the puppy and her mom began to realize that they were safe and would be fed near the base.

The little puppy was growing up and she won the hearts of many. McKithern recalled, “She loved everyone. She is the sweetest little soul. She came up to me immediately, probably hungry, but gentle. I think she was looking for love more than anything else.”

It was clear that McKithern became head over heels in love with the pup. She said the puppy was always waiting at the base for her and her colleagues from missions. The soldier then decided to adopt the puppy and call her Erby.

As January 2018 approached, her 1 year deployment was ending soon. McKithern couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her little puppy behind. She took it out on Facebook and unexpectedly got help from friends and family. “I went to sleep, woke up and my friends and family had posted links to various rescue groups. I reached out to one of them and they responded immediately,” she said.

McKithern was alone for a little while. But after she got helps from her fellow soldiers, friends, strangers, and family, she flew to Tampa and met the dog she rescued and fell in love with.

2. Reunited after 3 years of separation

Pet-soldier bonding is mostly formed when both are deployed overseas and work together under harsh conditions. But because of work, separation because of injury or reassignment are unfortunate, inevitable things that commonly happens.

As in this case, Army Spc. Vance McFarland worked together with his tactical explosive detection dog, Ikar in Afghanistan. For around 8 months, they had worked to find roadside bombs and the pair had formed a strong bond.

Sadly the fun had to end. “When we walked off the plane at Fort Bragg, I had Ikar long enough for them to take a picture before they took him away from me and sent him back to go back through the TED program and then back to Afghanistan,” said McFarland.

However, McFarland got a little help from Mission K-9 Rescue. Ikar and his dad got together again after 3 years of being away from each other.

3. Veteran reunites with cat found at Iraq

When Brad VanCleave was a government contractor in Iraq, he didn’t know he would meet a best friend. He found Mr. Meowgi the first time at the Baghdad International Airport. “In July of 2015 I saw a baby kitten and he stuck his head out from one of the shipping containers. And we started feeding it and his mom,” said VanCleave.

“Mr. Meowgi was born on our worksite in Baghdad, Iraq in June 2015, under a shipping container. I’m not sure how many kittens were born, but he was the only kitten in the litter to survive. Several of us cared for him and his mom, feeding them grilled fish and chicken, canned tuna…and his favorite; BBQ beef!” VanCleave stated on Facebook.

Since then, he and Mr. Meowgi had been inseparable. VanCleave really enjoyed his company, “It’s kind of a neat little feeling to know that you’re arriving at your work site and you’re greeting by this meowing little baby, and he’s chasing after you,” he gushed.

VanCleave was saddened when it was the time for him to leave Iraq, and he tried his best to bring his furry companion with him. He said, “I knew if I left him there and didn’t bring him back the chances of him being alive when I got back were pretty slim.” And after some efforts, Mr. Meowgi is now back again with his dad.

4. Touching reunion on The Queen Latifah Show

Soldier Jess Jempson had to be on duty in Afghanistan for more than a year. Worried about her dog, Emma, she searched and found Dogs on Deployment. So before she left, she gave Emma briefly to a foster mom.

This foster ensured that Emma and her mom maintain contact while she was working overseas. The foster mom went so far as setting up a Facebook page filled with photos and videos for Jempson so she could check them out and feel a bit closer to home.

5. Ragdoll kitty who can’t hold his excitement to meet his dad

I honestly awwed and sobbed hard the first time I watched this. This one is my personal favorite because this shows that not all cats are aloof and dogs aren’t the only animal that miss their owners and get excited when they’re reunited.

Before watching this video you might think, “Okay, let’s say cats do miss their daddy or mommy, but the feeling is different and it’s not as touching.” I get where that come from, but that’s not always the case. Dogs and cats have different personalities, and cats especially show their affection their way, and the owners (given time to get to know the cats) will know.

And hold that thought before watching this video, because this one gives you the feels. This ragdoll cat called Finn looks like he has been missing his daddy the entire time he was on duty. At first, he meows loudly at the front door. His mom then asks him “Who’s coming?” and the meow intensifies.

Mom asks again “Did you hear him? Who’s home?” the excited Finn then bolts towards the door and waits. The door unlocks and dad comes in. When mom says, “It’s Daddy, isn’t it? He’s coming!” Finn can’t contain his excitement. He continuously meows and rubbing himself on his dad’s feet.

But the best part is when dad says, “What’s going on, Buddy? It’s me!” and Finn just jumps to his dad’s shoulder and his dad catches and pets him. It must feels so good to him to finally meets his dad.

6. Military dad meets his German shepherd again

As you can see from the video, a german shepherd called Ranger is just playing with his favorite toy. Little did he know that that afternoon is going to be one of the best days of his life. In the video, the man throws a toy for him to fetch and when he goes back, his daddy is there!

You know this moment is so exciting for Ranger that he can’t stop woofing, talking, and wagging his tail. And he even forgets about the ball he’s holding! These kind of stories are always a heartwarmer or tearjerker.

Which one is your most favorite stories? Do you have similar or the same experience? Tell us your stories and thoughts in the comments below. For pet related reading, make sure to click on this article.

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