Military reunion stories are always incredibly touching and heartwarming, but this one certainly is even more special.
Usually, it’s the soldier that returns back home and is reunited with their family, friends, and pets – but this time it was just a little bit different.
Army specialist Vance McFarland was deployed in Afghanistan and was partnered with the adorable four-footer Ikar, a Czech Shepherd.
Ikar, a trained K9 military dog, worked as a tactical explosive sniffer. These two weren’t only the perfect team, they complemented each other really well and instantly bonded, becoming the best of friends. They were inseparable, both on the field and during their spare time.
After McFarland’s deployment, he was finally able to return back home to the United States.
Sadly, while he looked forward to seeing everyone again for the first time in a very long time, he also knew that he had to say goodbye to someone else. His trusty and loyal four-footer partner had to go back to Afghanistan.
Ikar and McFarland were separated, and the army specialist clearly didn’t want to let go of his best friend.
As he tells his story in a video interview with USA Today, you can just hear the emotion as he talks about the moment they said goodbye to each other. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.
Normally, Ikar would have a tailored job for him back in Afghanistan, but that plan fell through.
A private company actually had a job offer lined up for the dog, but for some reason that ultimately failed. Ikar ended up staying in the country in a kennel, all alone and without any (military) friends.
He was only supposed to stay there for a couple of weeks but ultimately had to live there for over seventeen months. Ikar’s home and his friends were taken away from him, and now he had nobody.
Luckily, an animal organization heard the news about the dog and decided to step in.
Mission K9 Rescue and the US War Dogs Association did their absolute best to get these pooches back to the United States and give them the care they deserved – after all, these are also army veterans and deserve to be treated as such.
The association even did a lot of investigative work to find out who Ikar’s original handler was – in this case, McFarland.
In the interview, the soldier recalls being “stalked” on Facebook about Ikar, but he was absolutely thrilled to hear something from his old friend after years apart.
“Hope he remembers me,” he said.
In total, it took over three years before these two were able to see each other again.
McFarland was clearly worried that the four-footer wouldn’t remember who he was anymore, but their reunion speaks more than a thousand words.
Judging by the wagging tail, and absolutely elated hugs and kisses, it’s safe to safe that Ikar definitely remembers his old partner!
The pooch immediately ran towards McFarland as he yelled his name, and gave him a few sniffs and cuddles.
McFarland is one tough man, but every tough man has emotions too – their bond can only be described as an incredible friendship filled with nothing but love.
Now that the five-year-old shepherd is finally back in the United States, he can enjoy his early retirement status and has an exciting life ahead with McFarland and his family.
He’s even got two new canine siblings now, and they all get along perfectly.
The reunion video was posted on YouTube and has already been viewed over ten million times.
“These dogs should NEVER be taken from their buddies (trainers), when he comes back home so should the dogs. These dogs are magnificent! That dog was so happy & sure remembered his friend,” one viewer commented.
“When the soldier said “I love you” to his buddy, my heart started crying!” another said about the absolutely heartwarming moment.
After all those years, Ikar was finally back where he belonged.
Be sure to watch the tear-jerking reunion in the video below!
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