Reunion stories between dogs and soldiers are always touching, and this story is no exception. In June 2017, a medevac pilot named Nick Pierzchalski reunited with a shepherd mix he had first met in Iraq. And both the dog and soldier were so excited to see each other again!
Pierzchalski first met the dog, who he named Airys, when she was a puppy.
The stray dog ran up to Pierzchalski and his fellow soldiers and started playing with them. It was a great morale booster, and all the men and women were so happy to have Airys around. Pierzchalski even built Airys a kennel in their hangar—it was her first-ever real home.
”It brought great morale to me and the whole group felt like a piece of home,” Pierzchalski told Fox 13 News. ”She’d hang out with us. She was constantly with us.”
In March 2017, Pierzchalski left Iraq and went home to Brooksville, Florida. But he never stopped thinking about Airys. He wanted to get her to Florida and officially adopt her, but he would need some help. He contacted SPCA International, who runs a program called Operation Baghdad Pups. This program helps reunite soldiers with dogs they met while fighting overseas.
SPCA International collected Airys from Iraq and got her onto a plane to the United States. Just like that, Pierzchalski’s dream of reuniting with Airys became a reality.
Three months after leaving Iraq, Pierzchalski headed to Tampa International Airport. Airys was waiting for him there.
Fox 13 News covered the reunion live. The reporter and Pierzchalski both watched as an airport employee wheeled Airys’ travel crate over to them. Then, Pierzchalski crouched down in front of the travel crate and said hello to the one-year-old dog. Airys’ tail immediately started wagging—she knew that voice!
Pierzchalski opened the carrier and Airys jumped on him, tail going a mile a minute. She didn’t want to let Pierzchalski out of her sight!
“I can’t even put it on words, I really can’t. I didn’t think I was going to get her home,” Pierzchalski says. “She remembers! I was nervous she wasn’t going to remember but she obviously does.”
Pierzchalski is excited to give Airys a yard to play in, with grass to run on and squirrels to chase. It’s something the dog who grew up in the desert never had before.
Airys and Pierzchalski are a truly bonded pair who love each other so much. This dog has a great life ahead of her!
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