Dogs are humanity’s most loyal partners. That said, the world has found a way to make them work as military dogs, assisting soldiers or marines in dangerous missions. Given this dangerous and massive responsibility, the training is expected to be vigorous and usually takes a long time. When a dog passes its screening and finishes its training, it is then assigned to a military handler.
Serving together through life and death.
The handler and their canine partner should develop a bond that helps them work together with their thoughts aligned. Their job is frightening as they should always be ready to spring up to action. These dogs are taught skills like detecting dangerous substances or live bombs and even apprehending human targets.
After years of rendering service to the military, these dogs would be able to retire and live out its life in a safe home. As some military handlers could not fathom the thought of their partner being separated from them, it is always better if one ends up in the arms of its former handler.
“Absence makes the hound grow fonder”
This is what the CBS News anchor said when he opens the story about U.S. Marine Canine Handler, Sea Sergeant Jacob Varela and his sweet reunion with a military working dog that he served with for over a year. The dog’s name was Atilla code R7-89, a 9-year old German Shepherd wearing a black-brown coat. The two met and spent a beautiful, heartwarming moment at Midway International Airport, Chicago in 2019.
Their reactions when they saw each other were simply priceless.
Sgt. Varela and Atilla have not seen each other for three years but they are more than aware of the bond they shared when they were together back at the military. The two had spent time rendering service on the field at the Lackland Air Force Base.
“We were together for everything, like everywhere I went, he was with me,” Sgt. Varela told WBS news.
When they finally saw each other at the airport, you could almost see the memories flooding back in both of them as they ran to meet each other in the middle. Atilla leaped on his partner with joy with his tail wagging back and forth.
You could also hear Sgt. Varela’s high-pitched screams, as he hugged his partner, not caring about the hundreds of people eyeing them at the airport.
Atilla was retired and Sgt. Varela already knew what he had to do.
Atilla worked as a trained combat tracker and shared his service for many years in the force until he was ready to retire. Sgt. Varela learned about this and he already knew that he had to adopt him.
With Atilla’s excited tail wags, you could see that he loves the idea of being with Sgt. Varela indefinitely.
With the help of Kristen Maurer from Mission K9 Rescue, the adoption went smoothly.
Since Sgt. Varela officially left the Marine force, and we can be assured that he and his old partner are living their lives together in a safe home away from danger. Sgt. Varela now spends his time earning his college degree while keeping the bond strong with Atilla by showering him with love and attention. Watch the whole video below by clicking on the link.
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