When we receive a surprise present, we say, “Christmas came early!”
This short story, however, is one of a kind and is more than a gift for any occasion.
A dog named Brindle has been in a sad and depressed state, for the past nine months. The reason is that it’s been that long since he has seen his human friend, JD Aument, who is currently serving in the Army Reserves as a firefighter.
Brindle couldn’t help but miss his best friend now that he was out of reach and a thousand miles away.
Rachel Marie Aument, JD’s wife, couldn’t help but recognize Brindle’s agony and change in attitude after her husband left.
“He’s so sad without him here,” Rachel told The Dodo. “He loves me, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not his person.”
A few years ago, JD adopted Brindle from a dog shelter.
From there, the two established an amazing relationship and were literally inseparable – until JD had to deploy.
Xander, the family’s other puppy, also found it difficult to be without JD.
However, since the latter created a stronger bond with Rachel, he has found it easier to cope with the absence of one parent. Brindle, on the other hand, was heartbroken.
Rachel couldn’t endure when she saw the dog’s distress.
“He has days where he just sits at the front window, crying,” Rachel said.
Brindle has clearly been on the lookout for some indication of JD. Every day, he waited for him to return home, but he never did, and he was deeply saddened with each passing day.
JD longed for his best friend back home, and he knew his dog felt the same way.
JD sent Brindle a package in the mail containing something he knows will make Brindle very happy – his unwashed shirt bearing his fragrance.
This is to help him cope with the sorrow of missing him before he returns home.
Rachel decided to document the moment Brindle got his father’s gift, and he absolutely loved it!
“He immediately knew that it was JD’s shirt. There was no doubt about it. I was crying so hard while recording his reaction,” Rachel shared.
The dog was sniffing the shirt and rubbing his body against it, with his tail wagging. After months of waiting, Brindle was overjoyed to finally feel his best friend’s presence.
“He carried [the shirt] up to bed with him after the video and slept with it the rest of the day,” Rachel said.
Even though JD was not physically there, he was there in spirit, and Brindle couldn’t be happier.
Brindle didn’t mind bringing JD’s shirt around with him, but Rachel had a better idea for making him feel closer to JD.
She made him wear his shirt.
“I think he felt a little abandoned when JD left and the shirt helped reassure him that Dad still loves him and is coming back,” Rachel added.
The good news is that Brindle won’t have to depend on the shirt for long, as JD is expected to return in around a month.
He’ll get to cuddle his favorite person for real soon enough.
The reunion will definitely be a blast!
As it turns out, Brindle isn’t the only one moved by JD’s wonderful gift.
“I miss JD so much and it was the first time any of us had smelled him in almost 10 months,” Rachel confessed. “I had to take a minute with the shirt for myself before I could share with Brindle.”
What a very sweet story!
Take a look at the memorable gift Brindle received in the video below!
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