Some things never really change, and these include the love shared between a retired military working dog and his former handler. The bond remains even after years of being apart.
Pets being reunited with their loving owners can easily melt our hearts. But when we’re talking about military working dogs, the expectations might be a little different. These dogs love their job more than anything, and it’s unusual for us to see them being playful and loving with their handlers. In an emotional story of Carlos and Donnie’s reunion, we’re about to see the deep connection between military handlers and working dogs.
In August 2024, after years of being apart, military dog handler Carlos Aranda and military working dog Donnie finally reunited at Lemoore Naval Air Station. After three years of being in service together, the handler and military dog were separated when Aranda was transferred to another location. With the help of Paws of War, an organization that reunites military personnel with their retired working dogs, Aranda found himself reunited with his loyal companion.
How the Bond Started
Following the tradition that military dogs should be one rank higher than their handlers, Donnie was paired with Aranda back when the latter was still a newbie in the Navy. The two worked side by side, completing one mission after another and ensuring the safety of countless lives. The bond between them grew over the years and Aranda credits Donnie for the invaluable things he learned as a seasoned military dog handler.
Aranda shared that Donnie understood the job inside and out. He showed his handler the ropes in surprising ways. And to this date, Donnie still finds it amazing how a dog can teach a human so much. The two spent three years of working together in Norfolk, Virginia. Their journey was filled with milestones, including the completion of thousands of explosive sweeps and Donnie offering his security service to a US president.
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Donnie Without His Military Handler
Life was like a roller coaster ride for Donnie, with lows that he had to face alone. The military dog got separated from his handler when the latter was restationed to Lemoore. During the time they were apart, Donnie suffered from a leg injury while on duty. The injury was severe and led the military dog to retire in July 2024.
Despite being away from Donnie, Aranda made sure to get the latest updates about his former canine partner. When he received the news that Donnie is being retired, he knew he had to do something. The thought of Donnie on retirement without him by his side was too much to bear. This pushed Aranda to call Paws of War, the organization that made the heartwarming reunion possible.
Paws of War is dedicated to “helping both ends of the leash,” rescuing animals in dire situations and reuniting military personnel with their canine partners. The organization is also known for providing loyal service dogs to those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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The Joyful Reunion
The team over at Paws of War was eager to help Aranda. They arranged for Donnie’s transfer from Norfolk to Lemoore so he can be with his former handler again. Nicki Dawson, a Paws of War member, said that they are committed to dogs like Donnie. The organization provides everything a retired dog could need, including food and medical care. This is to make sure their comfort during their retirement years.
At Lemoore Naval Air Station, the much-awaited, emotional reunion happened. Everyone present was delighted to see the bond and love between Aranda and Donnie. Aranda said that Donnie has always been a family. He also added that this is now his chance to repay Donnie for all the years he showed loyalty. Aranda was also grateful for Paws of War as they gave back a piece of his heart.
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From The Club
The bond between military dogs and their handlers is incomparable. Just think about the training and missions they went through together. It must have been hard for both Donnie and Aranda to be separated. But thankfully, organizations like Paws of War exists. They highlight the unbreakable bond between soldiers and canine partners, and most importantly, they give older pets a second chance at life and all the love they deserve.
