A man named Nick Pierzchalski was a medevac pilot for the Army National Guard during the war in Iraq. During his time there, Nick saved countless lives by flying wounded soldiers out of hostile areas and into safety. Thanks to him and his crew, many of our brave soldiers were able to come home to their families.
However, the job was stressful and despite the number of lives Nick saved, he was already feeling the emotional stress of being thousands of miles away from his home and family. He was homesick and his morale was also suffering. However, just when everything seemed bad, something happened that gave Nick hope and comfort.
At the army base where Nick was stationed, a stray dog ran up to him and befriended him. Nick decided to call the dog Airys. He also found out that Airys was part of a pack of stray dogs that were wandering the ravaged city looking for food. Since Airys had no family, Nick decided to adopt her.
As months went by, Airys became Nick’s constant companion which reminded him of home. He considered Airys as his only family in the war-torn country of Iraq and felt so much better whenever Airys was with him. Nick built a kennel for Airys in the hangar, fed her, and played with her. Airys also decided to leave her pack and stay with Nick at the military base.
Nick and Airys became inseparable. Although Airys didn’t get any leash training, she didn’t run away or wander around the base. She was always with Nick and was well-behaved. However, Nick’s tour of duty in Iraq was almost over and he knew that he was going to be sent back home soon. Although Nick was happy that he was finally going back home to be with his family, he was also sad since it also meant leaving behind Airys.
Nick already considers Airys as a part of his family and was actively findinga way to get Airys out of Iraq and into his Florida home. So, when Nick was about to leave Iraq, he entrusted Airys to his fellow soldiers who gave her the best care. Not long after getting back home, Nick got in touch with SPCA International for help to get Airys into the US.
It wasn’t an easy task but the staff and volunteers at the SPCA International made it happen. After a few months and lots of paperwork, Nick finally got the call that he was waiting for. Airys was finally being flown to the United States. When the day came for the reunion, Nick was a little nervous thinking that Airys wouldn’t remember him at all. Besides, it’s already been months since they’ve been together.
However, as soon as Airys arrived and Nick opened her cage, Nick’s worries disappeared. Airys gave Nick a little sniff and she immediately recognized him. Airys started crying and rolling over the ground asking for belly rubs from her old friend. It was one of the most heartwarming and tear-jerking reunions between a man and his dog. Watch the video of the heartwarming reunion below.
Video Source Zoo Land via YouTube