This was tilmed yesterday at the community adoption event in San Diego, California. The dog is Duke, a 10-year-old German Shepherd being showcased for adoption. The veteran is Tech Sergeant James Parker, 39, Air Force, walking through the parking lot heading into the store. Duke served with James in Afghanistan from 2011-2013. When Duke retired from military service two years ago, James couldn't adopt him immediately-rental restrictions. Duke went into the adoption system. James had been searching for months through databases.
Yesterday, James was at the pet store buying supplies. Had no idea there was an adoption event happening. Duke was sitting with volunteers at the outdoor table.
Watch what happened. James walks through the parking lot. Duke's head snaps up. Sees James. Goes completely rigid.
Staring. Then breaks into a full sprint. Rips the leash from the volunteer's hand. Runs straight across the parking lot. Launches into James's chest. Both crash to the ground. Duke frantically checking James's face with his nose. Whining. Tail going insane. James wrapping both arms around Duke. Sobbing. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Everywhere." Volunteer told us: "Duke saw James and just took off. The recognition was instant. l've never seen anything like it." James adopted Duke immediately. Took him home yesterday. Ten years after serving together. Found by complete chance in a parking lot. James told us: "I searched every database for months. Never expected to find him at a random pet store. But Duke found me." Sometimes the reunion you're desperately searching for happens when you're just buying dog food.
Swimmies for Weenies 🥰🥰🥰
Weenies playing fetch in the pool is the timeline cleanse I needed today. It looks like they are having the best time.
The very end is worth staying for. 😍
43 years ago, Michael Jackson stepped onto the stage in that fedora and gave the world the moonwalk for the very first time 🕺✨
A legendary Billie Jean performance that still feels untouchable today 🔥🔥
Robert Duvall called this anecdote about being recognized in Texas "my favorite story of my whole career." Full @sagaftraFOUND career conversation at https://t.co/MRiVYxX2qH
Texas A&M’s @Boone_saw one of the first Americans to walk in at Cortina during the opening ceremony, behind his sled driver Frank Del Duca, the flag bearer.
Impossible not to cry writing this...
I have some sad news.
This morning, our golden retriever, Winston, passed away.
Every morning for 10 years, I have woken up to his happy, smiling, excited face.
And tomorrow morning... I won't.
I got Winston as a sad, lonely, depressed, single man...
...and 10 years later he died knowing me as a happy, married, father.
I think the best I can do is just say thank you.
Thank you for the ten years of pure joy and love.
Thank you for the mornings.
Thank you for the walks.
Thank you for the loyalty I didn’t deserve yet.
Thank you for staying close when I was hard to be around.
Thank you for believing I was worth coming back to.
Thank you for loving my wife and my kids.
I will miss you in ways I can’t explain to anyone who hasn’t had a dog save their life without ever saying a word.
You did your job.
You got me here.
You got me home.
I'll miss you, my dear friend ❤️