When soldiers fight overseas, there are a lot of things that they miss about home. First and foremost, they miss seeing their friends, families, and loved ones. They feel homesick, and wonder if they’ll ever make it back home again. It’s a grueling experience, and we should be thankful for their sacrifices.

But sometimes, soldiers want to take a little piece of their experience overseas back home with them. That was definitely the case for Army Specialist Vance McFarland. He had a canine companion with him while he was fighting, and as time went on, the pair grew to be inseparable. But when the dog’s journey to America was stalled, the distraught soldier thought he might never see him again…until they both got the surprise of a lifetime.

It’s great to know that Ikar now gets to spend the rest of his life in a loving home with his best friend. This amazing reunion makes it clear that McFarland needs his four-legged pal just as much as the pup needs his soldier, and that’s a beautiful thing.