Back in 2016, former Army Specialist Ken Wyrsch was working at an army base in Iraq when he made a most unusual friend. While working one day, he spotted a street dog nearby.
It turned out it was a stray mutt — and a rather bold one at that. The dog proceeded to walk right onto the army post — and that was that.
Ken immediately fell for the dog, just a puppy at the time, and it didn’t take long before he had won over Ken and all of the other soldiers’ hearts.
They called the dog Ollie — and Ken raised him as if he was his own.
The moment Ollie walked onto the base, Ken felt drawn to him. He just knew, that instant, that he couldn’t let this dog continue to suffer on the streets.
Ken took Ollie under his wing. He took good care of him and fed him generously and it wasn’t long before Ken took on the role of Ollie’s master. Needless to say, Ollie couldn’t be more thrilled about the new best friend he had luckily inherited.
A Loyal Friend
Ollie loyally awaited Ken every time he was gone on a mission, wagging his tail enthusiastically upon seeing him again.
“He was like a morale booster,” Ken explained.
“He was there when we left our missions, he was there when we got back,” Ken told CBS SF.
Ken and Ollie bonded and they became closer and closer as Ollie grew up. Ken made sure to spend as much time as possible with his best friend.
Sad Separation
But the day came that it was time for Ken to leave. The entire base was being shut down, meaning Ollie would lose his buddies and end up once again on the street. Ken was heartbroken.
He feared that Ollie would not survive the harsh street dog life, especially in a country where attitudes towards street animals were not favorable — and because Ollie was such a gentle and loving dog.
The Only Right Thing
Ken simply couldn’t let that happen.
“You never leave a friend behind,” Ken told KPIX. “Can’t do it.”
When he returned home, he immediately enlisted the help of the SPCA International to see if they could raise the funds needed to get Ollie sent to his home in California.
And it worked! In May 2016, thanks to generous donations, Ollie arrived in the USA.
Watch the video below revealing the moment Ollie and Ken are reunited. Grab a tissue, this is one of the most heartwarming reunion videos you will see today...
Share this wonderful story if you agree this soldier has a heart of gold and to wish Ollie the best of luck with his new life in America!
