In 2016, Ken Wyrsch was part of the Kurdish military unit that was stationed in Iraq to fight ISIS soldiers. Ken had served in the U.S. Armed Forces, but this time he was there as a volunteer and was performing a high-stress job.

Luckily, there was a pup that wandered his way into the camp and became the men’s mascot. His name was Ollie and the soldiers fell in love with him. He was just a puppy when he came to their camp, but together they raised Ollie into an amazing dog.

Ken says Ollie was a morale booster. “He was there when we left for our missions, and he was there when we got back,” said Ken.

All of the soldiers loved Ollie, but it was Ken who was the closest to the pooch, so when he found out his camp was disbanding and shutting down, he was heartbroken. Ken knew he couldn’t leave Ollie there alone in Iraq, but he wasn’t sure how to get him home.

“You don’t leave a friend behind. You can’t do it,” said Ken. He contacted SPCA International and asked them for help to get Ollie back to America, and they agreed to help. Ken and the SPCA needed thousands of dollars just to get Ollie from Iraq to San Francisco, but they were able to raise the money they needed.

About one month after Ken made it to America, so did his furry buddy. When Ollie saw Ken he immediately jumped on his buddy and started licking his face. It was hard to tell who was more excited about the reunion.

Ken hugged Ollie and was thrilled to never have to be apart from him again. “He’s a good boy, he is. Worth it,” Ken said.

Since coming home to San Francisco, Ollie and Ken spend all of their time together. Ollie loves riding in the car where he’s become quite at home in Ken’s backseat. He’s also went along to some of Ken’s favorite stores where Ken says everyone who meets him falls in love with the pooch.

Luckily for these two, they’ll never have to be separated again. They’ve been through enough together already and have literally traveled all over the world just to be together. If their story makes you as happy as it does us, be sure to check out the video below and share the story with your friends.