It’s a Thanksgiving miracle.
A retired military dog was finally reunited with his former US Army handler Monday after nearly three long years apart.
Eight-year-old Yyacob eagerly jumped on top of Staff Sergeant Payton May and showed off his belly as the two started their new chapter of life together.
“It just feels so nice to feel like we picked up right where we left off. I get my cuddle buddy back home. I get my person to hog my bed back, so I’m very excited about that,” May, 26, said.
“It has been really hard. It fills my heart to really see him again.”
The sweet reunion is a culmination of years of begging and pleading on May’s part to once again see his best friend.
He and the Yyacob, a beautiful Belgian Malinois, served 9 months during a tour in Iraq as part of the explosion detection team. Together, they scanned vehicles, checked those entering the base for ammunition and maintained the safety of their colleagues.
Their relationship quickly grew beyond a working relationship — the pair were together 24/7 and every night shared a twin-sized bed, most of which Yyacob took up.
They were tragically forced to part ways in 2022 when May was reassigned to Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland in Texas and Yyacob was sent to Fort Drum Air Force Base in New York.
“It was kinda heartbreaking, to be honest with you. ‘Cause I’ve already built not only that work bond with him, I also built that personal bond,” May recalled. “Having to spend a whole nine months seeing him every single day and then not seeing him … It was really heartbreaking.”
Yyacob struggled just as much as his handler — he was unable to trust and bond May’s successors, making it impossible for the military to certify him with a new handler, according to the American Humane.
In the two and a half years since, May admitted he had been “bugging” the military for information on Yyacob and updates on when they would let the pooch retire.
US Army dogs typically retire after a decade in service, but fortunately, Yyacob was relieved of his duties this fall after seven years on the job — which at one point included protecting then-President Donald Trump.
May turned to the American Humane for help reuniting with his lost pooch — and the organization made his dream come true just in time for Thanksgiving.
The reunion makes the holiday that much sweeter, said May — the active servicemember, stationed in San Antonio, is missing his family’s celebration all the way in Mississippi this year.
“Obviously, being in the military, it’s kind of hard to have to travel all the time to see your family,” May explained. “So on the holidays, it’s nice to have him, ’cause I have a piece of home with me. And actually, to me, having Yyacob back means I now have family home for the holidays with me as well.”
For their next chapter together, May and Yyacob will travel to Italy, where May will be stationed next year. But this time, Yyacob gets to enjoy the relaxation of retirement.
