Staff sergeant reunites with retired military dog

Staff Sgt. Thomas Watkins reunited with Blek, a now-retired military dog whom he used to handle at a duty station.
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#veteransday #military #dogs #gma

[@breebrat56]

Blek more than earned his amazing family, retirement, food & vet care fully covered the rest of his days! ❤ as a working dog handler to my service dog, that’s a huge blessing because a working dog is expensive. Especially for emergencies, and as their older years require more vet care to ensure they have the best & most comfortable life as age makes it harder to move. ❤ You have to be on top of their care because they do so much and often your life is in their paws. ❤ It’s 1 million percent worth it! ❤

[@annagarner1280]

Dam straight ...

[@BindhuAbraham-q8c]

Thank u for everything u do. Will u take care of ur dog after he retires?

[@chrisb7142]

Wow! Food and Vet Care for the rest of his life?! Incredible!

[@ThomasLauersdorf]

These military dogs deserve the same consideration has the soldiers they protected. The best of us is shown how we treat the ones that serve.

[@CarolanneTitmus-Greene]

Retired service dogss should have VET status.

[@pattyleovic8041]

What a good pretty boy. God bless lots of hugs❤

[@petmom1967]

So glad there is a non profit that does the right thing. Thanks Jason!

[@christopheryoung194]

Good job Sergeant Watkins! Very proud of you and the work you’ve done in the K9 world.

[@publicuser2534]

Defense Fortis! HUA Air Force!

[@courtney9213]

Pocket full of treats ❤❤ he deserves it!!!!! Thank you for your service sergeant Thomas and Bleck

[@es5605]

Love Blek! ❤ Happy retirement sweet Blek!!

[@EmillieAn-s1r]

Congrats Thomas with your reunion & TY for your service !!!! TEARS OF LUV LUV LUV for you & Blek....please take care of each other !!! God Bless you BOTH. Hope you continue to be in reserve & do what you DO best & be a military HANDLER 😘

[@see-rious-ley]

Blek was more excited on emptying his former handler’s pocket full of treats than reuniting for a second 😅💕💕💕❤️❤️❤️

[@lynr8060]

This was so heart warming to see. Such an awesome human being and soldier who loves his pup. I’m so happy this pup got an opportunity to reunite with his owner he bonded with. Dogs are truly amazing, especially the ones who serve our cities and country. This was so touching. And thank God for project k-9 hero for helping these pups. ❤️🐾

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

What an incredible organization!!!

[@Dachshund-Nator]

Beautiful dog, beautiful people there! Dogs are the best people I know! 🐕 👍

[@evabright8735]

Thank you and Blek for your service!

[@ashleygola9400]

Love this! Thank you both for your service❤

[@kristideem8351]

LOVE IT U TAKE CARE OF THE BOY. GOD BLESS U AND BLEK

[@DebbieRay-km2ou]

Thank You For Your Service. We Love You

[@francescacastiglione7094]

Such a great story! Thank you both for your service!

[@0324chloe]

So many HORRIFYING animal stories out there. How beautiful was this? 💜💜💜

[@kimberlycorliss9616]

Blek is so relaxed with you Sergeant!❤

[@jilllingenfelter4682]

Thank you to all the hero’s for your selfless service guys God bless you guys :)

[@keithmayhew2161]

Beautiful dog..Thank you for your service BLEK & Staff Sgt. Watkins..I,hand salute you both..

[@lucieleimbach]

Thank you for your service Blek and Sgt. Watkins. 🇺🇸

[@lydialiedman9653]

I am so happy for this reunion between a man and his special best friend. God bless them both

[@soyyo143]

God Bless our Military and God Bless America! Thank you men and women (and dogs) for your service!!

[@lisaasbill8984]

Blek is absolutely gorgeous 🐾♥️ So happy he could be with his family! Thank you both for your service😊

[@frantremblay1630]

I very briefly worked with a USAF base public affairs office when they had a prospective article for the base newspaper come in from the security police unit. They had one of their K-9 service dogs retiring, and the unit wanted to put an article in the paper, outlining the dog's service accomplishments, just like any other airman completing their military duties. I remember the PA office chief campaigned hard to publish the article, but base command had veto rights over the paper and ultimately shot it down. Military service dogs ARE veterans and they deserve all of the respect and support that we should be giving to our human service members. I salute service dogs, their handlers, and the organizations that help them live healthy and happy post-service lives!

[@karenstafford724]

So happy for both of them. What a heartwarming story. ❤❤❤😊

[@lindajohnson1201]

I love this! Pups like him need and deserve special care in retirement. Gratitude to his handler and thanks for protecting us with your service.

[@pennywelton7836]

This was a great way to start my morning!! I love this story and thank you both for your service. Thank you Project K-9 for taking care of Blek and ensuring that he could be reunited with his former handler.

[@Justfedup47]

Unconditional Love...Never Forgets U..

[@Al-cl2ti]

So happy to see them together…bless them both ♥️🐾🙏…thank you both for your service 🇺🇸💝🥹

[@danarobb9974]

Best ever!!’❤❤❤

[@peacemaker-du4hz]

welcome home blek and thank you both for your service to our country

[@LeniG-123]

Heartwarming story. He's gorgeous, ...& Blek is pretty awesome too! 😉

[@wendyh3891]

Wow what a beautiful dog! So glad he’s reunited with Thomas ❤️❤️❤️❤️ from me in South Africa 🇿🇦🐕🐾🐾

[@kristinemcclary5559]

❤🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️ Thank you BOTH for your service to protect and defend our country.

[@danarobb9974]

They is soooo wonderful they do this. Such a heart warming ability for the soldiers. They do deserve this. ❤❤❤

[@Bwiebbe9713]

Thank you for your service to both you and your dog

[@kimberlycorliss9616]

I'm so happy for both of you!

[@sherriroe4806]

Thank you for your service 🇺🇸

[@patriciawilson1836]

Blessings to all of you who made this happen for making the world a better place than you found it. ❤❤

[@Leah-mf7ye]

So beautiful ❤

[@lynboxer2920]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! THOMAS & BLEK!!! GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, BE HAPPY & SHARE LOVE FOREVER!!!

[@ps0726]

So, so glad for both of you. About time for both of you.❤

[@Taraclellandjones]

We need more of these stories in our lives!

[@yvonnemurray5537]

I’ve never heard of this organization…but what a great group to reunite our military handlers with their K9’s! Cannot believe that our government wouldn’t have programs to support our K9’s that retire as they do with our human military retirees!!! Great story….send it to every Senator, Congress person AND the White House!!!

[@judyeason299]

Beautiful team! Congratulations. I'm so happy for you guys.

[@janwalters3426]

Thanks to both of you for your sacrifices in service to our country.🇺🇲💙

[@wesner326]

What a beautiful story! Blek is exactly where he belongs. Thank you both for your honorable service!

[@kobusdutoitbosman6240]

just fantastic…‼️ 🪖

[@MinhSen11]

Beautiful story! Tears. Thank you for your service, humans and canines. They euthanize these dogs after their work??? Thank goodness there are options

[@theresahaines2647]

Thank you, God. 🙏 ❤ 🫂 😊

[@christinahall3318]

Beautiful story. Beautiful life!

[@AlignedRelationships]

Just signed up for monthly donations to Project K9 hero. What a beautiful story! 🐾

[@lxn2850]

Great!!!!! ❤❤❤

[@paulettebillinge]

Absolutely brilliant, what a stunning dog. ❤❤

[@4BluDolphins]

Totally awesome…❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@retiredcatlady]

❤❤❤❤ i am crying with joy!!

[@nancyaguirre2307]

Well deserved by two soldiers!

[@alicialumpkin7785]

Love to see this kind of news love it❤❤❤❤❤😢

[@carolshannon6449]

*wipes away a tear...sniff...*

[@JulzHair]

I LOVE this!

[@monicavillarreal3902]

The thought of euthanizing a military dog is insane. They need to be protected. Afterall they protected our military. Veterinarians should offer free care to military dog period.

[@kathyjaissle6791]

Love this so much ❤️

[@Erica-wy8zx]

Euthanize a dog after years of service?! Luckily this group exists.

[@K_patts8370]

That’s just raggedy but unfortunately on brand!!😑

[@Fionalovesme]

Aww sweet story ❤

[@Erica-wy8zx]

Can we have a follow up with them please?

[@gillianfoster1670]

Beautiful video ❤

[@normathomas1356]

Good for u

[@GamerplayerWT]

Remember that these dogs take a while to decompress from service, so pets are not what they need right off the bat.

[@K_patts8370]

He like “ my man brought treats!! He know me!!”

[@AmberDawnRising100]

I would take in a service dog in a second.

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

It is NOT a service dog at all. Military dogs are NOT service dogs.

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

It Is NOT a service dog. Military dogs are NOT service dogs.

[@johnkelly6187]

Glad ya got your partner back brother 👍🇺🇸🫡

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Looked like Blek cared more about treats than the reunion.

[@dontgiveinfo]

I understand why this dog respected this man. Big dogs or aggressive dogs respect strength and authority. A family member of mine has 2 huge dogs. One is huge aggressive and a little to playful ex. he sees a kid and thinks it's a bowling pin. The other also big, but shorter is cunning and is always trying to assert authority to whoever is near him ex. he tries to heard you like sheep. One day after several encounters. I came over. The dogs came to me. One laid at my feet. the other sat next to me. His master. Whose married to my family member called him. They ignored him. After several calls. The dogs looked at me. I gave the nod. They went to him. Needless to say. The co-owner of the dogs wasn't happy about it. i said. "hey, dogs respect authority" :)

[@jeancm.14]

❤❤❤

[@AnimalsCryToo]

❤❤

[@dianahaisma]

Thank you for your service!!😂

[@annwilkiemeyer3433]

Military Dogs🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 0:41

[@Gracie994]

Didn't look like that dog remembered him.

[@erikaleonard2848]

❤❤❤😊😊❤❤❤

[@jaevan8173]

!😊🖤!

[@Jude74]

😊❤

[@crazestyle83]

That mustache is legit

[@n.r.7298]

Why don't they just allow the dogs to go with their handler? Especially, if the dog doesn't react well to someone new.

[@GLITTERandSKULLZ]

I thought that was Billy Dee Williams. 😊

[@ДианаЗинченко-б4ж]

Crazy night 68

[@neoneve123]

He loves the dog but won't stroke him or give him love? I guess its still a work relationship.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Memories of Meghan Leavey.

[@Lauren-vd4qe]

DONT think the dog recognized the handler at all. he was eager to meet new people but there was NO recognizance by the dog. he could sniff out the treats but not the guys original scent at all. He might have put on cologne and that skewed the dogs sense of smell.

[@christopheryoung194]

You do understand that this is not a pet right? Sergeant Watkins can’t just run up and start hugging a trained K9 that was about to be put down for behavioral issues. It takes time and patience to build the bond back between the handler and k9.

[@Lauren-vd4qe]

regardless, most reunited dogs with their previous significant (in the dogs mind) owners, will quickly recognize the owners scent and be quite excited to see their owners. We dont see any of that here.@@christopheryoung194

[@quiettornado1970]

that dog is a one man dog.

[@jclpuddy]

Kind of a letdown

[@donnamanitu8673]

It's like a High School student recorded this. Doesn't use a wind screen for the mic when the filming is going to take place outside, and female report really doesn't need to do body mannerisms like she did @6:23 with swiping her hand and moving her head back and forth "what you didn't know".

[@hhhhhh2062]

Going to utilize Kinda like a Homeless vet Disposable WTF

[@austinshannon4197]

If you could have beards in the army I guarantee almost everyone would re-enlist and also more recruits. The beard is just the new style now. The army fails to adapt to modern society. The army doesn’t relize adaptation.

[@connorhanlon1209]

Sam champion Katy Perry potter pop CONNOR ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@maximzilkowski]

Cruel beaver 36

[@mdshamiulsalam6927]

America🇺🇸 bulldog….bullying other countries into submission …..Chinese bulldog….skateboarding down the street making friends in Africa / making investments around the world🤔🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@jayhawk4578]

Why did he want this dog?? He NEVER petted or even cared that he was there. He just feed him constantly treats. That poor dog needs a home with someone who cares about him.

[@Gvlant1]

I know this guy personally. He searched and searched for a nonprofit to rehabilitate the dog because no K9 handler could deal with this dog besides SSgt Watkins. Then he left to go to his next base and the next handler had more problems with the dog. Watkins searched for help because the dog was in danger of being put down. You can’t just treat these dogs like regular dogs and get in their face and pet them because they will bite you. Watkins is adopting the dog and he loves that dog because of all he did to save him, it shows trust me. But it’s going to take some time to ease into being a more affectionate relationship. So stop assuming based off what you see when you literally don’t understand the situation.

[@SheilaR.08]

Nonsense. Trainers use food rewards during training, and their dogs come to expect it. By giving him treats, he was able to hold his attention during the interview, which is full of the distractions. He loves his dog, and I'm thrilled that they were reunited.

[@SheilaR.08]

​@@Gvlant1That is so good to hear. I only saw a happy reunion, and a trainer providing the treats his dog wanted so he could finish out the interview. What a wonderful reunion!