An Old Dog Cries As She Welcomes Her Best Friend Home From The Army

Soldier Hannah Foraker came home for Christmas after being away at basic training for three months, and when she arrived at her home she was treated to quite the welcome. Her elderly dog named Buddy couldn’t be more happy to see her again.

Buddy, a 13-year-old golden retriever, could barely contain her happiness and excitement.

“We opened the front door and she came running out and greeted me and my family, but then kind of did a double take and came back to me,” Foraker told BuzzFeed.

Foraker added that Buddy had a new level of energy after she returned home. Having good friends around really is the best medicine.

Thank you for your service Hannah.

Another Sweet Dog Story

Olivia Sievers, a flight attendant from Germany, often traveled to Argentina for work. On one of those visits, she made friends with a stray dog outside her hotel—and that dog fell in love with her, prompting a story for the ages.

While sightseeing in Buenos Aires near her hotel, Sievers found the stray dog, who was friendly and clearly starved for attention.

Sievers fed him and they played for awhile—and then the dog refused to leave her side. She tried to stop him from following her back to the hotel, to no avail.

“He always came back and followed me,” she told Noticiero Trece. “I tried one hour, but he always watched me and followed me. He was really happy that somebody gave him attention.”

Even when Sievers went into her hotel, the dog didn’t appear to be going anywhere—he settled down at the entrance to wait for her. Finally, Sievers gave the dog an airplane blanket to keep him warm, and a name: Rubio, which means blond in Spanish.

Of course, Sievers eventually had to leave Buenos Aires for Germany, and Rubio left the hotel. He hadn’t forgotten his friend though, and the every time Sievers returned to Argentina, Rubio was there to meet her at the hotel.

Finally, Sievers decided that it was time to make Rubio’s doggy dreams come true and adopt him herself.

He has been living in Germany with his new family since August 2016, and they all lived happily ever after.

How Dogs Choose Their Favorite Person

If you’re looking to form a closer bond with your dog (or win the “favorite person” award over the rest of your family members because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want that designation?), there are a few things to know about how dogs choose their favorite.

1. Puppyhood Matters

Puppies’ first six months of life are key to socialization and attachment. The humans who care for them during this early period are often their number ones for good.

2. Attention And Affection

An obvious one: Giving dogs quality attention and affection increase their bond to the human providing it.

If you’ve ever interacted with a dog that enjoys retrieving, for example, you know they’ll find you time and time again to throw their beloved ball for them.

3. Dog Breed And Human Personality Play A Part

Certain dog breeds, such as dachshunds and greyhounds, are more likely to latch onto just one primary human caregiver.

And generally speaking, dogs are attracted to people with energy levels that match their own. Like begets like—even when it comes to canines!