A former military dog was joyfully reunited with his ex-US Army handler on Monday, after being separated for almost three years.
An eight-year-old named Yyacob excitedly leaped onto Staff Sergeant Payton May, proudly displaying his belly as they embarked on a new journey 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.”
After years of longing and heartfelt requests, May finally gets to reunite with his best friend.
He and Yyacob, a stunning Belgian Malinois, completed a 9-month tour in Iraq as part of the explosion detection team. They worked together to inspect vehicles, verify the belongings of those entering the base for any ammunition, and ensured the safety of their fellow personnel.
Their bond rapidly evolved from professional to personal — they spent every moment together and shared a twin-sized bed each night, with Yyacob occupying most of the space.
In 2022, they had to separate when May was moved to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas, while Yyacob was assigned 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 faced significant challenges alongside his handler, as he found it difficult to trust and connect with May’s successors. This situation hindered the military’s ability to certify him with a new handler, as reported by the American Humane.
Over the past two and a half years, May acknowledged that he had been persistently seeking information from the military regarding Yyacob and updates on the dog’s retirement status.
US Army dogs usually retire after ten years of service, but Yyacob was able to step down this fall after seven years on the job, which included a period of protecting then-President Donald Trump.