CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A Fort Campbell soldier was recently able to reunite with a puppy he rescued while deployed overseas.

The emotional reunion occurred at the Nashville Airport on February 21, 2019.

Justin Searor was deployed overseas when he befriended a month-old puppy. He sent a photo to his wife, Stephanie, who instantly fell in love with the dog.

“There seems to be lots of dogs over there that just seem to befriend people,” Stephanie said. “I pretty much said, well I guess we are getting another dog because he was so cute.”

Justin then reached out to Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) International to work on getting his new friend, Meatloaf, home. The organization provides a service called Operation Military Pets to keep service members connected with their furry friends.

During the transition process, Stephanie said the SPCA was able to provide vaccinations and health exams for Meatloaf to prepare him for his journey.

Meatloaf started making his way home to his new family in November and the Searors were able to pick him up from the Nashville Airport this week.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Searor

“He seemed to remember Justin at the airport and sniffed around and met everybody and obviously I had not met him. He is really sweet and very gentle and very curious,” Stephanie said.

Meatloaf is getting accustomed to his new home and family.

“Our terrier has been missing his older brother that we had to let go of a couple of years ago, so we are hoping that he and Meatloaf will become best friends and we think it will probably happen,” Stephanie said.

She said she would absolutely recommend to others that find a best friend overseas to use SPCA International to bring them home.

“I think that if people have dogs overseas that they want to bring home it’s a fantastic organization. You get to meet this dog that becomes your husband’s best friend while he is gone,” Stephanie said.

For more information about the SPCA and more stories like Meatloaf’s visit the SPCA International website.

Watch more of Meatloaf’s story below: