Get ready for an emotional moment as this loyal wolfdog finally recognizes his dad. When a member of the armed forces is deployed, their absence is felt deeply by the entire family—including the family dog.
So when Indus’ dad returned home for the holidays, the husky-malamute and timber wolf mix could hardly contain his excitement.
Devin Ekstrom, from Northwood, New Hampshire, had left for U.S. Army Basic Training and returned home 10 months later. Knowing how special the reunion would be, his partner, Morgan, made sure to capture the moment on video. And 2-year-old Indus did not disappoint.
An Emotional Reunion
“Indus’ dad was so happy and surprised by the love he received once Indus realized who he was,” Morgan shared. “I was crying along with the rest of the family.”
The video shows Indus barking at the man in the big boots and army uniform. At first, he doesn’t recognize his dad in the unfamiliar gear and appears wary.
But then, Devin kneels down to get on Indus’ level. That’s when everything changes.
The moment their eyes meet, Indus immediately recognizes his dad. In an instant, he rushes over, showering him with hugs and kisses. Overcome with joy, Indus runs in circles, unable to contain his excitement, letting everyone know that his dad is finally home.
Needing to release his boundless energy, he dashes back and forth before returning for more kisses, hugs, and pets. The happiness in the room is undeniable as Indus continues to squirm and jump, unable to contain his love for his returning owner.
A Viral Sensation
Their heartfelt reunion quickly went viral, gaining attention from multiple news outlets. People everywhere were deeply moved by the overwhelming love Indus showed for his dad.
Marc Bekoff, author of Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed, explained to Pacific Standard:
“There’s no doubt that dogs have incredibly specific memories. They recognize people. There’s so much wrapped up in that bond of care, love, and affection.”
According to Pacific Standard, dogs react in different ways when their owners return from deployment. Some excitedly run in circles, while others jump up to tackle their human with affection. In Indus’ case, he did both!
Dogs associate emotions like love, fear, and joy with familiar human scents, sounds, and appearances.
Stanley Coren, professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and author of The Intelligence of Dogs, explains:
“They essentially assess this complex combination of emotions, recognizing their person, which then triggers their own emotional response.”
The Power of a Dog’s Love
When a beloved caregiver leaves, dogs often go through a period of grief.
“It’s a loss—an uncertain loss—because the person can’t say, ‘I’ll be back in two weeks,’” Bekoff explains. “Nobody really knows how dogs process time when it comes to wondering if someone will return.”
Thankfully, in Indus’ case, his dad did come back, ready for more adventures and quality time together.
For more heartwarming photos and videos of Indus, check out his Instagram page!
