While stationed at an army base in Iraq in 2016, former Army Specialist Ken Wyrsch made an unusual friend. He observed a street dog nearby one day while at work.

It was discovered to be a stray dog, and a very bold one. Nothing could be done after the dog entered the army station.

The puppy dog immediately won Ken’s heart, and it didn’t take long for him to win the hearts of all the other soldiers as well.

Ken named the dog Ollie and raised him as if he were his own.

The moment Ken went into the base, he felt drawn to Ollie. He simply knew in that moment that he couldn’t afford to abandon this puppy on the streets.

Ken took Ollie under his wing. Ken began to control over Ollie soon after taking good care of him and feeding him with lots of food. Ollie, who had thankfully received his new best pal, was clearly overjoyed.

Ollie eagerly anticipated Ken whenever he went on a mission, wagging his tail happily when he saw him return.

Ken noted, “He was like a morale booster.”

“He was there when we left our missions, and he was there when we returned,” Ken says.

Ken and Ollie bonded, and as Ollie grew older, they became even closer. Ken made an effort to spend as much time as he could with his best friend.

However, Ken’s departure date came and went. Because the entire base was being shut down, Ollie would lose his friends and find himself back on the streets. Ken was heartbroken.

Ollie lived in a nation where attitudes toward street animals were not favorable, and since he was such a kind and loving dog, he worried that he wouldn’t be able to survive the trying life of a street dog.

Ken could not let that happen.

“You never abandon a friend,” Ken explained. “It’s not going to happen.”

When he arrived home, he immediately recruited the assistance of the SPCA International to see if they could raise the necessary funds to have Ollie restored to his California home.

It also worked! Ollie arrived in the United States in May 2016, owing to generous donations.

Watch the video below to see when Ollie and Ken are reunited. Grab a tissue because this is one of the most touching reunion films you’ll see today…

Share this great story if you agree that this soldier has a gold heart and wish Ollie the best of luck in his new life in America!