The bond between humans and dogs is like nothing else in the world. Throughout human history, we've domesticated a lot of animals; some provide us with meat, milk, eggs, leather, and fur, while others transport us or keep vermin under control. But with dogs, the domestication process was one of mutual advantage, and anyone who has ever been around Man's Best Friend will tell you that dogs are as attached to us as we are to them. Through the years, whenever I've heard someone say "You can't buy love," I always reply "You've obviously never had a puppy."

This brings us to the heartwarming Christmas story of US Air Force Staff Sergeant Mike Alcala and his former working dog John, who are permanently reunited this Christmas after John's retirement.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Mike Alcala and his former military working dog, John, had been separated for over two years. As the 10-year-old German shepherd prepares for retirement, American Humane surprised the dog and his handler with a pre-holiday reunion in San Antonio, Texas.

During the three years that Alcala was John’s handler, the two formed a strong bond. They were separated in September 2021 when Alcala was reassigned to another base. 

"We worked together every day for the three years I was there, give or take a few days," Alcala told Fox News Digital. 

"The bond started strong and ended stronger."

The bond between pet dogs and their owners should never be underestimated, of course, but the bond between a working dog and a handler is of a different order. My own service years never involved a dog, but I did have a gun dog for almost eighteen years. Here in Alaska, we know quite a few mushers, and they have a similar bond with their dogs. A neighbor of ours up the next side road keeps about twenty sled dogs, and the investment in time and resources is considerable; we know when they get fed, morning and evening because we can hear their excited barking. Mushers love their dogs and will spend some time describing, in loving detail, each dog's personality, strengths, and weaknesses.

Working dogs are like that. I had such a bond with my old Springer Spaniel; we shared so many outdoor adventures together, and throughout her long, devoted life, I couldn't have imagined being separated from her.

Military working dogs take this to another level. A military dog and his handler face danger together; the dog is trained, if necessary, to take a bullet for his handler. They are courageous and as devoted to their work as their handlers, and dogs like John deserve a comfortable retirement. John was a level even beyond this, working as an explosives-detection dog.

John served as an explosive-detection dog at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii for eight years, according to American Humane.

During his distinguished military career, John protected civilians, his fellow service members and high-profile VIPs, including American presidents, first ladies and foreign dignitaries.

It's great, in this Christmas season, with so many cynical pols angling to spin the holiday for political advantage, with radicals trying to disrupt our observations, to see a happy ending. To John and to Mike Alcala and his family, I can only say Merry Christmas! It's delightful to read of this reunion, and may John enjoy many more happy, peaceful years of retirement with his family.