The effects of war are no secret. Many veterans are living with physical and emotional anguish due to the time they spend defending freedom. For many veterans, dogs seem to be one of the best remedies to ease the transition into civilian life.
“Just going from a war zone to a civilian life and back, you feel completely isolated. You feel completely alone. You feel cut off from everything. My dogs are the only ones there with me,” Joshua said Animal planet.
Isolation, Nightmare and Two Little Dogs
This is true of a veteran named Joshua. He served in the Air Force in Afghanistan and he found it extremely difficult to transition to life after the war. Joshua has been quarantined to try to control his symptoms. Nightmares and flashbacks tormented him day after day.
The Air Force veteran only finds solace in his dogs, Momma and Panda. Their companionship gave him the strength to face each day no matter how difficult things were. Despite feeling cut off from the civilian world around him, Joshua has Momma and Panda as his entire world and that’s all that matters.
Joshua decides to say goodbye to his two best friends
In the end, he decided to move from Louisiana to California, but there was one hitch: This would require a temporary separation from Panda and Momma. Although Joshua accepts this sacrifice, it is still heartbreaking to have to say goodbye to his children even for just a moment.
The nights were cold and lonely when he lay in bed alone. He longed for the comfort of being snuggled up by Momma and Panda under the blankets. Joshua even missed taking his cubs for a walk and enjoying the fresh air with them.
Tia and Mariah Torres from Pitbulls and Parolees catch the wind of the situation. They know they have to step in and help. Mariah didn’t think twice about doing what she could to reunite Joshua and his beloved poodles.
Panda and Momma became depressed and stopped eating
Panda and Momma showed their grief by barely eating while away from their dad. Both pups lost a significant amount of weight. But, all that has changed.
After two long months, it’s time for the trio to reunite in California. Momma and Panda’s sadness disappeared as soon as they were reunited with their dad! Joshua said he was a bit worried that they wouldn’t remember him, but that’s clearly not the case.
Their stories began to swirl and they rocked their ass with pure joy. They showered their dad with more love than he could have dreamed of!
The family of three is currently enjoying their home together in California, where they can cuddle every night and stroll in the sunshine.
h/t: Pitbulls and Parolees
Featured photos: @ AnimalPlanet / YouTube
