Get a tissue for his reaction when he finally recognizes it’s his dad. When a member of the armed force is released, their absence is felt by the entire family.
So when Indus’ daddy got home for the vacations, the husky malamute and timber wolf mix nearly lost his mind.
Ekstrom’s companion, Morgan, ensured to video the reunion between Ekstrom and his canine.
She knew it would be an emotional one, and 2-year-old Indus did not disappoint.
“Indus’ ‘dad’ was so happy and surprised by the love he provided him when he realized it was him,” Morgan said. “I was weeping along with the rest of the family.”
The video shows the Husky barking at the man in huge boots and an army uniform. Indus doesn’t appear to identify his dad in all this unusual garb and is intimidated by him.
However after that daddy drops to his knees to get on the same level with his doggo. Indus immediately recognizes his dad when they’re eye-to-eye.
Indus instantly runs over to embrace his pop. And provides him a big hug and lots of kisses. Then he comes to be over excited and has to run around a bit letting everybody recognize his dad is house.
He needs to get all that excited power out so he runs back and forth for a bit.
Then it’s right back over to his dad for some even more kisses and hugs and pets. Indus is so excited to see dad, he can’t quit squirming around and jumping up to hug his dad.
Ekstrom and Indus’ get-together ended up going viral and was picked up by several news organizations. Individuals were just so overwhelmed by all the love and feeling Indus felt for his dad.
“There’s no question that dogs have extremely specific memories,” Marc Bekoff, writer of “Why Dogs Hump and Bees Obtain Depressed,” tells Pacific Standard. “They recognize individuals. There’s a lot wrapped up in that connection of treatment, love, and love.”
Pacific Standard reports that dogs tend to have actually varied reactions to when their “person” comes home from deployment.
Some run around in circles with exuberance and others will climb or tackle their soldier. In this situation, Indus did both.
Canines tend to associate emotions like love, worry, and anger, with feelings provided by humans like what their humans smell, audio, and appear like.
“They basically evaluate this complex of feelings, which is in fact a individual and that will trigger the emotion,” Stanley Coren, teacher emeritus at the University of British Columbia and author of “The Knowledge of Dogs, says.
Dogs usually go through a grieving duration when a caretaker leaves them.
“It’s a loss- an unpredictable loss- because the person can not claim, ‘I will be back in 2 weeks,” Bekoff explains.
“Nobody really knows much about the dog’s memory in terms of when the dog goes into that state of wondering if a individual is returning.”
However in this case, Indus’ daddy did come back for more enjoyable and adventures. If you wish to see more photos and videos of Indus, have a look at his Instagram page.
The reunion between Indus and his dad is a heartwarming reminder of the deep emotional connection between humans and their canine companions. The love, joy, and excitement displayed by Indus highlight just how much dogs miss their loved ones when they are away.
Even after the initial excitement, Indus remained glued to his dad, following him around the house as if afraid he would disappear again. Every time Ekstrom moved, Indus was right at his side, his tail wagging furiously. He would nuzzle into his dad’s hands, seeking constant reassurance that he was truly home. The bond they shared was undeniable, and the affection Indus showered upon his dad spoke volumes about the depth of his love.
Later that evening, as the family gathered for dinner, Indus curled up right next to Ekstrom, resting his head on his lap. It was as if he wanted to soak in every moment, making up for lost time. Even when Ekstrom attempted to get up, Indus would gently place a paw on him as if to say, “Please stay.”
Indus’ emotional reaction is not unique. Across the world, many service members experience the overwhelming joy of reuniting with their pets after long deployments. These moments serve as a testament to the unwavering loyalty and unconditional love dogs have for their owners. Scientific studies have shown that dogs not only recognize their human family members but also experience deep emotional attachments that resemble those seen in human relationships.
Dr. Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist at Emory University, has conducted studies using MRI scans to analyze canine brain activity. His research found that dogs’ brains respond to their owner’s scent more strongly than to anything else, suggesting a deep bond that extends beyond simple recognition. This explains why Indus reacted with such sheer delight—he could finally be close to the person he had been missing for so long.
Beyond the science, stories like Indus’ remind us of the power of love and connection. Dogs don’t understand time the way humans do, but they do understand absence. When someone they love is gone for an extended period, they feel that void deeply. And when that void is filled again, the joy is simply immeasurable.
In the days following the reunion, Indus refused to let his dad out of his sight. Whether it was a quick trip to the kitchen or a walk outside, Indus was right there beside him, ensuring they were never apart again. The playful pup even insisted on sleeping next to Ekstrom’s bed, something he hadn’t done since he was a young puppy. It was as if he needed to be reassured that his dad would still be there when he woke up.
The emotional video of their reunion quickly captured the hearts of thousands online, with many viewers sharing their own stories of military homecomings and pet reunions. Comments flooded in, with people expressing how touched they were by Indus’ reaction. Some shared that they had experienced similar reunions with their own pets, while others simply marveled at the incredible bond between dogs and their owners.
One comment read, “This made me cry! The pure love and happiness in Indus’ reaction is just beautiful.” Another said, “Dogs love so deeply. They never forget the people who love them.” Others noted how important it is for service members to have such loyal companions waiting for them, helping them transition back to civilian life after long deployments.
Ekstrom and Indus’ story is a beautiful reminder of the irreplaceable role dogs play in our lives. Whether they are providing companionship, emotional support, or simply reminding us of the power of unconditional love, their presence is truly invaluable.
For now, Indus is just happy to have his dad home. And judging by the way he refuses to leave his side, it’s clear he’s making sure every second counts.
