Some military people say the friendships you build serving our country will be the best you'll ever have.
Tuesday, Air Force Staff Sergeant Amanda Cubbage was waiting for an old buddy from the service.
His name is Rick. He’s a German Shepherd.
Amanda was emotional as she hugged her friend for the first time in almost a year.
"Hi, how you doing? Hi baby boy! How you doing buddy? How you doing buddy?"
Rick was her partner and friend for about a year as they protected Osan Air Force Base in South Korea. She trusted Rick with her life as they worked to find explosives.
Now it's time for Rick to retire and relax as Amanda's pet.
"Just like my husband who's retired they're both gonna sit there, work on Chair Force One and watch TV all day."
The American Humane Society, Hormel and the Hallmark Channel teamed up to cover the cost and handle the paperwork to help Rick retire and come home from Korea.
Amanda Cubbage says, "You just count down the days, count down the time until you're re-united with him. You always want to be there. You never want to leave these guys. You never want to sit there and move on and the fact that the military allows us to adopt our working dogs now is phenomenal."
There's a special treat waiting for Rick when he gets home.
"He has a marrow bone waiting for him that's stuffed with peanut butter, honey, raspberries, and blueberries."
And now that Rick's switching from a life of work, to a life of leisure like a lot of retirees he'll have more time for his toys.
