In 2010, Marine Cpl. Justin McLoud was crossing a bridge in Afghanistan when a fellow soldier stepped on a hidden IED. McLoud survived the blast, but he needed to have both of his legs and his left arm amputated. When he returned home to his wife and young son, McLoud battled a whole new set of challenges as an amputee. And though it was difficult to imagine just holding a puppy in his arms, the hero spent years dreaming of dealing with these new challenges with a loyal service dog by his side.
That's when a couple of complete strangers entered McLoud's life, only he had no idea the plan in store. Activists Sue McNamara and Nick Hall heard about the sacrifice McLoud made for our country, so they decided to make his ultimate dream come true.
As McLoud left a local restaurant, he had no idea a camera crew was waiting for him outside, or that Sue and Nick had a special surprise — a seven-week-old black labrador puppy who was ready to begin working with McLoud as his service dog. The moment Sue placed his adorable new companion in his arms, I couldn't help but tear up. McLoud is speechless, but grinning from ear-to-ear. If anyone has ever deserved to own a dog, it's this heroic man.
Watch the heartwarming surprise below, and please SHARE this awesome ending with your friends on Facebook!
