After a two year separation, the moment war dog Django spotted his best friend and handler Sheldon Holland through the gates of Johannesburg's quarantine kennels, his ears pricked up.
With fur bristling, Django bolted towards Holland the second he was released.
Tail wagging and tongue flailing, Django flew into the open arms of an emotional Holland and showered him with slobbery kisses and playful nips.
The Pietermaritzburg local and former American K9 explosives handler had been paired with the German Shepard in Kandahar, Afghanistan four years ago. The pair had immediately formed an unbreakable bond.
Working side-by-side for 18 months, the two became inseparable and when Holland finished his contract with the AMK9 unit, he promised his furry friend that he would one day live with him in South Africa.
Hat tip to the quiet professionals at AMK9 whom I first encountered at Fort Benning and later in theater. A story seldom told. Many long hours, many young lives saved.
After two years of separation and a lengthy, complicated process, Holland was told last week that the best friend, he thought he would never see again, was finally on his way to South Africa.
Although the kennels had told Holland that Django would only be released at 10:00 yesterday, Holland and his younger brother, Hadley Holland arrived at quarantine at 08:00.
As Holland paced anxiously around the reception area, he told Weekend Witness that his "nerves were shot" and his greatest fear was that after two years of being apart, Django would not remember him.
However, the minute Django layed eyes on Holland, he strained to free himself from the kennel handler's grip.
The second he was released from his leash, Django sprinted towards Holland.