There’s nothing more adorable than seeing a litter of tiny puppies cuddled up next to each other. Clumsy, enthusiastic about everything in life, and simply delightful in their playful expressions of love for one another, they embody cuteness.
But, what happens when they grow up and part ways? Do they remember their beloved and lost siblings? And, most importantly, do they miss them?
Paul and Matthew Castle, from Washington, were wondering these very things after they adopted Maple, a guide dog Golden Retriever.
Maple, born with seven other littermates, never saw his siblings again, and his parents decided to change that!
The Sweetest Reunion Ever
Every single one of Maple’s siblings, including Maple, was sent to a different service dog school, parting ways for good. Eventually, all of the dogs found their forever homes (and jobs), but they never got the chance to see each other again.
Maple, a guide dog to his dad, Paul, settled in his new home. However, his owners couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the rest of his family. So, they began to investigate.
Soon enough, Paul and Matthew located everyone. After getting in touch with their owners, they wanted to give Maple a chance to reunite with his brothers, and first on the list was – Major!
“Maple and Mikey were raised to become service dogs and they haven’t seen each other since they were eight weeks old,” Paul said on Instagram.
Being the closest one, Major, a service dog in a Washington high school, and Maple had their very first playdate after so many years, and it was adorable! The dogs hit it off right off the bat, which inspired Paul and Matthew to proceed with the idea of reuniting Maple with the rest of his family.
Soon, the owners got in touch with Mikey’s owners in Hawaii, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Mikey, a service dog working at a hospital, was trained to avoid contact with other dogs just like his brother, but when he saw Maple on the other side of the yard, he ‘forgot’ his anti-dog rule and so did Maple!
“Mr. Maple has been trained to avoid contact with other dogs and Mikey, a therapy dog at a hospital in Hawaii, has received similar training. Now, five years old, both brothers preferred people over other dogs,” Paul added.
As soon as their work harnesses were off, Maple and Mikey ran toward each other as if they had never parted ways.
Their sweet reunion warmed everyone’s hearts. The two dogs that went different ways years ago clearly remembered each other, and now they were back together.
“Mikey’s owner told me that he’s never seen him act this way with another dog. To say that our hearts were melting is an understatement,” Paul concluded.
The two spent some time playing with each other, posing for photos, and just casually being in the spotlight. After their reunion, Maple and his owners went on a hospital tour together with Mikey Rick Burino, his handler.
More Reunions Coming Soon
After witnessing such a heartwarming reunion in Hawaii, Paul and Matthew definitely want to continue with the idea of reuniting Maple with his brothers.
They already have a booked flight for the next meeting and can’t wait to see Maple’s reaction again. Ultimately, the couple’s big plan is to organize and coordinate a full family reunion and bring all the pups in one place.
Sure, it will require considerable dedication and effort, but the rewards will be well worth it!
Good luck, Maple, Paul, and Matthew. We can’t wait to see your next adventure!