Irk the military dog retires, reunites with handler

Irk the military dog has retired and is now living out his golden years with his longtime handler.

PHOENIX - A very good boy is retiring after serving six years in the military.

The American Humane Society reunited Irk, the 9-year-old military working dog, with his handler, Staff Sgt. Sheridyn Rupp.

Sgt. Rupp and Irk were partners for two years patrolling the base together and building an unbreakable bond.

But then, Sgt. Rupp got out of active duty and Irk, a German Shepherd, was paired with another handler.

"I knew it would be a long time before I saw him again or I could possibly never see him again," Rupp said.

But just a year later, American Humane transported Irk from Ilinois to Surprise, Arizona, giving Sgt. Rupp the opportunity to adopt him.

Now Irk gets to be a normal dog without the pressures of work, with someone who loves him and knows him better than anyone else.

"I think he's pretty content. I think he's loving it. He is allowed on the couch," Rupp said.

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