There's nothing more heartwarming than seeing the brave men and women of our military reunite with their families when they return to the U.S. -- and seeing their reunions with their pets is just as emotional and sweet. (Pets are family too!)

U.S. staff sergeant Nick B. just reunited with his beloved dog, Bodhi, but their story is a little bit different, because this time -- Bodhi is the one who came home to the United States. You see, Nick actually found Bodhi in Afghanistan when he was just a puppy, and at that point he was hungry, dirty, and his ears and part of his tail had been cut off (horrible!) -- as he was being used for dog fighting.

Nick rescued Bodhi after trading him for packs of cigarettes (seriously?) and they were inseparable from that point on. Well, that is until it was time for Nick to return home.

If a puppy literally falling out of the sky and landing in your backyard isn't a sign that he's meant to be a part of your family, then I don't know what is! A 7-year-old boy in California got the shock of his life when he found a tiny 8-week-old puppy badly hurt in his yard after seemingly falling straight from the heavens.

The boy immediately alerted his mother when he found the poor pup, and she determined that the dog had been captured by a hawk that lives on their property, and somehow managed to wriggle himself free from it's talons. He fell about 30 feet to the ground, and it's a miracle that he survived! The family took him to the vet, and have now adopted him.

A blind golden retriever named Tanner who was suffering from seizures as a result of epilepsy was having a pretty tough time leading a normal life -- that is until he was offered an unexpected helping hand at an animal hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

A homeless black lab named Blair was brought to the hospital after being shot -- and when he recovered, he reached out to Tanner and started leading him around the play yard where they were exercising. The vets at the hospital insist that Blair instinctively knew that Tanner was blind and felt the urge to help him to "see" again. Poor Tanner was so troubled and his seizures were so bad that vets had even suggested he be put down -- but when he met Blair, everything in his world took a turn for the better. (So sweet!)

Having a bird for a pet can be lots of fun, but forgetting to shut the door to its cage can result in losing your little friend forever. One owner of an adorable blue "Budgy" knows this all too well, after he flew out of his cage and went out the window. But his owner had hopes that he wasn't officially gone for good because of a certain skill she'd taught him.

The lost bird wound up landing at a nearby hotel, and much to the surprise of police officers, they were able to bring him back home fairly quickly -- because he "spoke up" and told them his own address! (Ahh, yes -- I forgot to mention that this Budgy was a talking bird.)

There's nothing more heartwarming than watching one of our brave military men surprising their loved ones with emotional homecomings -- and the magic moments aren't strictly limited to human beings! Pets miss their owners when they're gone just as much as family members do, and possibly even more.

It must be pretty confusing for dogs to have their beloved owners leave for tours of duty. I wonder how many poor pooches have woken up wondering why the person they love most in the world has suddenly disappeared. And I guess that's why so many pets are unable to hold back their pure joy and emotion upon their owners' return.

There are really cute animal videos -- and then there are really cute animal videos. And when I saw one this morning of a tiny puppy all snug and sound asleep in his owner's lap, I just had to open it up and take a look. Who can resist a fluff ball of fur enjoying a cozy nap?

Sleeping puppies are adorable enough by themselves -- but when they are caught on film having a dream and "talking" in their sleep? Well, that's a whole new level of cuteness.

There's nothing more adorable than baby animals -- especially wild ones who are domesticated and love & trust human beings. What's cuter than seeing a baby from a typically ferocious breed cuddle up to a human like a parent?

I've never been able to resist wild animal babies who don't exactly know just how powerful they will grow up to be. (If only they could stay that loving and sweet forever!)

A man named Doug Hamilton has gotten plenty of extra hugs and kisses -- from a group of lion cubs who just can't resist showing how much they adore him.

There is nothing more gut-wrenching than seeing a dog who has been hit by a car lying on the side of the road -- and seeing one lying in the middle of the road after just being struck is even more heartbreaking.

And that's exactly what some motorists near Los Angeles were subjected to last week after one poor pup was hit and killed after wandering into traffic. Of course, they also probably had to do a double take to realize they were also seeing a second dog in the street -- and she was refusing to leave her dead companion's side. The loyal black lab remained in the road with cars zipping by and risked her own life so that her friend wouldn't have to die alone. (The poor thing!)