Heartwarming footage from the Newsflare archive of an elderly dog greeting a soldier returning home for the first time in three-and-a-half months.

This Newsflare classic, filmed in North Olmsted, Ohio in December 2016, shows 13-year-old Buddy the golden retriever reacting in an incredibly excited way when her owner returned home from US army training for a Christmas break. Buddy has arthritis and is losing her hearing but that doesn't stop her from showing affection for her soldier owner, Hannah.

She later wrote online: "I enlisted in the US Army and left for basic combat training in September.

"I was blessed with the permission to go home for two weeks for Christmas."

"This is where I got to see my dog for the first time in 3.5 months," she continued.

"Buddy is a 13-year-old golden retriever who has arthritis and is losing her hearing, though despite her elderly age was absolutely thrilled to see me and couldn't even stay on her feet.

"I missed her dearly and hope I can see her again soon."

I enlisted in the U.S. Army and left for basic combat training in September. I graduated & moved onto my next duty station in Fort Sam Houston, TX for further training. I was blessed with the permission to go home for two weeks for Christmas. This is where I got to see my dog for the first time in 3.5 months. Buddy is a 13year old Golden Retriever who has arthritis and is losing her hearing. Though despite her elderly age was absolutely thrilled to see me and couldn't even stay on her feet. I missed her dearly and hope I can see her again soon.