Purple Heart Partners Reunited After Four Months

»Rocky reunites with Army handler at Walter Reed; via YouTube

BETHESDA, MD — Army soldiers entrust their lives to each other, whether they walk on two legs or four.

A reunion four months in the making happened in Bethesda Friday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Authorities reunited bomb-sniffing dog Rocky and his handler, Army Spec. Andrew Brown. Both were seriously injured in December when an improvised explosive device detonated while they were on patrol in Afghanistan.

While Brown was treated first at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and is now recovering at Walter Reed, Rocky spent the last four months separated from his buddy while being cared for at the Dog Center Europe, in Germany.

Both man and dog were awarded Purple Hearts in December for their combat injuries.

“When the explosion first happened, I was more worried about him than myself,” Brown told ABC News. "I’ve known him longer than both of my sons have been alive. I think we make a pretty good team --- you know, you've got to have 100 percent trust in your dog."

As soon as Rocky saw Brown Friday, the dog began to whimper and jumped up to lick his handler’s face.

“What’s up buddy. I know, it’s been a while,” the soldier said to the canine, whose tail wagged constantly.

Rocky had discovered the explosive device and he and Brown were walking away when an explosion from what was believed to be a secondary IED injured them both.

Medics provided emergency care to Brown, and they were also able to stabilize Rocky and prepare them for evacuation. Rocky had a severely broken leg and extensive wounds to the back part of his body from the blast, said Army Maj. Scott Chamberlin, Dog Center Europe director. Army and Air Force dog handlers volunteered around the clock to stay with Rocky as he recovered, thousands of miles away from his partner.

The duo is assigned to the 89th Military Police Brigade from Fort Hood, TX. Chamberlin says Rocky should be eventually able to return to his job with Brown.

But if he can’t resume work, Brown says he will adopt Rocky, whom he already considers a part of his family.

»Screenshot from video shared by 89th Military Police Brigade; video by Ronald Harris, Regional Health Command-Atlantic via YouTube; photo of Brown and Rocky at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on Dec. 9, from U.S. Army website