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Flagler Beach veteran John Russo reunited with Bones, the dog he was separated from for two years after he deployed to Afghanistan.

PALM COAST One of the best Christmas presents Army veteran John Russo ever received was a little puppy he named Bones. But the even greater gift was being reunited with his dog after being separated from her for about two years.

I never ever thought Id see her again, Russo said Wednesday, noting that hes been overwhelmed by media attention over the reunion, including an appearance on ABCs Good Morning America.

Russo, 27, was separated from his dog when he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 for a year, plus an additional year after his return. He left the dog in the care of a former friend and didnt know what happened to Bones afterward.

Russo said he decided he was ready to get a new dog and began checking the Flagler Humane Society website when he spotted a picture of Bones. The 6-year-old American bulldog was indeed the same dog he had been forced to leave behind.

He came in like everybody does, and said, Im here to see a dog, Melissa Rock, who handled the adoption, said Thursday.

Rock was puzzled when Russo said he specifically wanted to see Bones, who had recently been adopted and returned after one day.

Bones was originally surrendered to the shelter in Palm Coast on Sept. 11.

She was crazy, Rock recalled. She was jumping all the way up, all four feet off the ground, kissing him. Ive never seen her do that.

Russo doesnt know where Bones has been since he was deployed.

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Afghanistan veteran reunited with long-lost dog