Grab the tissues. Watch video
WENONAH- In a spirited homecoming, second-class petty officer Christina Baez was reunited with her pitbull, Laila, Saturday after serving a year overseas.
Laila ran enthusiastically to Baez as she entered the yard of the family who had been caring for the dog over the past year.
Although the two had been apart for a year, it was not the first time Baez had seen her dog. Earlier this year, the foster family had posted a video which went viral of 8-year-old Anna Masusock singing "You are my sunshine" as she laid in bed next to Laila.
The Masusock family fostered Laila for Baez, who serves in the Navy, through PACT for Animals, an organization which allows families to foster pets for people who are deployed overseas or unexpectedly hospitalized.
"With PACT, you become a family," Donna Masusock said. "Laila's like a family member, I'm even friends with Christina's family on Facebook."
This is the Masusock family's second round of fostering dogs with PACT. The first time they fostered three dogs at once, but Masusock added that Laila "was the most laid back dog we've ever had."
"You're fostering so they don't have to go to a shelter," she added. "If it wasn't for PACT, Christina would've lost Laila."
In the moments leading up to Baez's arrival on Saturday, Masusock's children, 8-year-old twins Liam and Anna, said their goodbyes to Laila as they threw a pink frisbee around the yard.
Masusock said that PACT allows visitation rights for the foster family after the pet is returned to its owner, so they will stay in contact with Baez.
"You're sad because you do have that attachment, but they're happy tears because Laila will finally get her mom," she said.
Moments before the reunion, Masusock fought back tears of her own.
"My time with Laila has been awesome," she said while wiping her eyes. "She's been a great impact in her house. I'll really miss her."
She added that Laila was a big cuddler and that everyone in the neighborhood knew her.
Baez, who is from Hoboken but stationed in Virginia Beach, pulled up to the house with multiple family members to partake in the reunion.
She described being both excited and nervous.
"When you're away from an animal, and even a child, you're nervous coming home and afraid that they won't remember you," she said.
Before she saw her dog, Baez said her biggest fear was that Laila wouldn't remember her, but all it took was that first sniff, and then Laila remembered.
Baez said the video of Anna singing to Laila warmed her heart while she was stationed overseas.
"It was so sweet," she said. "She [Laila] has gotten so much love and attention from the family. It brought me to tears, it brought everyone on my ship to tears."
Beaz said she's grateful for the support from the Masusocks.
"Laila has learned so much and grown so much with them," she said. "I wouldn't have it any other way, I wouldn't want it with any other family."
CJ Fairfield may be reached at cfairfield@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @fairfielc4. Find NJ.com on Facebook.