When Spc. Michael Steponovich left the Army in January for civilian life, some farewells were harder than others. The hardest: Saying goodbye to “Popeye,” a 7-year-old German shepherd that served as his explosives detection specialist for 18 months while stationed in South Korea.
“It’s always hard saying goodbye to a dog,” Steponovich said. “Especially in my job: You don’t know if it’s going to be the last time you’re going to see him.”
They were reunited last week in Steponovich’s hometown of Las Vegas. And it didn’t take long for Popeye to recognize Steponovich’s deep and distinct voice.
Popeye rushed to the open arms of his handler, throwing his paws on his chest and nuzzling his face.
“You look so good, buddy!” an overjoyed Steponovich told “Popeye” repeatedly, reciprocating his love for his military partner that was recently decommissioned by the Army. Thousands of miles later, they’re reunited for good thanks to American Humane, a nonprofit group dedicated to the well-being of animals, and MGM Resorts International. Steponovich works security for the hospitality company.
The process started in February when Steponovich was told about American Humane, which covered the transportation and adoption costs. The touching moment occurred Friday morning at the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage.
“This was incredible,” Steponovich told the group, “It’s so amazing to see so much support.”
Lesa Staubus, a veterinarian with the nonprofit, said she was thrilled to “play a part in your story.” Staubus said that, at any point, there are about 2,000 working dogs in the U.S. military.
Congress in 2016 paved the way so that when dogs are decommissioned, their handlers get a first shot at adoption, she said.
Who better to take care of them than the service members who love and know them better? she said.
“Every single one of them deserves this type of retirement,” an emotional Staubus said. “We want this for every single dog who’s completed their service.”
Before he left the Army, Steponovich was recruited by MGM Resorts International as an officer with the Luxor’s Emergency Response Team.
John S. Flynn, vice president of administration at MGM, a partner of American Humane, said the timing was perfect for the company, with one of its employees being the adopter, and with Memorial Day looming.
It’s a “great connection here,” he added.
“Overwhelming doesn’t quite even put words into the emotions we’re feeling right now,” Flynn, who’s a colonel with the Air National Guard, said at the event.
Flynn — who’s flown the mammoth C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and who’s served at the White House, Pentagon and on Capitol Hill — takes pride in MGM’s “boots to business” career networking program that offers aid to veterans like Steponovich and their spouses.
Steponovich, born and raised in California before he joined the Army out of high school, was kept updated on Popeye’s long trek from Asia through photos.
He described first meeting Popeye in 2019.
It was an “instantaneous bond,” as he described it.
The military dog, whom he affectionately referred to as a “superstar” with an “incredible nose” — that also specialized in “bite work” and obedience — served with him more than 2,000 hours in explosive detection and patrol missions.
At the reunion, Steponovich told Popeye he no longer needed to work and asked if he was ready for “Fort Couch.”
Now in the Las Vegas Valley, the friendly and playful animal will meet many people eager to snuggle him and will visit the great outdoors, including Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Steponovich said.
“He’s going to be active here for sure,” he said. “I’m excited.”
Robbi Steponovich, a teacher at Bonner Elementary School, wiped away tears when she saw her son’s enthusiasm.
Later, she said she also was thinking about how excited her fifth-grade class was for him.
“I’m so happy for my son to be reunited with his dog,” she said, adding that Popeye was all he talked about. “How am I going to get him here?” he would tell her.
“As a mom, when your son or daughter is in the service, you always have that (threat of imminent danger) in the back of your mind, but knowing he was with a good working dog, it ... eased it a little,” Robbi Steponovich said.
She said she wanted to thank the animal who kept her son company. So she approached Popeye and hugged and kissed him: “It’s so nice to see you. Thank you for taking care of my baby; thank you for taking care of my Michael ... I love you.”