GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Staff Sgt. Jason Bos worried Cila, a Labrador trained to sniff out explosives, wouldn't remember him from their many missions in the Army.

His heart raced as he waited for the dog to come around the corner Wednesday, April 30, at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, where Cila flew from Germany so Bos, of Kentwood, could officially adopt her.

Cila jumped and climbed all over Bos and rolled on her back for a belly rub - making it clear she hadn't forgotten her former handler.

"It was complete joy," Bos said of reuniting with the energetic and well-mannered dog. "I was kind of blown away."

Bos hadn't seen Cila since a back injury forced him to retire from the Army in December 2012. On Wednesday, he took her home to be a "couch dog."

Bos, 33, and 7-year-old Cila deployed together on 100 missions in Iraq in 2008 and 2009. The pair continued to work in the states until Bos' retirement.

"It was definitely tough," he said. "But I was hopeful that maybe one day we'd meet again."

Bos stayed in touch with Cila's new handler on Facebook. The dog retired from military work sooner than he expected, and Bos jumped on the opportunity to take Cila home. Mission K9 Rescue, a nonprofit that helps place retiring working dogs into homes, and the American Humane Association, paid for Cila's flight from Germany.

"I'm just really grateful for all the people that have stepped up and shown their support," Bos said.

Bos and Cila clicked in 2008 when trainers suggested he try working with the dog because she wouldn't listen to anyone else.

"It was a perfect match," he said.

Now that they're both retired from military work, Bos, a student at Davenport University, said he plans to let Cila relax at home.

"She’s had to work for seven years of her life and I figure it's time to take a break," he said.

Angie Jackson covers public safety and breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her at ajackso3@mlive.com, and follow her on Twitter.