Almost three years after their son’s death in Afghanistan, Texas parents have brought home to America the same military dog that their Marine loved.

Dino, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois who worked as a military bomb-sniffing dog, got his discharge from active duty in an emotional ceremony at the Marines’ San Diego-area Camp Pendleton, the Associated Press reports. Dino now has a forever civilian home with Sandra and Salvador Diaz, whose won, Staff Sgt. Christopher Diaz, died in Sept. 2011 while rushing to help a wounded comrade during a raid in Helmand province. The younger Diaz was Dino’s handler when he was killed.

The Diazes got permission from the Secretary of the Navy to adopt Dino, after he underwent testing to make sure he had the right temperament and didn’t have a canine condition similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Sweet Dino, now safe from the war zone, will enjoy a large backyard and pool in El Paso. The dog will be the Diaz’ baby, Sandra says. Dino cannot replace their lost son, but he can provide comfort because he represents two pieces of Christopher: his love for Dino, and his love for the Marines. The few, and the proud – both two- and four-legged.