Dog identifies owner promptly following groundbreaking surgery involving facial and dual hand transplantation

In a heartwarming tale of loyalty and recognition, Joe DiMeo, a man who underwent the world's first face and double hand transplant in 2020, has shared a touching story of his dog, Buster, recognising him after the surgery.

Before the life-changing event, DiMeo had a pit bull named Buster for six months. Tragically, a car accident left DiMeo with third-degree burns across 80% of his body, leading to the transplant operation that lasted a gruelling 23 hours.

Despite the drastic changes in DiMeo's appearance, Buster, the resilient pit bull, proved that dogs' recognition abilities extend far beyond what is often given credit for. In a series of touching moments captured on TikTok, Buster was seen running towards DiMeo, wagging his tail and showing obvious signs of recognition.

This remarkable display of recognition was not limited to sight. A dog's sense of smell is between 10,000 and 100,000 times stronger than a human's, allowing them to identify their owners by scent. Buster, too, recognised DiMeo by his unique scent after the transplant surgery.

Interestingly, dogs can identify their parents in photographs and easily differentiate their parent's scent from anyone else's. This ability was demonstrated by Buster, who recognised DiMeo despite the significant changes in his appearance.

Dogs may also run towards their parents when they see them with special treats, further highlighting their ability to recognise familiar faces.

In more recent times, DiMeo has welcomed another dog into his life, a dog named Kirkland. However, Kirkland is a more recent arrival and has only known DiMeo with his post-surgery face. Nevertheless, both Buster and Kirkland often appear in DiMeo's social media posts on TikTok and Instagram, serving as a testament to the enduring bond between humans and their canine companions.

This story serves as a reminder of the incredible abilities of dogs and the profound impact they can have on our lives. It is a testament to the unbreakable bond between humans and their dogs, a bond that transcends physical appearances and challenges.

Dog identifies owner promptly following groundbreaking surgery involving facial and dual hand transplantation