Former Michigan cop Hayden Wildfong and K9 Tamarack reunited after weeks of separation

A former police officer and his beloved K9 partner were reunited Wednesday after a heated custody battle against a city in Michigan.

Ex-cop Hayden Wildfong was given the go-ahead this week to formally adopt K9 Tamarack, whom he had been separated for weeks after he handed in his resignation from the City of Mason police force last month.

“This is one of the best feelings in the world, one of the best days of my life. I’ve put in countless hours of work with this dog, and we can finally close this chapter and move on,” Wildfong told WILX.

Wildfong had been pushing to take his best friend home for the last two weeks — but the city shot down the two motions he made to remove the pup from her post.

The City of Mason claimed the former handler wasn’t entitled to keep the dog after he was placed on leave and subsequently left his job after the city said he irresponsibly took off his gun belt and left it unattended while visiting Mason High School.

Wildfong later said he resigned against his wishes, and only did so because he was under the impression he would be able to take Tamarack with him.

The repeated rejection stirred outcry across the city, prompting dozens of unhappy community members to press for the pair’s reunion at city council meetings.

While officials initially said Tamarack was regarded as city property, they wound up surrendering the dog to Ingham County Animal Shelter.

Fortunately, Wildfong jumped on the opportunity and formally applied to adopt his best buddy.

“We have already received an approved application from her former handler and tomorrow they will be reunited,” the shelter said Tuesday on Facebook.

Heartwarming video of the reunion showed Tamarack eagerly bounding toward Wildfong after catching sight of him for the first time in weeks.

The pup jumped at her handler in a mutual embrace and the pair exchanged kisses, with Tamarack’s tail wagging so forcefully that the shelter worker who escorted the dog out accidentally dropped the leash.

Wildfong told WILX that he feels a huge weight has been lifted from his shoulders.

“We’re gonna go home, and we’re gonna play Frisbee until the sun comes up in the morning, probably,” he said.