Nothing beats setting foot on Earth after what seems like a decade in space, but even sweeter is a lappy licky welcome, especially when you have dogs. That’s exactly what NASA astronaut and the talk of the town Sunita Williams experienced when she shared a heartwarming video of her two dogs greeting her in the goofiest way possible.
A Paw-Some Welcome Home
After an unexpected 264-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Sunita Williams returned to her home in Needham, Massachusetts, for a heartwarming reunion with her two Labrador retrievers. Williams shared a video on social media capturing the emotional moment, captioned “Best homecoming ever.” In the footage, she greets her overjoyed dogs, asking in a tender voice, “You know who I am?! You know?” The ecstatic canines wag their tails furiously, with one fetching a stick and playfully parading it around her.
In the video you can see one of the cute labs trying to kiss Williams while another is simply going gaga, trying to fetch a stick and parading around her. That’s what labs do, they simply forget what it is they jumping around for, especially when they are overjoyed to see you again. The video was reposted by both NASA and SpaceX founder Elon Musk on X.com
Social media users gushed over the charming reunion, which was reposted by both NASA and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.
Lost in Space
Williams and fellow astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore had embarked on what was intended to be a brief eight-day mission in June 2024. However, due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, their stay extended over nine months. They finally departed the ISS and returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, landing off the coast of Florida aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule.
Following routine medical evaluations, Williams was cleared to return home, where her long-awaited reunion with her dogs took place. The video of their joyful encounter quickly garnered attention online, resonating with viewers who celebrated the touching moment of companionship restored.
Sunita Williams: A Distinguished Career in Space Exploration
Sunita Lyn “Suni” Williams was born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science and later earned a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995.
Williams began her career as an ensign in the United States Navy, eventually becoming a naval aviator. She flew helicopters and served as an instructor before being selected as a NASA astronaut in 1998.
Williams has completed multiple missions to the ISS. Notably, she served as a flight engineer for Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33 and commanded Expedition 33. She has conducted numerous spacewalks, totalling over 50 hours, and held the record for the most spacewalk time by a woman until 2017.
Marathon in Space
In April 2007, Williams became the first person to run a marathon in space, completing the Boston Marathon on a treadmill aboard the ISS in four hours and 24 minutes.
In June 2024, Williams piloted Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on its inaugural crewed flight to the ISS. Technical issues extended her mission to over nine months, and she returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule.
While aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, and Barry “Butch” Wilmore dedicated over 900 hours to scientific research, completing more than 150 distinct experiments. Their work explored everything from how plants grow in microgravity to cutting-edge stem cell technologies that could benefit patients back on Earth. The trio also performed a spacewalk to collect exterior station samples, contributing to studies on whether microorganisms can survive the harsh conditions of space. Beyond the science, the astronauts connected with young minds across the globe, hosting 30 ham radio sessions with students and supporting a student-led genetic experiment—igniting curiosity and passion in the next generation of space explorers.
An Animal Lover
Williams is known for her love of animals, particularly her two Labrador retrievers, who became internet sensations following their joyful reunion after her extended mission. Williams’ dedication and resilience continue to inspire many in the field of space exploration. Check out Williams post on X.com.
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
