NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who was back on Earth after living for more than nine months in outer space, captured a heart-melting reunion video upon return. The footage, shared on Tuesday, had her embracing the love of her life – a pair of dog pets at home.

Williams captioned the video, “Best homecoming ever!” as her two Labrador retrievers enthusiastically leapt around her, swishing their tails merrily as she stroked them. The warm moment attracted instant popularity, including SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s response using a heart emoji.

Longest Stay and Emotional Return of Sunita Williams

Throughout her long-duration stay in orbit, Williams had said how much she was looking forward to joining her furry friends again. She confessed that the most difficult moment of her long-extended mission was waiting for her family and pets to welcome her back home.

Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore returned safely to Earth on March 18 on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The capsule landed in the ocean off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, bringing an end to their mission on the International Space Station (ISS).

Readjusting to Life on Earth

During an interview with the media upon her return, Williams explained that she was gradually readjusting to life on Earth.

“It’s great getting back. I went for a run – although very slow,” she told in a Houston interview. “Just felt good to feel the air, even though it was humid air, like blowing past you, and seeing other people on the track, it’s really nice. It’s home.”

Admiration for India from Space

A proud Indian-American herself, Williams also discussed how stunning India appeared in space. She indicated her wish to travel to her father’s country soon and relate her experiences of space travel to the locals.

“India is incredible from space,” she said, describing her appreciation of the country’s sweeping landscapes and rich culture viewed from orbit.

A Viral and Inspiring Homecoming of Sunita Williams

Williams’ comeback and her tearful reunion with her dogs touched the hearts of netizens, with many admiring her strength and commitment to space exploration. Her mission not only accounted for a milestone in space travel but also reconfirmed the emotional bonds that astronauts have with their families left behind on Earth.

Her next mission? Living life on Earth again—one slow run and one wagging tail at a time.