Nearly a year later, Bitsy was finally able to join her grandpa for an emotional reunion:

After so long apart, Steve worried that Bitsy wouldn't remember him. Yet nothing could've been farther from the truth. "As soon as I got within scent range, she absolutely lost her mind with joy," Steve Kristal posted on Facebook. "So did I."

"Once again Bitsy demonstrated that the talents she has are far more outstanding than the ones she's missing," he continued. "What a wonderfully great and loving soul. Maybe you can tell from this video how much we adore one other."

Kristal knew all along that her devoted dog would never forget a human who loved so profoundly for her. And the world appears a little brighter for everyone now that the family is united again.