There was more than just puppy love in the This Morning studios earlier today after viewers were bowled over by the sight of a hunky ex solider.
Bomb disposal expert Sean Laidlaw rescued dog Barrie from a collapsed school last February while stationed in Syria.
The young dog was pulled from the rubble after Sean heard whimpering in the destroyed building in Raqqa – but sadly, several other puppies found with Barrie did not survive the devastation.
Initially thought to be a male pup, Barrie became inseperable from Sean for the final three months the 30-year-old from Essex spent in the war zone.
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And now, following a 3,000 mile trip that involved Barrie being quarantined for three months, the pair have been reunited.
But despite Sean’s compassion for the beautiful Asian Shepherd cross, he still believes Barrie saved his life – not the other way round.
He told hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford that Barrie helped ‘keep him sane’ and credited her in helping him stave off PTSD.
“She’d come out on tasks with us. She was good as gold,” Sean explained.
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“The lads in Syria loved training her. She was everyone’s plaything. If anyone had a bad day, she was on their lap.”
Despite Barrie being cute enough to steal anyone’s heart, many viewers were a little more taken by Sean.
“What a gorgeous man. His dog is bloody beautiful too,” observed one on Twitter.
“Barrie is gorgeous, Sean is even more gorgeous,” added @lennyritchie, accompanying her tweet with heart eyes and kiss emojis.
Ooh hello Sean
,He’s lovely 😍👀 and of course Barrie the lovely pup #Thismorning— Jo maxted (@jo_Emma) November 9, 2018
Another viewer confessed: “I think I just fell in love with #seanlaidlaw and his beautiful dog.”
And another admirer suggested Sean – and Barrie should become regulars – on the show.
“I think that Sean Laidlaw and his dog should have a weekly slot,” said @therealloobylou.
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