Stray Dog Spots Woman Out on a Run -- Then Decides She's Her New Family
Sometimes our pets choose us as their parents, and it can happen in the most unlikely places. "While out on a run, Amy Kanakuri (@followamyhere) bumped into a furry friend," The Washington Post captioned a TikTok video describing how they met.
Amy's unexpected encounter with this stray dog turned into a heartwarming rescue story with her legally adopting this sweet pup and naming her Mahina.
@washingtonpost While out on a run, Amy Kanakuri (@followamyhere) bumped into a fury friend. She made sure the dog wasn't lost or chipped, and legally adopted Mahina. Read more from The Washington Post at the link in our bio. #dog#animals#hopecore#goodnews#hawaii
original sound - The Washington Post - The Washington Post
This dog found a forever home that day! As shown in the video, Amy was running when this dog decided to tag alongside her. At first, she didn't know whether Mahina was a "friendly" or "scary" pup.
After her run, Amy left the area. She just couldn't get this dog out of her mind, so she chose to go back. When she did, Mahina let her pick her up, and she decided to help this stray out.
The Post's video has generated over 5M views, and commenters are moved by this rescue story. "She chose you immediately ," @novanook wrote, and @slavicsami added, "She's like, ‘I also like runs. Let's run together forever.'"
"Rescue dogs are the best dogs. That dog will be the most loyal companion for the rest of her life," said @victoria__sara.
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What to Do If You Find a Stray Dog
If you find a stray dog, you have to be careful, much like how Amy was throughout her journey with Mahina. The American Kennel Club (AKC) notes it's important to pay attention to a dog's body language to gauge their attitude. If a dog feels scared or threatened, it can be dangerous to get too close to them. That wasn't the case with Mahina.
Then, to make sure a dog isn't missing or lost, AKC advises calling or visiting a local veterinary clinic. Amy took Mahina to the Hawaiian Humane Society to see if she had a microchip. If she did, they would have contacted her family, but Mahina wasn't being tracked.
Next, get a stray pup the proper care, especially if you want to take them in. Mahina was spayed and vaccinated, and she was eventually released to go to her forever home with Amy. Now, Mahina will need a lot of attention, affection, and care as she gets comfortable in a new environment. But by the way these two have already bonded, Mahina probably feels right at home!
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 4:20 PM.