What started as a routine training run turned into a life-changing moment for one Hawaii woman — and a stray dog who had been waiting for someone to notice her.
Amy Kanakuri, 30, was out on a long run in Waianae, Hawaii, training for a half-marathon when she spotted a dog lying in the grass by the side of the road.
“I went on a run longer than I’ve ever done in the area, and while running, I saw a dog. Then it started running toward me,” she said.
At first, she didn’t know what to expect.
“I was nervous,” she admitted, unsure whether the dog would be aggressive or friendly.
But within seconds, it became clear the pup — now named Mahina — just wanted company. The dog happily ran alongside Kanakuri for part of her route before eventually returning to her spot in the grass.
Kanakuri couldn’t shake the encounter.
The next day, she drove back to the same stretch of road. The dog was there again, lying in the exact same place. With stormy weather rolling through the area, Kanakuri worried about her safety.
She approached slowly and began petting her. Mahina didn’t hesitate. She jumped right into Kanakuri’s car.
There was just one small detail — her husband had no idea she was bringing home a dog.
“My husband was still sleeping, so I had to wake him up and ask him to come outside,” she said. “He was so surprised — at first he thought it was a goat. We live in a rural area, so I guess that could have been possible.”
But the surprise quickly turned into smiles.
A video posted to Kanakuri’s TikTok account, @followamyhere, shows the emotional moment her husband meets the stray who would soon become part of their family. The clip has since racked up more than 2.4 million views.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
A visit to the vet revealed Mahina had no microchip. The clinic staff actually recognized her.
“They told us she’s been on their radar since October 2025,” Kanakuri said. “No one could catch her, but they would love to find her a home.”
The vet suspected she may have been part of a litter that was dumped.
Although the couple hadn’t planned on getting a dog just yet, their hearts had clearly already decided.
“We weren’t planning to get a dog,” Kanakuri said. “We’ve wanted one since we bought our house last year, but we said maybe later this year.”
Hawaii law required them to surrender Mahina to the Humane Society temporarily so she could be officially registered as a lost dog, spayed, and vaccinated. The couple tearfully did the right thing, even though it meant saying goodbye for a few days.
Soon after, they were reunited for good.
They named her Mahina, the Hawaiian word for moon or moonlight — a fitting name for a dog who brought unexpected light into their lives.
New videos show Mahina happily settling into her new home, running freely and soaking up love from her forever family.
TikTok users were emotional watching the journey unfold.
One commenter suggested Mahina may have kept returning to that same roadside spot because she was waiting for the people who left her. “Thank you for saving her,” they wrote.
Another added, “You and your husband are good humans. Thanks for not turning a blind eye.”
Kanakuri said they never expected the video to go viral.
“It really shows how much people love animals,” she said. “I think it fulfilled a childhood dream for a lot of people who always wanted to bring a stray home.”
Now, the couple hopes Mahina’s story inspires others to support responsible pet ownership and local animal shelters — and maybe take a second look at the next lonely pup they pass on the road.
Sometimes, the run you almost skip ends up changing everything.