Stray Dog Follows Woman on Her Run and Finds the Family She Was Looking For
Amy Kanakuri was out on a long training run for a half marathon when she noticed something off to the side of the road. At first, she thought it was just trash. But then she realized…it was a dog.
The stray watched Amy run past and started to follow her. She didn’t go far with Amy, but she left a lasting impression. Amy couldn’t stop thinking about the lonely pup, so she returned the next day — and sure enough, the same white dog was still there.
@followamyhere Not on our 2026 bingo card We're in the process of legally adopting her. Literally balling my eyes out making this. Getting this house was not something we planned but it couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Somehow we found each other. As much as my husband and I thought we weren't ready for a dog, we can't say no to her. #hawaii #hawaiilife #vlog #dog #adoptdontshop ♬ Censor_Bleep-1kHz01-2(Short)(1530476) – OtoLogic
The dog let Amy pet her and trusted her enough for her to pick her up and put her in the car. Amy brought the dog back to her home in Waianae, Hawaii and put her in the yard. As soon as her husband, Ross, saw the dog he knew his wife wanted to keep her. Still, the couple wanted to do the right thing.
They had the dog scanned for a microchip, and when none was found, Amy broke into tears. She hadn’t expected to find a dog let alone want to adopt one. But now one had suddenly appeared in her life within a day! But Amy and Ross couldn’t adopt the dog just yet.
She needed to be brought to the Hawaiian Humane Society to see if someone would claim her and for her health and temperament to be reviewed before being placed up for adoption.
Leaving her there was heartbreaking for the couple. But just 48 hours later, the shelter called with wonderful news. They could adopt her!
Amy and Ross were overjoyed and so was Mahina, the name they chose for their new family member. The 2-year-old dog settled in immediately, claiming Ross’s beanbag chair as her own and happily playing with the toys they’d bought for her.
It is a joyful new beginning not just for Mahina, but for Amy and Ross too, who say it feels like they didn’t just rescue a dog. They found a dog who chose them to be her family.