A TikTok video documenting the dramatic transformation of a “starving and scared dog” found alone in the mountains has captured the attention of thousands online, earning more than 104,000 views and 20,000 likes.
The video shared to @sunnyy_jayy begins with the frightened dog hiding in the bushes before cautiously accepting canned food from the woman who discovered him. The footage then shifts to a series of joyful scenes: the once‑fearful dog now called Tanalu running with a fluffy bear in his mouth, splashing through a pond, rolling in the grass, and enjoying carefree days on the beach.
The woman, who found the dog in O‘ahu, Hawaii, notes that she found the dog in her twenties, but in the caption she adds: “he rescued me.”
Viewers Shocked by Breed
Social media users were stunned that such a popular and beloved breed could be left behind.
“Who abandons a sweet golden retriever,” one commenter asked, while another added: “I can’t imagine any dog being abandoned.”
Golden retrievers have long been ranked as America’s third‑favorite breed, according to the American Kennel Club, making the dog’s situation even more surprising to viewers.
Why Golden Retrievers Rarely End Up in Shelters
A 2025 analysis of more than 67,000 Petfinder listings by Hartley Law-Commercial found that golden retrievers—despite being one of America’s most sought‑after family dogs—almost never appear in shelters nationwide. When they do, they are typically adopted quickly due to overwhelming demand.
However, Louisville, Kentucky, stood out as a major exception. The study revealed that golden retrievers were among the most common breeds in local shelters there, a stark contrast to national trends.
Across other major cities, shelter populations look very different:
- German shepherds dominate in Los Angeles
- American bulldogs are common in Miami
- Herding breeds such as Australian shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs top lists in Chicago and Denver
- Chihuahuas lead in New Orleans and Salt Lake City
- Greyhounds appear frequently in Cleveland and Tampa, likely due to racing industry pipelines
Lost, Abandoned, or Never Found?
Some viewers suggested the dog may not have been intentionally abandoned.
“Sometimes they get lost and owners have not found them after looking for so long and gave up…I’m glad he survived and you found him,” one user wrote.
Another wondered whether anyone had searched for him: “I know you took him in but did no one go looking for him? He looks so happy now.”
The situation reflects the mission of Oʻahu’s official pet lost and found service, which reminds the public that 1 in 3 pets will go missing at some point in their lives. With the right support, many are reunited with their families—and in cases like this one, a lost pet may instead find a new, loving home when a former owner never comes forward.
Newsweek reached out to @sunnyy_jayy for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.