An unexpected puppy rescue has captured hearts on social media after a California woman in Hawaii stumbled on a tiny, shivering puppy in the field next to their house on the island.
In the now-viral clip, Megan Novak wrote: “Found this baby puppy in the open field next to the house shivering cold covered in fleas. Probably about 4–6 weeks old.”
The video showed the fragile puppy wrapped in a yellow towel as Novak gently stroked her head.
Novak and her family immediately began searching the surrounding area for any sign of the puppy’s mother or siblings, but found no others. With no 24-hour veterinary clinics on the island, they cared for the puppy themselves through the night.
They gave her a flea bath, handpicking the pests from her fur, and kept her warm in blankets overnight.
By the next morning, signs of hope emerged. The once-weak puppy woke up with new energy—and even wagged her tail for the first time.
Later that day, the family was able to pick up specialist milk from the vet and get some much-needed advice on caring for a small puppy.
‘We Are Her Forever Home’
It was not long before the family decided what would happen to the pup. For them, the answer was clear. “Her name is Milky and we flew her home from Hawaii to California. We are her forever home,” Novak told Newsweek.
“I made and shared the video because it was a really emotional process finding and saving the little puppy,” she said. “I spent countless sleepness nights worrying about her and hoping all our work would let her survive. We found her around 4 weeks old and she was very weak and cold.”
The Instagram video telling the story has now been viewed more than 470,000 views, and in the comments people shared their reactions to Milky’s rescue.
“Omg!! Such a little angel,” said one commenter. While another wrote: “Well done how could you resist that bundle of love.”
One viewer said: “Looks like you found a friend for life. The best friend you’ll ever have.”
Novak was delighted by the reaction online. “Making the video was a creative emotional release for me,” she said. “I posted it hoping it will show people what these poor rescue animals go through before they are rescued. I am so touched by the response and all the comments on the video. Social media can be a very negative space and it is nice to see the comments all radiate with love and positivity.”
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