A group of cyclists biking across Morocco gained more than memories on their journey through the Sahara — they gained a loyal companion who would travel over 60 miles with them and ultimately find a new life on the other side of the world.
Emily Lawson, a New Zealand-born veterinarian and avid traveler, was biking with a group of friends when they encountered a stray dog in the desert. The dog — dusty, underweight, and clearly alone — approached them during a break in their ride. The cyclists gave her gentle affection, not expecting the dog to keep up once they resumed their journey.
But to their surprise, she did.
“She ran with us for about 30 miles,” Lawson recalled in a March 2 Instagram video on her account. “She was determined, even though her paw pads were wearing down and she could barely walk.”
Moved by the dog’s resilience, the group fashioned makeshift protection by wrapping socks around her paws. As the dog — later named Hara — continued to follow them, they knew they couldn’t just leave her behind.
After spending a week together, the group brought Hara to an animal refuge in Agadir, a coastal city in southwestern Morocco. They planned to find her a home — no easy feat in a country where an estimated 3 million stray dogs roam the streets and pet adoption is rare.
Realizing the odds were stacked against Hara, Lawson made a life-changing decision.
“She was the definition of man’s best friend,” Lawson said. “I knew I had to bring her home.”
Over the next four months, Hara remained in Morocco to complete the necessary rabies vaccinations and bloodwork required for international travel. Lawson returned in April to bring her back to her new home in the United Kingdom.
Now settling into her new life, Hara is thriving. “She honestly amazes us every day with how happily she’s adjusting,” Lawson told Newsweek.
The heartwarming story resonated with people across the world. Lawson’s Instagram video documenting Hara’s journey has since gone viral, garnering over 1 million views and a wave of supportive comments.
“Being chosen by a dog is the most rewarding feeling,” wrote one viewer. Another added, “Congratulations human, she has now adopted you!”
Despite starting her life in the harsh desert, Hara’s journey is a reminder of how love — and a little determination — can change a life forever.
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