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Jason Hawkins stumbled on a frightened dog a quarter mile off the trail during what was supposed to be a relaxing hike

With no gear on hand, Hawkins used his tripod to create a makeshift leash that guided the pup back toward safety

The emotional reunion with the dog’s owners was captured on TikTok and subsequently went viral

A peaceful hike through the woods took a turn when Jason Hawkins ( @hawkins.hikes ) came across a small, terrified dog far from the trail. What began as a quiet adventure quickly became a viral story that touched thousands across TikTok.

“I was just worried,” Hawkins tells PEOPLE, remembering the first time he saw the pup curled up among the trees. “When I saw how far he was, I knew that he got away from [his owners], which meant it probably wouldn’

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