Maggie the dog has spent her life wandering the streets of Mexico, never knowing anything more than concrete and buildings.
Sixteen thousand dollars later, her owners can't wait to take her to the beach.
Maggie was dirty, starving and covered in ticks when Karla Turner spotted her on the way home from University in the Mexican city of Monterrey two years ago.
"I talked to her," Karla said, demonstrating kiss noises. "After that she started to follow me so I decided to just bring her home."
The first quote they received to bring her home was $25,000 - factoring in flights, quarantine time and stays in dog motels.
Luckily, the end cost was significantly less at $16,000, but still would have been unachievable without the help of generous New Zealanders.
A Givealittle page called Bring Maggie Home earned nearly $15,000, a fact that has "overwhelmed" the Turners.
"I'm so thankful that this country loves to give to animals, their money, their love, their support," said Karla.
The couple have been apart from Maggie since she was taken to Los Angeles to spend six months in quarantine. She was then flown to New Zealand and placed in quarantine in Levin for a further 10 days.
Today they were finally able to reunite.
"At first I think she was having trouble recognising us, then when she peed herself I was like 'oh yeah, she remembers us'," James said.
They plan to take her to the beach, to explore forests and rivers, and to meet other animals at James' parents farm in Kapiti, where she will live.
They are astounded at the kindness of donors who wanted to help bring Maggie home.
Karla said Maggie would always be a part of their lives, and when they had kids the children would grow up alongside their beloved dog.