Wild and Wonderful Moments with Pets and Wildlife in the Southland
Tail-Wagging Moments
The past year was filled with heartwarming and heart-stopping encounters between humans and animals in the Southland. From run-ins with wildlife to endearing pet moments, here are some of the biggest animal stories of 2024.
MLB Superstar Shohei Ohtani and His Trusty Sidekick Decoy
It was the pitch that captured the hearts of Major League Baseball fans. Superstar slugger Shohei Ohtani and his very good boy Decoy were the dream team behind an aww-inducing first pitch on August 28. Just before the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the Baltimore Orioles, Ohtani and Decoy took to the mound. Donning his own Dodger jersey, Decoy "threw" the first pitch by fetching and delivering the baseball to No. 17, who was waiting for him at home plate.
Heartwarming Reunion: Man Reunites with Beloved Cat After Home Fire
Heartwrenching video of a man’s tearful reunion with his beloved cat was captured after firefighters rescued the feline from a home fire in Tarzana on July 25. Distraught, Isaac Vaizman begged firefighters to find his 14-year-old cat, Cheetah, as they battled the flames that ripped through his home. Thankfully, first responders were able to find the elder cat and hand her over to Vaizman, who wailed with relief and fell to his knees as he embraced his pet.
Dramatic Rescue: Dog Chases After Owner’s Car After Being Abandoned
A video of a dog desperately chasing after its owner after it was dumped on a Long Beach road broke hearts on social media. A food delivery driver recorded the video after she saw someone in a Lexus push the pooch out of the car. After the car took off, the dog ran after it, making several attempts to jump back in. Eventually, the video was widely shared on social media and a group of people were able to locate the dog.
Wild Encounters
Bear’s Refreshing Swim in Monrovia Pool
Bears aren’t an unusual sight in Monrovia, but one relaxed bear garnered hundreds of thousands of views online when she was seen gracefully using a pool float to glide across a pool. Monrovia homeowners Ricardo Martinez and Brian Gordon said they’ve seen bears pop their pool floats before, but never seen one successfully use the devices — until June 27.
Coyote Attack: Comedian and Actress Brittany Furlan Lee Shares Warning
A run-in with a coyote left comedian and actress Brittany Furlan Lee, wife of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, sharing her experience as a warning to others. Furlan Lee was supervising her two small dogs in the comfort of her own backyard when a coyote suddenly snatched her 10-year-old dachshund, Neena. Home surveillance footage showed the frightening encounter as the dog owner frantically yelled and chased after the coyote with her pooch in its mouth.
Other Notable Animal Stories
Lost Cat Finds New Home 650 Miles Away
A Utah couple that accidentally shipped their pet cat to an Amazon facility in Riverside was grateful she was found by an employee. Matt and Carrie Stevens Clark were returning a pair of shoes to Amazon when their cat, Galena, sneakily made herself comfortable in the box and was inadvertently shipped. "We had no idea, so Matt took her to the package drop-off without knowing that our dear cat was inside," Carrie said.
Fake Bear Attack: Four People Arrested for Insurance Fraud
Although no animals were involved in this incident, it was still a wild occurrence centered around a bear costume, phony clawmarks, and resulted in several arrests. Four people requested an insurance payout for their car, a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost, after claiming a bear had entered the car and caused interior damage to the vehicle in Lake Arrowhead. To prove that it was actually not a bear damaging the three cars in the video, a biologist from the Department of Fish and Wildlife was brought in to review the footage.
Conclusion
The past year was filled with heartwarming and heart-stopping animal stories in the Southland. From pets and wildlife, these encounters left us in awe of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. As we look back on these stories, we are reminded of the importance of compassion, kindness, and understanding in our relationships with animals and the natural world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the most popular animal story of 2024?
A: The most popular animal story of 2024 was the heartwarming reunion between a man and his beloved cat after a home fire in Tarzana.
Q: What was the most shocking animal story of 2024?
A: The most shocking animal story of 2024 was the fake bear attack scheme, in which four people were arrested for insurance fraud.
Q: What was the most unexpected animal story of 2024?
A: The most unexpected animal story of 2024 was the Utah couple’s cat, Galena, being accidentally shipped to an Amazon facility in Riverside 650 miles away.
