At a Glance
- Reunited a man with his dog after a five-hour search following the Palisades Fire.
- Eaglets hatched in Big Bear; one died after a spring storm.
- Marine mammals-more than 60 sea lions and dolphins-were treated for a toxic algal bloom.
Why it matters: These stories show how California residents and wildlife face both heart-warming recoveries and harsh environmental challenges, highlighting the region’s resilience.
The past year in Southern California has been marked by wildfires, political headlines, and unexpected animal stories that captured hearts. From a tearful reunion after the Palisades Fire to a storm-killed eaglet in Big Bear, these events illustrate the region’s bond with its animal companions.
Reunions, Rescues, and Heart-warming Stories
In the wake of the Palisades Fire, Pacific Palisades resident Casey Colvin was reunited with his dog Oreo after a five-hour search. The dog had run away during evacuation orders, and Colvin could not reach him because he was at work and traffic delayed him. A dog-tracking system located Oreo nearly a week after the blaze, and the reunion was captured on video.
A Burbank Police K-9 named Spike was shot during a standoff in November and later honored with a procession. The 4-year-old dog died after being shot by a man who was trying to flee a traffic stop; the gunman, Jose Domingo Ayala Alas, was also killed by officers.
In Watts, an Akita stayed beside its owner’s body after a hit-and-run that killed the owner on a bicycle. Content creator Alex Choi rescued the dog and searched for a new home.
A 93-year-old West Hills man named Norm reunited with his dog Sunny after a two-week search. Norm, who travels on a motorized scooter, contacted Dog Days Search & Rescue for help.
- Casey Colvin & Oreo reunion after Palisades Fire
- Spike, Burbank K-9, memorial procession
- Alex Choi rescues Akita after hit-and-run
- Norm & Sunny reunion after two weeks
Alex Choi stated:
> “He kind of just paced around the canopy where they had his owner’s body,” said Alex Choi. “Just started howling and whining, it was really sad.”
Wildlife Challenges and Losses
Friends of Big Bear Valley celebrated the hatching of three eaglets by eagles Jackie and Shadow. A spring storm with two feet of snow left one eaglet missing, later confirmed dead. The nonprofit released a statement reminding observers that nature is wild and unscripted.
Friends of Big Bear Valley stated:
> “We are just observers and cannot predict what will happen next. We are reminded again that nature is wild and unscripted. It also has the power to unite our hearts. We are thinking about our Jackie and Shadow and our eagle family at this time.”
The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro treated more than 60 sea lions and dolphins that fell ill from a toxic algal bloom. The bloom, which builds up in sardines, anchovies, and shellfish, can cause lethargy, seizures, and aggressive behavior in exposed animals.
Amanda S. Bennett reports for News Of Los Angeles News at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
An Altadena homeowner named Ken Johnson discovered a 500-pound bear in his crawlspace after setting up a camera. He contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to trap and release the bear, but they have not yet captured it.
Ken Johnson said:
> “When I saw it all torn up, I thought, ‘He must not be under there,’ because there is no way a bear could fit.”
Amanda S. Bennett reports for News Of Los Angeles News at 8 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2025.
| Animal | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Oreo | Palisades Fire separation | Reunited via tracker |
| Eagle chick | Hatching, storm death | One dead, two survived |
| Sea lions/dolphins | Algal bloom illness | 60+ treated |
| Bear | Crawlspace occupation | Still living under home |
These incidents highlight how environmental changes-from wildfires to algal blooms-affect both domestic pets and wildlife, prompting community responses and wildlife agencies to intervene.
Key Takeaways
- A five-hour search reunited a man with his dog after the Palisades Fire.
- A storm-killed eaglet in Big Bear underscores the unpredictability of nature.
- Over 60 marine mammals were treated for a toxic algal bloom, showing the impact of environmental shifts.
From heart-warming reunions to sobering wildlife losses, Southern California’s animal stories of 2025 remind us that resilience and compassion go hand in hand with the region’s natural challenges.
