Dick Van Dyke has shared the incredible news that his beloved cat, Bobo, has been found after going missing during the Malibu wildfires.
The 98-year-old Mary Poppins actor took to Facebook on Tuesday, December 10, to inform his followers that he and his wife, Arlene Silver, had safely evacuated their home, but were unable to locate one of their pets. “Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals except for Bobo, who escaped as we were leaving,” Van Dyke wrote at the time, expressing concern for the cat’s safety. “We’re praying he’ll be okay and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires.”
Many fans and followers reassured Van Dyke in the comments, reminding him that cats are resourceful and capable of surviving on their own for a while.
Just hours later, Van Dyke returned to the post with an uplifting update. “We found Bobo as soon as we arrived back home this morning,” he shared. “There was so much interest in his disappearance that Animal Control was called in to assist. But thankfully, he was easy to find and not harmed.”
He also shared a photo of Arlene Silver holding Bobo, surrounded by two animal control officers, showing the happy reunion.
The Franklin Fire, which started on Monday, had burned more than 4,000 acres and forced 20,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The city of Malibu, along with nearby areas like Serra Retreat, faced significant threats from the blaze.
Malibu’s mayor, Doug Stewart, described the experience as “a traumatic 20 hours,” with emergency operations moving to Calabasas after the city hall was at risk. Reflecting on the challenging situation, Stewart added, “It burns, it grows back, and we’re resilient.”
As of Thursday, December 12, Los Angeles County officials reported substantial progress in containing the fire. The fire, which had spread across 4,037 acres, was 20% contained, according to Cal Fire’s Dusty Martin. While some areas were preparing for the first phase of repopulation, mandatory evacuation orders remained in place in certain locations.
“To those who are still waiting, know that every effort is being made to ensure your safety and your return as soon as possible,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
In the midst of these challenges, Van Dyke also made headlines for his recent appearance in a Coldplay music video ahead of his 99th birthday on December 13. Filmed at his Malibu home, the video features Van Dyke reflecting on aging and his outlook on life. “I’m acutely aware that I could go any day now,” he said. “But I don’t know why it doesn’t concern me. I’m not afraid of it. I have the feeling that I’m gonna be alright.”
The video also included Van Dyke recreating his iconic penguin dance from Mary Poppins and performing The Twizzle, a signature dance from his 1960s sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show.
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