Ariel, Yoyo and Ralphie.Photo:Greenacres Rescue/Facebook, Lupita Nyong’o/instagram, Niagara SPCA/ Facebook
Greenacres Rescue/Facebook, Lupita Nyong’o/instagram, Niagara SPCA/ Facebook
There were many highs, lows and whoas in the year 2023, but one thing was consistent: PEOPLE readers loved their pets and the pets of others — and couldn’t get enough content about them.As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back at some of the heartwarming pet moments that captured our attention in 2023 — fromSelma Blair’s various outings with her devoted service dog Scout, to Wally the emotional support alligator’s day at a hockey game.
There were many highs, lows and whoas in the year 2023, but one thing was consistent: PEOPLE readers loved their pets and the pets of others — and couldn’t get enough content about them.
As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back at some of the heartwarming pet moments that captured our attention in 2023 — fromSelma Blair’s various outings with her devoted service dog Scout, to Wally the emotional support alligator’s day at a hockey game.
01of 11Selma Blair’s Service Dog, Scout, Goes to the White HouseGripas Yuri/ABACA/ShutterstockIf you’ve seenSelma Blairout and about this year, then you’ve probably seen her service dog, Scout. TheCruel Intentionsactress adopted the pup in Dec. 2021, to assist her with her daily tasks since being diagnosed withmultiple sclerosis back in 2018.Since then, the now three-year-old English Labrador has accompanied her everywhere — press tours, coffee runs, even theWhite House.“He’s with me all the time,” Blairtold PEOPLEback in 2022. “If I fall into a big [muscle] spasm or have some trouble moving and need to recalibrate, he can get between my legs, help me get up, and balance me. It’s given me a lot of independence.”
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Selma Blair’s Service Dog, Scout, Goes to the White House
Gripas Yuri/ABACA/Shutterstock
If you’ve seenSelma Blairout and about this year, then you’ve probably seen her service dog, Scout. TheCruel Intentionsactress adopted the pup in Dec. 2021, to assist her with her daily tasks since being diagnosed withmultiple sclerosis back in 2018.
Since then, the now three-year-old English Labrador has accompanied her everywhere — press tours, coffee runs, even theWhite House.
“He’s with me all the time,” Blairtold PEOPLEback in 2022. “If I fall into a big [muscle] spasm or have some trouble moving and need to recalibrate, he can get between my legs, help me get up, and balance me. It’s given me a lot of independence.”
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Molson the Golden Retriever Gets a Real Puppy Companion
A golden retriever in Hawaiigot the gift of a lifetimewhen his family decided to find him a friend.
Molson had always carried a stuffed dog named Kelsie with him, since being separated from his siblings as a puppy. His owners noticed Molson formed an immediate attachment to the toy, which the owners gave the pup so he would not miss his brothers and sisters.
After watching their four-legged friend cuddle the toy for over two years, the Deverys decided to get Molson a real-life companion in the form of a puppy named Posie, who looks similar to Molson’s favorite toy.
03of 11Justin Theroux’s Pit Bull Mix, Kuma, Hits the Red CarpetJustin Theroux with Kuma.Jamie McCarthy/GettyIt’s hard to steal focus fromJustin Therouxonce he steps in front of the camera, but his gorgeous dog, Kuma, did so effortlessly when the twoattended the Humane Society’s To The Rescue! Gala in New York Cityback in October.A champion for pet adoption, Theroux adopted Kuma in 2018 and the pair have been inseparable since. “If you are considering getting a dog, please visit your local shelter,” hewrote on Instagram,while celebrating their fifth anniversary. “There are TENS OF THOUSANDS of Kumas out there that would love to make your life so much better.”
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Justin Theroux’s Pit Bull Mix, Kuma, Hits the Red Carpet
Justin Theroux with Kuma.Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
It’s hard to steal focus fromJustin Therouxonce he steps in front of the camera, but his gorgeous dog, Kuma, did so effortlessly when the twoattended the Humane Society’s To The Rescue! Gala in New York Cityback in October.
A champion for pet adoption, Theroux adopted Kuma in 2018 and the pair have been inseparable since. “If you are considering getting a dog, please visit your local shelter,” hewrote on Instagram,while celebrating their fifth anniversary. “There are TENS OF THOUSANDS of Kumas out there that would love to make your life so much better.”
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Wally the Emotional Support Alligator Gets His Moment in the Spotlight
Wally the emotional support alligatorhad quite the year. The internet’s favorite reptile made waves in September when he wasdenied entranceto the Citizens Bank Stadium, home of the baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies.
Unfortunately, the stadium’s policy states that only “guide dogs, service animals or service animals in training are welcome” and “all other animals are prohibited,” thus excluding Wally both as an “emotional support animal” and as an alligator.
The fun moment between Gritty and Wally (who belongs to Pennslyvania native Joie Henney) made it to themascot’s Instagram.
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Taylor Swift’s Feline Trio
Taylor Swift Cats.Taylor Swift Instagram
Travis Kelcemay have sweptTaylor Swiftoff her feet in recent months, but every Swiftie knows her three cats have had her heart for a while.
Swift’scat companionsstarted with Meredith Grey — a Scottish Fold — back in 2011. She then followed up with another Scottish Fold whom she named Olivia Benson in 2014 and then a Ragdoll kitten named Benjamin Button in 2019.
And further elevating her cats' fame, Benjamin Button even appeared on Swift’sTimecover for Person of the Year in 2023.
06of 11Bayley Is the ‘Spitting Image’ of SnoopyAn adorable mini sheepadoodlestole the hearts of many animal loverswhen he went viral for his striking resemblance to famous cartoon canine Snoopy back in April.The one-year-old’s cute face caught the eye of the Instagram accountDoodle Dogs Club, which then shared a photo of the dog next to a shot of the cartoon character fromPeanuts.“Meet@Bayley.Sheepadoodle, the spitting image of Snoopy!” the caption read. “With those big ears and that button nose, Bayley is the perfect real-life version of our favorite cartoon dog.“Bayley’s official Instagram account also hopped into the comment section of the post, writing: “😳 That’s me 🥰😁 Hi 🐾 everyone ❤️ Thank you@doodledogsclubfor putting my photos together. You are paw🐾some 😘"The picture has since accumulated over a million likes.
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Bayley Is the ‘Spitting Image’ of Snoopy
An adorable mini sheepadoodlestole the hearts of many animal loverswhen he went viral for his striking resemblance to famous cartoon canine Snoopy back in April.
The one-year-old’s cute face caught the eye of the Instagram accountDoodle Dogs Club, which then shared a photo of the dog next to a shot of the cartoon character fromPeanuts.
“Meet@Bayley.Sheepadoodle, the spitting image of Snoopy!” the caption read. “With those big ears and that button nose, Bayley is the perfect real-life version of our favorite cartoon dog.”
Bayley’s official Instagram account also hopped into the comment section of the post, writing: “😳 That’s me 🥰😁 Hi 🐾 everyone ❤️ Thank you@doodledogsclubfor putting my photos together. You are paw🐾some 😘”
The picture has since accumulated over a million likes.
07of 11Chris Evans' Superhero Dog, DodgerChris Evans and Dodger.Chris Evans/ InstagramChris Evansis Captain America to most, but it seems one of his personal heroes is his four-legged bud, Dodger.In April, the Marvel star and the Boxer mixteamed up with pet food brand Jinxand Evans couldn’t stop raving about his love and adoration for Dodger — who was named after the Artful Dodger in Disney’s 1988 filmOliver & Company.“He’s so honest. He’s so genuine,” the actortold PEOPLE. “He has no idea who I am other than I’m just his man, that’s it … And that’s just so refreshing. There’s just something about him that feels like a brand new soul, and it just makes me smile every time I see him.”
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Chris Evans' Superhero Dog, Dodger
Chris Evans and Dodger.Chris Evans/ Instagram
Chris Evans/ Instagram
Chris Evansis Captain America to most, but it seems one of his personal heroes is his four-legged bud, Dodger.
In April, the Marvel star and the Boxer mixteamed up with pet food brand Jinxand Evans couldn’t stop raving about his love and adoration for Dodger — who was named after the Artful Dodger in Disney’s 1988 filmOliver & Company.
“He’s so honest. He’s so genuine,” the actortold PEOPLE. “He has no idea who I am other than I’m just his man, that’s it … And that’s just so refreshing. There’s just something about him that feels like a brand new soul, and it just makes me smile every time I see him.”
08of 11Ariel, the Spaniel with Six LegsGreenacres Rescue/FacebookA United Kingdom animal shelter revealed they had rescued a female spaniel with six legsback in September.The dog was “handed into a local veterinary practice” on Sept. 27 after she was found abandoned in the parking lot at the Pembroke Dock location of the B&M home improvement and garden store chain.Greenacres Rescue Pembrokeshire — the shelter who took in the sweet pup —wrote on Facebookthat after running some tests, they found that, “internally [the dog] is normal” and “her organs are all as they should be.”“We have no idea why she would be born with a defect,” Greenacres' Mikey Lawlor toldNewsweek. “Never seen this before.“Lawlor added that the shelter named the puppy Ariel afterThe Little Mermaidcharacter because her “extra legs look like a tail.”At the time of the reporting, Ariel was adjusting well to her foster home while the rescue evaluated what medical intervention she would need next.
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Ariel, the Spaniel with Six Legs
Greenacres Rescue/Facebook
A United Kingdom animal shelter revealed they had rescued a female spaniel with six legsback in September.
The dog was “handed into a local veterinary practice” on Sept. 27 after she was found abandoned in the parking lot at the Pembroke Dock location of the B&M home improvement and garden store chain.
Greenacres Rescue Pembrokeshire — the shelter who took in the sweet pup —wrote on Facebookthat after running some tests, they found that, “internally [the dog] is normal” and “her organs are all as they should be.”
“We have no idea why she would be born with a defect,” Greenacres' Mikey Lawlor toldNewsweek. “Never seen this before.”
Lawlor added that the shelter named the puppy Ariel afterThe Little Mermaidcharacter because her “extra legs look like a tail.”
At the time of the reporting, Ariel was adjusting well to her foster home while the rescue evaluated what medical intervention she would need next.
09of 11Ralphie the ‘Demon Dog’ Gets a New HomeAt first glance, it’s hard to believe this cute little French bulldog would have a hard time finding a home. However, in a brutally honest Facebook postwritten in January, theNiagara SPCAtold readers that looks can be deceiving, this pup named Ralphie was an actual terror. Described as a “fire-breathing demon,” this 26-lb. bundle of chaos had a hard time being adopted due to his riotus ways.“He’s a whole jerk- not even half,” the SPCA wrote. “Everything belongs to him. If you dare test his ability to possess THE things, wrath will ensue. If you show a moment of weakness, prepare to be exploited. Sounds fun, huh?“However, after some training and rehabilitation, Ralphiefinally found a new homein March.“Well, it’s time to reveal Ralphie’s next adventure,” theNiagara SPCA shared. “After reviewing 700+ emails, speaking with several dozen potential adopters, and sending applicants on to Ralphie’s trainer to review, we found who we believe is Ralphie’s perfect adopter.“Ralphie’s new pet parent was a dog owner named Jason, the shelter revealed. The Tennessee resident was “uniquely qualified because both his Frenchie and Dachsund had bite histories before living with him” and now live “super active and enriching lives — running marathons, and placing in agility and flyball.”
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Ralphie the ‘Demon Dog’ Gets a New Home
At first glance, it’s hard to believe this cute little French bulldog would have a hard time finding a home. However, in a brutally honest Facebook postwritten in January, theNiagara SPCAtold readers that looks can be deceiving, this pup named Ralphie was an actual terror. Described as a “fire-breathing demon,” this 26-lb. bundle of chaos had a hard time being adopted due to his riotus ways.
“He’s a whole jerk- not even half,” the SPCA wrote. “Everything belongs to him. If you dare test his ability to possess THE things, wrath will ensue. If you show a moment of weakness, prepare to be exploited. Sounds fun, huh?”
However, after some training and rehabilitation, Ralphiefinally found a new homein March.
“Well, it’s time to reveal Ralphie’s next adventure,” theNiagara SPCA shared. “After reviewing 700+ emails, speaking with several dozen potential adopters, and sending applicants on to Ralphie’s trainer to review, we found who we believe is Ralphie’s perfect adopter.”
Ralphie’s new pet parent was a dog owner named Jason, the shelter revealed. The Tennessee resident was “uniquely qualified because both his Frenchie and Dachsund had bite histories before living with him” and now live “super active and enriching lives — running marathons, and placing in agility and flyball.”
10of 11Lupita Nyong’o Adopts a New Cat Amid BreakupLupita Nyong’o with new cat Yoyo.Lupita Nyong’o/instagramChristmas came early forLupita Nyong’o, whogot herself a furry friendjust in time for the holidays.“Introducing my new companion, Yoyo!” theBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreveractress wrote. “I have historically been afraid of cats, but when my life was altered instantly recently, a little voice whispered to me that it was time to embrace change and new possibilities,” she said, seemingly alluding toher split from Selema Masekela.Andaccording to Nyong’o, her new feline friend is already showing tons of personality. “He LOVES company. He LOVES food,” she wrote. “He is very picky about his wand toys. He only drinks running water. The bugs in the house don’t stand a chance. He can’t be trusted around supplements!”
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Lupita Nyong’o Adopts a New Cat Amid Breakup
Lupita Nyong’o with new cat Yoyo.Lupita Nyong’o/instagram
Lupita Nyong’o/instagram
Christmas came early forLupita Nyong’o, whogot herself a furry friendjust in time for the holidays.
“Introducing my new companion, Yoyo!” theBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreveractress wrote. “I have historically been afraid of cats, but when my life was altered instantly recently, a little voice whispered to me that it was time to embrace change and new possibilities,” she said, seemingly alluding toher split from Selema Masekela.
Andaccording to Nyong’o, her new feline friend is already showing tons of personality. “He LOVES company. He LOVES food,” she wrote. “He is very picky about his wand toys. He only drinks running water. The bugs in the house don’t stand a chance. He can’t be trusted around supplements!”
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Stache the National Dog Show Winner.Purina
Purina
Ahead of his National Dog Show win, Stache was the #2-ranked Terrier and #12-ranked All-Breed show dog in America. With the 2023 National Dog Show’s Best in Show title, Stache has now won 49 Best in Show prizes.
source: people.com
