Newborn Otter; 3-Legged Kitten; Lost Emu; Reptiles Saved: All in Calif.

Animals from all over California made some wild (and darling) headlines this week.

Video: Newborn Sea Otter Snuggles With Mom in Monterey Bay

• Just days after a wild sea otter gives birth to a pup at the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Great Tide Pool, video shows the two floating in bliss.

‘Tolay,’ the 900-Pound Wayward Elephant Seal, Gives Birth

• The pregnant seal was very determined last week to cross Highway 37 in Sonoma County before she was eventually relocated to Point Reyes.

2-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Adopts 3-Legged Kitten

• Scarlette immediately noticed the “owie” that Holly the kitty has; an owie not much unlike her own.

‘This Kitten is a Fighter’: Amazing Rescue of Mangled Stray Found in Bushes

• ‘Holly’ the kitten needs a new home for the holidays after an amazing rescue in Perris. (Warning some graphic photos attached)

Did You Lose Your Emu? RivCo Animal Services Has Him

• The 5-foot- tall emu was found wandering near Hemet.

Firefighters Save Dog Trapped in Temecula Drain Pipe

• The county fire department pulled off a ‘technical rescue’ this weekend.

Know This Pooch? Found in La Verne

• The pup had no collar.

San Diego Condor Egg is Candled, Coddled, Incubated Toward Hatching

• The process of the chick pecking its way out of its shell is called “pipping.”

Benny the Pug Found Safe and Well

• Fairfield Police found the dog - seen thrown to the ground in a video - safe and well on New Year’s Day.

1,200-Pound Gray Whale Calf Washes Ashore in Santa Monica

• The calf was a premature birth, an ‘abortion’ by the mother an expert said.

Firefighters Use Oxygen Masks to Save Hundreds of Reptiles in Pet Store Fire

• As many as 300 snakes, lizards, tarantulas and other creatures were removed from the shop, which has been at the location for 25-plus years.

Dog Falls From Highway 4 Overpass, May Have Been Thrown

• Animal Services officers are trying to determine if the dog fell, or if someone threw the Australian Shepherd onto Highway 4.

Help! El Nino is Freaking Out my Pets

• Below are some tips on ensuring your pets are safe and feel secure during El Nino storms.

More animal stories on Patch:

• Reindeer Parties; Kitten Saved from Trash Compactor; Brain Damage in Sea Lions: All in Calif.
• Pig on a Highway; Hoarder Rabbits Seized; Squirrel Attack; El Nino May Affect Pets: All in Calif.
• Venomous Sea Snake; Gunman’s Husky Pup Adopted by Cop; Hotel Puppy Rescued: All in Calif.
• Kittens Rescued from Fire; Cow on Couch; Whale Caught in Lobster Line: All in Calif.
• Whale Trapped in Net; Wounded Blue Jay Gets CHP Help; New Home for Bay Bridge Chicken; Fatal Dog Mauling: All in Calif.
• Donations for Burned Dog; ATV Rider Killed in Collision With Horse; National Dog Day; Whale in Estuary: All in Calif.
• Endangered Otter Pups; Skunks Caught in Rat Traps; Multiple Mountain Lion Sightings; Cheetah Birthday: All in Calif.

This image by Mike Baird and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license from Video: Newborn Sea Otter Snuggles With Mom in Monterey Bay