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March 4, 2016: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Image: Zeus rescued from pond

Owner Captures Rescue on Video

When Zeus jumped the fence in back of his New Hampshire home and fell through the ice into a pond, his panicked owner immediately called 911. Firefighters from Derry quickly arrived, and one slid out onto the thin ice to get to the dog, who was terrified and clinging to the ice with his two front paws. Zeus’ owner, Bernadette Trafton, captured the scene on video and can be heard yelling to the dog — who wasn’t thrilled to see his rescuer — that it was OK. Firefighter Jay Case and the 1-year-old dog were then pulled back to the safety of the shore. “When the firefighters got there, I was so relieved that I knew he was going to be OK,” Trafton said. She says she plans to get a higher fence now to keep Zeus inside, and the fire department emphasizes that she did the right thing by calling them for help. — Read it at New Hampshire’s WMUR

Cat Found 1,500 Miles From Home

A 2-year-old Russian Blue cat from Wisconsin is back home after a winter break in Florida. The adopted indoor cat escaped from her home on Christmas Eve after the back door blew open. Her owner, Cheri Stocker, “thought the worst” when there was a snowstorm, followed by bitter cold temperatures. But two months later, an animal shelter in Naples, Florida, called Stocker saying they’d found Nadia. Flight attendants with Allegiant Air offered to fly her home, and the Stockers were reunited with Nadia in Illinois. "My husband picked her up first, and I think she recognized us," Stocker said. "She nuzzled right into his neck." The Stockers aren’t sure how Nadia got to Florida, but they suspect she may have climbed into a trailer at a truck stop near their home. — Read it at USA Today

Snowy Owl Delivers Detailed GPS Data

Since he was first tagged with a GPS transmitter a year ago, Baltimore, an adult male snowy owl, has flown more than 6,200 miles. “The information we’ve gotten from Baltimore is by far the most detailed record of the movements of any snowy owl ever tagged,” said David F. Brinker, a biologist with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources. The data showed Baltimore wintered in Maryland and New Jersey then headed north through Manhattan to Lake Ontario. He reached the northern tip of Ungava Peninsula, about 300 miles below the Arctic Circle. Once the cold became too much, he turned south, and he’s now back in Maryland. Scientists expect him to head back north again soon, and think he may be starting a family in the near future. — Read it at Discovery News

Image: Lakers Kobe Bryant dog name

Bryant Gives Sneakers to Kids Who Guessed Dog’s Name

While he was benched with a shoulder injury at the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, some kids sitting near Kobe Bryant asked him about his dog. So, he made them an offer. “They wanted to know what the name of my pet dog was so I gave them a clue,” Bryant told The Denver Post. “I said, ‘It’s in a [Harry] Potter film.’ So every time, they threw out like 15 names. The deal was if they got it, I’d give them my shoes. And they got it.” The black Labrador Retriever’s name is Crucio, which is a reference to one of the three Unforgivable Curses in the series. The Lakers delivered on his promise, taking off his shoes and signing them before giving them to the young fans.  — Read it at Time

Pandas Get Grand Welcome in South Korea

On loan from China for 15 years, two giant pandas made their arrival in Seoul this week to lots of pomp and circumstance. The airport ceremony was led by a marching band and people dressed in panda costumes, and the paparazzi was there to capture it all on camera. Ai Bao, a 2-year-old female, and Le Bao, 3-year-old male, will be residents at Everland amusement park. — Watch it at the U.K.’s Telegraph