Dick Van Dyke Receives Countless Prayers From Fans After Evacuating Home Due to Wildfires
As wildfires continue to rage in California, Dick Van Dyke (just three days shy of his 99th birthday) took to Facebook to update fans on the state of his health, family and home after he and his wife Arlene Silver were forced to evacuate.
“Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals except for Bobo escaped as we were leaving. We’re praying he’ll be ok and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires,” Van Dyke posted on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Over 25,000 fans almost instantly responded, replying with over 2,000 prayers and good wishes for the beloved Van Dyke.
“Thank goodness you are safe, hopefully your loved pet Bobo will be found safe too. Praying for everyone, and animals affected,” shared one fan.
The fire, which originally covered about 10 acres, was reported on Monday in the area of Malibu Canyon Road, north of the Pacific Coast Highway. It has since spread to some 3,000-plus acres, leaving thousands of people without power and forced to evacuate their homes. Residents — including Van Dyke, Cher and other celebs — living in the area have moved to hotels as the brushfire rips through Southern California.
The Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang great also shared a short video of his orange cat Bobo, in hopes that someone may spot the beloved pet. Luckily a few days later, Van Dyke confirmed that Bobo the cat was found safe and sound. He wrote, “We found Bobo as soon as we arrived back home this morning. 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.”
Van Dyke originally met his wife Arlene Silver, 53, while attending the SAG Awards in 2007, where she was working as a makeup artist. At the time, Van Dyke was with his loving partner of 30-plus years, Michelle Triola, who died of lung cancer in 2009. Van Dyke and Silver wed in 2012.
“I have a few friends who have always enjoyed living alone. But for some reason, that just isn’t the life for me. You gotta have somebody to love,” he told People Magazine.
Together, the two will weather this latest hurdle and rely on family, friends and their beloved community. Let’s pray they all get a happy ending, and Van Dyke can truly celebrate a glorious 99th birthday on Friday, Dec. 13.
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