Unexpected Bear Guest Turns Pool into Summer Playground

California Couple Shares Viral Encounter with Pool-Loving Bear Named Punky

A Los Angeles couple received an unforgettable surprise this summer when a black bear decided their backyard pool was the perfect spot to beat the heat. Instead of panicking or chasing the animal away, they embraced the unusual visit, capturing it on video and sharing a powerful reminder about living harmoniously with wildlife.

Source: Instagram

The Instagram reel, posted under the handle @poolbearlife, shows the bear—nicknamed Punky—splashing happily in the water before climbing onto a cupcake-shaped float. At one point, Punky batted at bubble lanterns, turning the quiet backyard into what viewers described as a surreal summer scene. The text overlay captured the whimsical moment perfectly: “Punky’s cupcake float moment still lives rent-free in our heads. Yeah, that’s a real cool bear on a cupcake-shaped pool float. Not A.I. just pure pool bear bliss. We all need Punkys and cupcakes in our life.”

Brian Gordon, who runs the account with his partner Ricardo Martinez, told Newsweek that while it might seem extraordinary to outsiders, encounters like this are not rare for those living so close to nature. Their home sits just 75 feet from the Angeles National Forest, a natural corridor for bears, coyotes, bobcats, and deer. The couple explained that the bears are not aggressive; most are indifferent to humans, stopping briefly before moving on.

Source: Instagram

Still, Gordon and Martinez stress that safety comes first. They never approach Punky or any other bear, choosing instead to stay indoors when wildlife is nearby. They also follow guidelines from wildlife experts: securing trash, removing food from cars, and keeping windows shut. Typically, Punky spends just a few minutes cooling off before disappearing back into the forest, leaving only ripples in the water and smiles on the homeowners’ faces.

The August video quickly went viral, surpassing 522,000 views and drawing more than 37,000 likes. Thousands of comments poured in, ranging from humor to heartfelt appreciation. “How does one get a pool bear?” one commenter joked, while another praised the couple’s restraint: “I love that you just let these beautiful animals live their best lives by cooling down in your pool. Thank you for respecting their space.”

For Gordon and Martinez, Punky’s visits are more than entertaining—they’re symbolic. To them, the bear represents the possibility of coexisting peacefully with nature when people take the right precautions. “We feel fortunate to share our environment with such amazing animals,” Gordon said, adding that each visit feels like a fleeting gift.

Source: Instagram

What began as a funny video of a bear floating on a pool toy has now become a global reminder: coexistence is possible when met with respect, caution, and a willingness to share our world. For Punky, it’s just another refreshing swim; for millions of viewers, it’s proof that sometimes the wildest visitors bring the sweetest lessons.