Latest news with #Pauline
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Police charge a man over decades-old disappearance of NSW mum-of-three
A 64-year-old man has been charged in relation to the cold case disappearance of Wollongong mother of three Pauline Sowry. In December 1993, the recently divorced 49-year-old woman - who was also known by her married name, Pauline Lawrence - disappeared, leaving behind distraught sons Jason, Paul and Adam. On May 29, Southern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar announced police had made significant progress in the case. "I am pleased to say that earlier this morning, at 8.30am ... police officers attached to the detective's office of the Wollongong police district have executed a search warrant in Murphys Avenue, Gwynneville," he said. "They have arrested a 64-year-old man who's currently in custody at the police station... being interviewed by the Wollongong detectives, and it is specifically in relation to the disappearance of Pauline Lawrence." On Thursday afternoon, police charged the man with accessory after the fact to murder and concealing a serious indictable offence. He was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Friday. Earlier, Assistant Commissioner Cassar said Jason, the only living son of Pauline, had been informed of the arrest. "He and the extended family are ... very supportive of the results and very supportive of police never losing interest in searching for the whereabouts of their mother as well as trying to find what has certainly occurred," he said. "It is a bit of a bittersweet position that we find ourselves in, and that they do have some degree of resolution, however, it doesn't resolve the hurt that they endure every single day of not having a loved one, their mother, with them to share times with their families." Pauline's body has never been located. In December 2024, police revealed they had conducted two digs in rugged bushland off O'Briens Road in Figtree and found clothes thought to belong to the missing mother. A cream-coloured button-down long-sleeve blouse with colourful hand-stitching design was found along with long black trousers during the digs in March and May 2023 and again in October 2024. In March 2024, police announced a $500,000 reward for information into Pauline's disappearance. In May 2024, police revealed Pauline may have been travelling south of Wollongong in a white-coloured 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan in 'pristine' condition. During an exclusive interview with the Mercury in July 2024, Pauline's son Jason said his Mum's disappearance and suspicious death have taken a significant toll on the family. For years, he wondered if she'd left of her own accord, and those thoughts shattered him. "That's in the back of your mind that you think that mum may have disappeared, or she walked off, or she met someone or had gone overseas," he said in July 2024. Click on the photo to see more pictures. Jason was 24 years old when his Mum disappeared. For Pauline's other sons, Paul and Adam, who were 27 years old and 18, respectively, the struggle became too much, and they both have since died by suicide. He might have last seen his Mum 31 years ago, but he still vividly remembers her as a woman who loved listening to her favourite vinyl, especially Diana Ross and the Eurythmics. She loved cooking up a storm for her three sons and ensured they ate every last vegetable on their plate before they were allowed to leave the table. Strike Force Anthea was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline's disappearance. If you have any information about Pauline Sowry's suspicious disappearance, contact Wollongong Police on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can provide information anonymously. A 64-year-old man has been charged in relation to the cold case disappearance of Wollongong mother of three Pauline Sowry. In December 1993, the recently divorced 49-year-old woman - who was also known by her married name, Pauline Lawrence - disappeared, leaving behind distraught sons Jason, Paul and Adam. On May 29, Southern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar announced police had made significant progress in the case. "I am pleased to say that earlier this morning, at 8.30am ... police officers attached to the detective's office of the Wollongong police district have executed a search warrant in Murphys Avenue, Gwynneville," he said. "They have arrested a 64-year-old man who's currently in custody at the police station... being interviewed by the Wollongong detectives, and it is specifically in relation to the disappearance of Pauline Lawrence." On Thursday afternoon, police charged the man with accessory after the fact to murder and concealing a serious indictable offence. He was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Friday. Earlier, Assistant Commissioner Cassar said Jason, the only living son of Pauline, had been informed of the arrest. "He and the extended family are ... very supportive of the results and very supportive of police never losing interest in searching for the whereabouts of their mother as well as trying to find what has certainly occurred," he said. "It is a bit of a bittersweet position that we find ourselves in, and that they do have some degree of resolution, however, it doesn't resolve the hurt that they endure every single day of not having a loved one, their mother, with them to share times with their families." Pauline's body has never been located. In December 2024, police revealed they had conducted two digs in rugged bushland off O'Briens Road in Figtree and found clothes thought to belong to the missing mother. A cream-coloured button-down long-sleeve blouse with colourful hand-stitching design was found along with long black trousers during the digs in March and May 2023 and again in October 2024. In March 2024, police announced a $500,000 reward for information into Pauline's disappearance. In May 2024, police revealed Pauline may have been travelling south of Wollongong in a white-coloured 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan in 'pristine' condition. During an exclusive interview with the Mercury in July 2024, Pauline's son Jason said his Mum's disappearance and suspicious death have taken a significant toll on the family. For years, he wondered if she'd left of her own accord, and those thoughts shattered him. "That's in the back of your mind that you think that mum may have disappeared, or she walked off, or she met someone or had gone overseas," he said in July 2024. Click on the photo to see more pictures. Jason was 24 years old when his Mum disappeared. For Pauline's other sons, Paul and Adam, who were 27 years old and 18, respectively, the struggle became too much, and they both have since died by suicide. He might have last seen his Mum 31 years ago, but he still vividly remembers her as a woman who loved listening to her favourite vinyl, especially Diana Ross and the Eurythmics. She loved cooking up a storm for her three sons and ensured they ate every last vegetable on their plate before they were allowed to leave the table. Strike Force Anthea was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline's disappearance. If you have any information about Pauline Sowry's suspicious disappearance, contact Wollongong Police on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can provide information anonymously. A 64-year-old man has been charged in relation to the cold case disappearance of Wollongong mother of three Pauline Sowry. In December 1993, the recently divorced 49-year-old woman - who was also known by her married name, Pauline Lawrence - disappeared, leaving behind distraught sons Jason, Paul and Adam. On May 29, Southern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar announced police had made significant progress in the case. "I am pleased to say that earlier this morning, at 8.30am ... police officers attached to the detective's office of the Wollongong police district have executed a search warrant in Murphys Avenue, Gwynneville," he said. "They have arrested a 64-year-old man who's currently in custody at the police station... being interviewed by the Wollongong detectives, and it is specifically in relation to the disappearance of Pauline Lawrence." On Thursday afternoon, police charged the man with accessory after the fact to murder and concealing a serious indictable offence. He was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Friday. Earlier, Assistant Commissioner Cassar said Jason, the only living son of Pauline, had been informed of the arrest. "He and the extended family are ... very supportive of the results and very supportive of police never losing interest in searching for the whereabouts of their mother as well as trying to find what has certainly occurred," he said. "It is a bit of a bittersweet position that we find ourselves in, and that they do have some degree of resolution, however, it doesn't resolve the hurt that they endure every single day of not having a loved one, their mother, with them to share times with their families." Pauline's body has never been located. In December 2024, police revealed they had conducted two digs in rugged bushland off O'Briens Road in Figtree and found clothes thought to belong to the missing mother. A cream-coloured button-down long-sleeve blouse with colourful hand-stitching design was found along with long black trousers during the digs in March and May 2023 and again in October 2024. In March 2024, police announced a $500,000 reward for information into Pauline's disappearance. In May 2024, police revealed Pauline may have been travelling south of Wollongong in a white-coloured 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan in 'pristine' condition. During an exclusive interview with the Mercury in July 2024, Pauline's son Jason said his Mum's disappearance and suspicious death have taken a significant toll on the family. For years, he wondered if she'd left of her own accord, and those thoughts shattered him. "That's in the back of your mind that you think that mum may have disappeared, or she walked off, or she met someone or had gone overseas," he said in July 2024. Click on the photo to see more pictures. Jason was 24 years old when his Mum disappeared. For Pauline's other sons, Paul and Adam, who were 27 years old and 18, respectively, the struggle became too much, and they both have since died by suicide. He might have last seen his Mum 31 years ago, but he still vividly remembers her as a woman who loved listening to her favourite vinyl, especially Diana Ross and the Eurythmics. She loved cooking up a storm for her three sons and ensured they ate every last vegetable on their plate before they were allowed to leave the table. Strike Force Anthea was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline's disappearance. If you have any information about Pauline Sowry's suspicious disappearance, contact Wollongong Police on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can provide information anonymously. A 64-year-old man has been charged in relation to the cold case disappearance of Wollongong mother of three Pauline Sowry. In December 1993, the recently divorced 49-year-old woman - who was also known by her married name, Pauline Lawrence - disappeared, leaving behind distraught sons Jason, Paul and Adam. On May 29, Southern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar announced police had made significant progress in the case. "I am pleased to say that earlier this morning, at 8.30am ... police officers attached to the detective's office of the Wollongong police district have executed a search warrant in Murphys Avenue, Gwynneville," he said. "They have arrested a 64-year-old man who's currently in custody at the police station... being interviewed by the Wollongong detectives, and it is specifically in relation to the disappearance of Pauline Lawrence." On Thursday afternoon, police charged the man with accessory after the fact to murder and concealing a serious indictable offence. He was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Friday. Earlier, Assistant Commissioner Cassar said Jason, the only living son of Pauline, had been informed of the arrest. "He and the extended family are ... very supportive of the results and very supportive of police never losing interest in searching for the whereabouts of their mother as well as trying to find what has certainly occurred," he said. "It is a bit of a bittersweet position that we find ourselves in, and that they do have some degree of resolution, however, it doesn't resolve the hurt that they endure every single day of not having a loved one, their mother, with them to share times with their families." Pauline's body has never been located. In December 2024, police revealed they had conducted two digs in rugged bushland off O'Briens Road in Figtree and found clothes thought to belong to the missing mother. A cream-coloured button-down long-sleeve blouse with colourful hand-stitching design was found along with long black trousers during the digs in March and May 2023 and again in October 2024. In March 2024, police announced a $500,000 reward for information into Pauline's disappearance. In May 2024, police revealed Pauline may have been travelling south of Wollongong in a white-coloured 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan in 'pristine' condition. During an exclusive interview with the Mercury in July 2024, Pauline's son Jason said his Mum's disappearance and suspicious death have taken a significant toll on the family. For years, he wondered if she'd left of her own accord, and those thoughts shattered him. "That's in the back of your mind that you think that mum may have disappeared, or she walked off, or she met someone or had gone overseas," he said in July 2024. Click on the photo to see more pictures. Jason was 24 years old when his Mum disappeared. For Pauline's other sons, Paul and Adam, who were 27 years old and 18, respectively, the struggle became too much, and they both have since died by suicide. He might have last seen his Mum 31 years ago, but he still vividly remembers her as a woman who loved listening to her favourite vinyl, especially Diana Ross and the Eurythmics. She loved cooking up a storm for her three sons and ensured they ate every last vegetable on their plate before they were allowed to leave the table. Strike Force Anthea was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline's disappearance. If you have any information about Pauline Sowry's suspicious disappearance, contact Wollongong Police on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can provide information anonymously.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Questions remain decades after death of Pauline Pusser
ADAMSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — From mystery novels to thrillers, Oakley Dean Baldwin has authored more than 30 books. But out of his entire body of work, the true crime story of his relative, Pauline Pusser, hits especially close to home. 'I'm distant cousins to her. My grandmother and her father, Jack Mullins, were raised together back in Haysi, Dickenson County, Virginia,' explained Baldwin, author of Murder of Mrs. Buford Pusser. Who was legendary lawman Buford Pusser? Baldwin remembers Pauline as a very giving and loving person. She was murdered in an ambush meant to take out her husband, Sheriff Buford Pusser. The couple was driving and the killers ambushed their car with a barrage of gunfire. At least that's the story told for decades but Baldwin isn't so sure that's the truth. Baldwin and his family started doing their own research. 'We were shaking our head at every turn with the evidence that we were finding. Nothing was making any sense. A lot of red flags,' said Baldwin. Why were Pauline Pusser's remains exhumed? 'You have the sheriff whose 36-year-old wife gets murdered and you don't do an autopsy on her that's really strange to me,' said Baldwin. Baldwin would know the proper investigative steps as he spent decades in law enforcement working real-life crime mysteries. But the one about his own cousin wasn't stacking up. For example, the day Pauline was killed, she was out on a service call with her sheriff husband when the killers ambushed the car. But Baldwin claims the patrol car — a key piece of evidence in Pauline's cold case — was allowed to be put back into service at the sheriff's office. 'They repaired all the bullet holes and the glass and it was put back into service for deputies to drive. And that's something that's really odd. If you haven't solved the crime, and you don't think someone is a person of interest, you don't release the evidence like that. So that was a red flag when I read that – who in the world would release that car?' asked Baldwin. Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More Baldwin called the investigation back then 'shoddy' and says the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is more professional organization today than it was in 1967 when politicians had more sway over investigators. Over the years, many have speculated that Buford killed his own wife and covered it up. The TBI recently exhumed Pauline's body in hopes of solving the case. 'That's the $64,000 question. That's why we are all looking for the autopsy results. I feel like that's either going to clear up a whole lot or its going to stir up a whole lot…We just want the truth to come out. Let the chips fall where they fall.' Baldwin said once the current investigation is wrapped up and the autopsy revealed, he will update his book with the new findings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Man arrested in the cold case disappearance of mother-of-three
A man has been arrested in relation to the cold case disappearance and suspected murder of Wollongong mother of three Pauline Sowry. The recently-divorced 49-year-old disappeared in December 1993, and she left behind distraught sons Jason, Paul and Adam. A NSW Coronial inquest in 2008 found Pauline Sowry, who was also known by her married name of Pauline Lawrence, had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994. Following decades of police investigations and public tip-offs, a man was arrested on Thursday, May 29. Police will address the media at 10.30am, more to come. In December 2024, police revealed they had conducted two digs in rugged bushland off O'Briens Road in Figtree and found clothes thought to belong to the missing mother. A cream-coloured button-down long-sleeve blouse with colourful hand-stitching design was found along with long black trousers during the digs in March and May 2023 and again in October 2024. In March 2024, police announced a $500,000 reward for information into Pauline's disappearance. In May 2024, police revealed Pauline may have been travelling south of Wollongong in a white-coloured 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan in 'pristine' condition. During an exclusive interview with the Mercury in July 2024, Pauline's son Jason said his Mum's disappearance and suspicious death have taken a significant toll on the family. For years, he wondered if she'd left of her own accord, and those thoughts shattered him. "That's in the back of your mind that you think that mum may have disappeared, or she walked off, or she met someone or had gone overseas," he said in July 2024. Click on the photo to see more pictures. Jason was 24 years old when his Mum disappeared. For Pauline's other sons, Paul and Adam, who were 27 years old and 18, respectively, the struggle became too much, and they both have since died by suicide. He might have last seen his Mum 31 years ago, but he still vividly remembers her as a woman who loved listening to her favourite vinyl, especially Diana Ross and the Eurythmics. She loved cooking up a storm for her three sons and ensured they ate every last vegetable on their plate before they were allowed to leave the table. Strike Force Anthea was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline's disappearance. If you have any information about Pauline Sowry's suspicious disappearance, contact Wollongong Police on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can provide information anonymously. A man has been arrested in relation to the cold case disappearance and suspected murder of Wollongong mother of three Pauline Sowry. The recently-divorced 49-year-old disappeared in December 1993, and she left behind distraught sons Jason, Paul and Adam. A NSW Coronial inquest in 2008 found Pauline Sowry, who was also known by her married name of Pauline Lawrence, had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994. Following decades of police investigations and public tip-offs, a man was arrested on Thursday, May 29. Police will address the media at 10.30am, more to come. In December 2024, police revealed they had conducted two digs in rugged bushland off O'Briens Road in Figtree and found clothes thought to belong to the missing mother. A cream-coloured button-down long-sleeve blouse with colourful hand-stitching design was found along with long black trousers during the digs in March and May 2023 and again in October 2024. In March 2024, police announced a $500,000 reward for information into Pauline's disappearance. In May 2024, police revealed Pauline may have been travelling south of Wollongong in a white-coloured 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan in 'pristine' condition. During an exclusive interview with the Mercury in July 2024, Pauline's son Jason said his Mum's disappearance and suspicious death have taken a significant toll on the family. For years, he wondered if she'd left of her own accord, and those thoughts shattered him. "That's in the back of your mind that you think that mum may have disappeared, or she walked off, or she met someone or had gone overseas," he said in July 2024. Click on the photo to see more pictures. Jason was 24 years old when his Mum disappeared. For Pauline's other sons, Paul and Adam, who were 27 years old and 18, respectively, the struggle became too much, and they both have since died by suicide. He might have last seen his Mum 31 years ago, but he still vividly remembers her as a woman who loved listening to her favourite vinyl, especially Diana Ross and the Eurythmics. She loved cooking up a storm for her three sons and ensured they ate every last vegetable on their plate before they were allowed to leave the table. Strike Force Anthea was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline's disappearance. If you have any information about Pauline Sowry's suspicious disappearance, contact Wollongong Police on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can provide information anonymously. A man has been arrested in relation to the cold case disappearance and suspected murder of Wollongong mother of three Pauline Sowry. The recently-divorced 49-year-old disappeared in December 1993, and she left behind distraught sons Jason, Paul and Adam. A NSW Coronial inquest in 2008 found Pauline Sowry, who was also known by her married name of Pauline Lawrence, had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994. Following decades of police investigations and public tip-offs, a man was arrested on Thursday, May 29. Police will address the media at 10.30am, more to come. In December 2024, police revealed they had conducted two digs in rugged bushland off O'Briens Road in Figtree and found clothes thought to belong to the missing mother. A cream-coloured button-down long-sleeve blouse with colourful hand-stitching design was found along with long black trousers during the digs in March and May 2023 and again in October 2024. In March 2024, police announced a $500,000 reward for information into Pauline's disappearance. In May 2024, police revealed Pauline may have been travelling south of Wollongong in a white-coloured 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan in 'pristine' condition. During an exclusive interview with the Mercury in July 2024, Pauline's son Jason said his Mum's disappearance and suspicious death have taken a significant toll on the family. For years, he wondered if she'd left of her own accord, and those thoughts shattered him. "That's in the back of your mind that you think that mum may have disappeared, or she walked off, or she met someone or had gone overseas," he said in July 2024. Click on the photo to see more pictures. Jason was 24 years old when his Mum disappeared. For Pauline's other sons, Paul and Adam, who were 27 years old and 18, respectively, the struggle became too much, and they both have since died by suicide. He might have last seen his Mum 31 years ago, but he still vividly remembers her as a woman who loved listening to her favourite vinyl, especially Diana Ross and the Eurythmics. She loved cooking up a storm for her three sons and ensured they ate every last vegetable on their plate before they were allowed to leave the table. Strike Force Anthea was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline's disappearance. If you have any information about Pauline Sowry's suspicious disappearance, contact Wollongong Police on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can provide information anonymously. A man has been arrested in relation to the cold case disappearance and suspected murder of Wollongong mother of three Pauline Sowry. The recently-divorced 49-year-old disappeared in December 1993, and she left behind distraught sons Jason, Paul and Adam. A NSW Coronial inquest in 2008 found Pauline Sowry, who was also known by her married name of Pauline Lawrence, had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994. Following decades of police investigations and public tip-offs, a man was arrested on Thursday, May 29. Police will address the media at 10.30am, more to come. In December 2024, police revealed they had conducted two digs in rugged bushland off O'Briens Road in Figtree and found clothes thought to belong to the missing mother. A cream-coloured button-down long-sleeve blouse with colourful hand-stitching design was found along with long black trousers during the digs in March and May 2023 and again in October 2024. In March 2024, police announced a $500,000 reward for information into Pauline's disappearance. In May 2024, police revealed Pauline may have been travelling south of Wollongong in a white-coloured 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan in 'pristine' condition. During an exclusive interview with the Mercury in July 2024, Pauline's son Jason said his Mum's disappearance and suspicious death have taken a significant toll on the family. For years, he wondered if she'd left of her own accord, and those thoughts shattered him. "That's in the back of your mind that you think that mum may have disappeared, or she walked off, or she met someone or had gone overseas," he said in July 2024. Click on the photo to see more pictures. Jason was 24 years old when his Mum disappeared. For Pauline's other sons, Paul and Adam, who were 27 years old and 18, respectively, the struggle became too much, and they both have since died by suicide. He might have last seen his Mum 31 years ago, but he still vividly remembers her as a woman who loved listening to her favourite vinyl, especially Diana Ross and the Eurythmics. She loved cooking up a storm for her three sons and ensured they ate every last vegetable on their plate before they were allowed to leave the table. Strike Force Anthea was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline's disappearance. If you have any information about Pauline Sowry's suspicious disappearance, contact Wollongong Police on 4226 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can provide information anonymously.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Rich history of Wicklow's ‘Granite Village' celebrated during heritage and music festival
The village has a rich history based on the granite quarried for almost two centuries, and the tradition of stone-cutting still plays an important role. The festival featured everything from a choir performance in Valleymount Church and a stone-cutting museum in McEvoy's Quarry, to guided hikes, a family fun day and live music each night in Cullen's Lakeview Lounge. Before the festival began, volunteers clear the old stone walls in preparation for Féile an Chnocáin. One of the festival organisers, Pauline Foster said: 'Volunteers got out and cleaned the old stone walls and removed all the weeds and growth from the walls to reveal the lovey granite wall. It's something we are going to continue over the year.' The festival got under way with a concert by Ballymore Connect Choir in St Joseph's Church, Valleymount. Things kicked off again the following day, with a talk and sideshow on the flooding of Blessington Lake proving a major attraction. 'Seamus Cullen delivered the talk and we had enough seating for 40 people at St. Joseph's Community Hall, only for 143 people to show up, so we had to go around and get some extra seating, but it was great to see such a large attendance,' added Pauline. On the Sunday, Patrick Ward led a guided walk up Silséan, with everyone meeting in Cullen's car park for 10.45am. Pauline added: 'Patrick is a local man who takes part in adventure races, so he knows the hills like the back of his hand. Around 35 people attended the walk.' McEvoy's Quarry held a stonecutting and heritage museum on the Saturday, which drew large crowds throughout the day, featuring stone splitting, poetry reading, stone lifting and live music. Pauline added: 'The museum featured an old crane which had been reassembled and was used around 70 to 80 years ago, maybe even longer, which picked up and lifted large granite rocks. Indiana Stones also held a demonstration on the ancient art of stone lifting.' One of the highlights of the festival was the action-packed family fun day held in the picnic area on the Sunday. Pauline said: 'All the village seemed to get out for the family fun day, as well as plenty of visitors from Blessington and surrounding areas. We were also blessed with the weather. It was a bit breezy but bone dry. Overall we were delighted with how well attended all the evets were, and the festival ended on te Monday with a great open trad session and live music in Cullen's Lakeview Lounge.'
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Pug Keeps Hiding in Closet—Vet Visit Reveals Heartbreaking Truth
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When Maya the pug started hiding from her owner, she had a feeling something was wrong, but she wasn't prepared for what the vet would tell her. Pauline, 29, from San Francisco, discovered four-year-old Maya hiding in the closet on the morning of May 17. The normally upbeat pug was suddenly withdrawn and vomiting, prompting Pauline to rush her to the vet. In a video with over 6.4 million views on TikTok, she explained: "Soulmated so hard that the vet told me she's been hiding in my closet cause she didn't want me to see her in pain." Maya the dog at the vet after she was "hiding" from her owner. Maya the dog at the vet after she was "hiding" from her owner. @ "She was throwing up and then started hiding in the closet," Pauline, who only shared her first name, told Newsweek. "I was really surprised. She's usually upbeat and always near me, so when I found her hiding and throwing up, I rushed her to the vet right away." Pauline took her to the vet where she had an X-ray and bloodwork. Maya needed fluids and medication through an IV, but she is now recovering well. But the vet explained that it was likely Maya was hiding in the closet to hide her illness from her owner. After the ordeal, Pauline couldn't believe how Maya had tried to hide her sickness, and was inspired to share it with others online. "I wanted to show how deeply our dogs love us. Even when they're hurting, they try to protect us by hiding it," she said. Experts say that dogs hiding when they're sick stems from a deeply ingrained instinct passed down from wild ancestors. In the wild, a sick or injured animal is vulnerable to predators, so hiding is a survival mechanism. Domesticated pets, particularly dogs and cats, retain this protective instinct, often seeking secluded spots when they are unwell. While hiding isn't always a sign of something bad happening, it is always a good idea to get your pet checked out by a veterinarian if they start acting differently or unusually. As the video of Maya on her TikTok account, @ gained more attention online since being shared earlier this month, people rushed to the comments to share their reactions. "You were most definitely her person. She didn't want to burden you but also probably chose your closet because your scent is all in it," said viewer Jenn. While TikToker Valentia said: "Cats do the same thing!! Cats do it because they feel weak and they're supposed to be your 'protector' so they feel ashamed and useless." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
