Pet parents can’t imagine their lives without their dogs and cats, but Susan Kehoe can’t imagine her life without her bears. She lives on a rural New Jersey property in a wooded area where black bears roam freely, and she’s befriended several generations of bears over the years. She’s gone viral many times for her shocking close encounters with her ursine friends, but one recent meeting was even closer and cuter than ever.
On November 20, Susan shared a video of a big bear stealing her doormat from inside her house and using it as a pillow. While the anxiously adorable moment would leave most people frightened out of their minds, Susan was as calm as can be about a bear nearly coming inside her home. She didn’t even flinch when he decided to tell her just how mad he was about leaving!
How can such a large, formidable predator look so cute and cuddly? My reaction went from ‘OMG’ to ‘aww’ in about five seconds, though I can imagine it took Susan much longer to get used to living this close to bears.
Related: Rescued Baby Grizzly Bears Run Free in Vet Clinic Like They Own the Joint
“Give him a warm bed and some porridge right now” @starcatcher___ commented. Wouldn’t that be funny? This scene already looks like a fairytale coming to life, but Susan is smart enough to know not to push her luck.
Besides, she hangs out with the bears all the time! She doesn’t even blink when a bear sits down to share her deck, and she even meets the cubs each spring.
Even so, this big bear wasn’t happy about being sent home. If he had to go, then so did the rug! Just like @_acethefrenchie_ said, “he wants to be an indoor bear so bad,” but that’s not in the cards for him yet.
Bears in November
To be fair, snuggling up in a warm and cozy home must sound wonderful to bears right now! While most bears are preparing to hibernate in their dens around this time of year, New Jersey’s black bears don’t truly hibernate at all. They still put on weight each winter and spend more time in their dens, but they enter a slowed-down state called torpor instead.
During torpor, bears’ heart rates and body temperatures are lowered, and they can survive for months on their own body fat. This sleepy state is more easily broken, and bears can come out of torpor at any time if the need arises.
The winter months may see less bear activity near Susan’s house, but the fall is still full of plenty of adorable moments like this doormat-snatching bear’s sleepy visit.
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This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Nov 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.