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Austin the Flyin Lion turns up in the Valley

2,137 views · Published 15 December 2010 · 9:24 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: TONY VERA TVNEWS · 2010 · People & Blogs

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By ABC Linda Mumma 

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- He's a four-legged phenom internationally known as "Austin the Flyin Lion."

The pint-sized Pomeranian and his owner Johnny Mitchell got their start performing high flying tricks at Venice Beach in southern California. Stopping the skateboard to occasionally pose in pictures with celebrities like Pierce Brosnan.

After turning heads for years - the dynamic duo was discovered by Hollywood producers. Then they took their show to the X Games in Aspen, the Olympics in Rome, and the Sundance Film Festival in Utah - where they became instant stars.

Mitchell said, "We showed up to a party together and left the party together."

That was until December 9th, 2010 when Austin suddenly disappeared during a routine trip to the beach.

Turns out the Flyin' Lion had leaped into a car with a young girl - and on Friday -- ended up at the Companion Animal Medical Center in Visalia.

Wendy Daniels said, "The owner came to have his wound checked and said they found him and with any of the found dogs we scan them to make sure they have their microchip so I scanned him and sure enough he had a microchip."

Vet Tech Wendy Daniels called the microchip company - got Mitchell's phone number and called Austin's owner. "He was like you found my dog? Are you serious? OMG! I'm so excited."

Problem is Mitchell now lives in Louisiana taking care of his ailing mother. He told Action News over the phone - he'd like to fly to California to reunite with his best friend. It's just a matter of money.

"I was very surprised," Mitchell said. "I immediately started crying cuz I was like you gotta figure out if this is real or not."

Reality has now set in and Johnny is doing everything he can to get here. Austin is now nine-years-old and maybe too old to perform -- but doctors deemed him in good health. And while we were there - the Flyin' Lion climbed onto the vet tech's arm and stood there like he was back at Venice Beach.

(Copyright ©2012 KFSN-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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