NORFOLK, Va. — Pooh Bear, a 5-year-old English mastiff and Instagram darling, has become a local celebrity for his love of pup cups at Doumar’s in Norfolk — a cheeseburger topped with vanilla ice cream. A recent video of Pooh helping his owner replace flooring has racked up nearly 17 million views.
Owner Paul Holley of Virginia Beach says it began with an eight-second clip he shot after coming home from the gym. “He was standing on the table and I went and got my phone, filmed it in 8 seconds and put it on Instagram. It was like 5 million and I was like, ‘Wow,’” Holley said.
Today Pooh has about 162,000 followers, and his Instagram Reels have topped 200 million views in total. Holley said he doesn’t put himself into the posts — “It’s all about him” — and that a recurring bit with an AI-generated “Granny” has been especially popular.
Big brands such as Cheetos, Pizza Hut and PetSmart follow Pooh — and Doumar’s has taken notice. “He is an absolute gentle giant. Look at this — he takes anything I give him so gently. Of course he loves the fries,” said Kathy Doumar-Windley of Doumars.
Pooh’s appetite is famously large. Holley estimates he eats 5 to 10 pounds of food a day, and specialty treats can be expensive. But with the online following and engagement he brings, Pooh Bear has become a beloved — and profitable — presence across Hampton Roads.
