From portraying Charles Brandon in Showtime’s The Tudors, to saving the world as Superman, actor Henry Cavill enjoys quite a reputation as one of the best of the best in the film industry, and the fact that he is a huge dog lover make us love him even more.
Everyone who admires this British-born actor’s work and follows him on the social media is familiar his 8-year-old American Akita, Kal. Cavill never misses a chance to post photos of his pet and friend, describing Kal as “part dog, part bear, part pig and all soul,” and calling him an “absolute gem.”
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“I’ve had him since he was 10 weeks old and we have been through thick and thin together,” Cavill wrote. “We actually spend so much time together, I’m not sure who imitates who anymore!”
In a recent appearance on the British morning talk show Lorraine, Cavill brought his dog to the studio and spoke of how much he means to him. He revealed that Kal is his best buddy and that they do everything together.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Justice League star shared a personal revelation involving Kal. “He has saved my emotional and psychological bacon plenty of times. We have an incredibly close bond,” the actor said. “He senses it when I’ve got my own stuff on, he’ll be close — he’s almost always close, but he’ll be closer.”
Cavill makes sure Kal accompanies him everywhere he goes. The dog is almost always there when he films The Witcher, the Netflix fantasy series he currently stars on.
“He was there the entire time, he spent most of his time in the trailer rather than on set,” Cavill told People. “Because when he can see me, but he can’t get to me, he tends to start making a lot of noise. We didn’t want him running in halfway through a scene or a sword fight especially, because he would be taking people down. But he was always there.”
“He has been an absolute savior for me,” Cavill said in an interview with On Demand Entertainment. “He is a true companion and in those moments where I just need another being around but not necessarily to be putting lots of effort in that person.
“He’s fantastic. To me, he’s very much — he’s a dog but he’s a companion. He’s a person as well.”
Witnessing such strong connection between a man and his dog is a beautiful thing. Kal is happy to have a loving owner as Cavill who inspires millions to treat animals as genuinely as he does.
One of the things humans did right is the many connections they managed to establish with different kids of animals. As we are used to keeping dogs and cats as pets, other animals, such as horses and donkeys, can make awesome friends too.
Donkeys for example are very special creatures. One thing that characterizes their nature, according to Donkey Sanctuary, is their ability to make long-time friends with those of their kind, although it’s not unusual for them to bond with horses and mules, too. However, in case they lose the friend they made strong connection with, it can be damaging for them. As per the Donkey Sanctuary if they get separated from their companions, it can easily cause stress which can lead to the dangerous condition of hyperlipaemia, characterized by an excess of fat in the bloodstream.
Source: YouTube
Donkeys are easy to train because they are fast learners. They also do great around humans if they are approached the right way.
The donkey from this story has been raised by the family of a girl who liked the animal very much. After not having seen each other for quite some time, the girl and the donkey reunited again, and it was a very emotional moment; one which left many stunned.
As the girl gets closer to the gate, the donkey realizes he’s looking at a familiar face. He then let out a sound filled with emotions. The girl grabbed him by the sides of his face and gave him a gentle kiss on the nose. The donkey continued braying as though he was trying to tell her he is happy to see her again. At the end of the footage which shows the emotional reunion, the donkey appears to be smiling.
Source: YouTube
When it was first uploaded on YouTube some 3 years ago, the video got over 4.1 million views. This year, it reemerged again and has been seen over 6.4 views on Twitter.
This shows that humans and animals are capable of forming strong bonds that can last a lifetime.
Fitness guru Richard Simmons spent a great portion of his life under the spotlight, but that all changed in 2014 when he decided not to appear in public any longer and even closed his gym. His fans couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the man who helped millions of people lose millions of pounds and who never took the grin off of his face. His sudden disappearance triggered a number of rumors, each crazier than the other.
Richard Simmons was born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948, but he eventually changed his name into Richard. Speaking of it, he told Tampa Bay Times in 2008, ”Well, you know, in the French Quarter (of New Orleans), they call me Dickie, so that was my name. Then, when I went to high school, it went to Richard. But I was named after a rich uncle … and he promised that if I had his name, I’d have a college education. And he did.”
Living in New Orleans, the place known for its delicious street food made Richard gain a lot of weight during his young years.
At one point of his life he weighted 270 pounds.
Richard Simmons poses for a portrait in 1992 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
After trying a number of diets and supplements, he realized that the only way to lose weight was to turn to healthy food and fitness and that’s when he founded his famous health club, “Simmons.”
Over the years, he hosted a number of shows which gathered the attention of millions. No one was immune to Simmons’ smile, energy, and charm. It didn’t take long before he became a household name loved by many.
During the 80’s and 90’s, he was a regular guest on The Howard Stern Show, and he often showed up on David Letterman’s talk shows.
“I receive 25,000 to 30,000 letters a day, and the reason I travel a lot is to meet these people, who are part of my family. I do not think of myself as a celebrity. I basically relate to people like myself,” Richard told People in 1981.
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His eccentric look and distinctive hair only added to his uniqueness.
When it came to his hair, Richard confessed in an interview with The Pantagraph in 2008 that it was a result of three “horribly painful” hair transplants. As it turned out, all the diets he experimented with when he was younger led to bаldness.
”When I was 19, I starved for two and a half months and I lost 116 pounds and I almost died. And at that point in my life I had to have a rebirth. What does Richard Simmons want and how can he get healthy and continue to do two things: make people laugh and help people? Because that’s all I ever wanted to do in my life,” he told NPR about that period of his life.
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Richard was an influential figure in the world of fitness and became an advocate, thus spoke up before a hearing in Congress and demanded the House Education and Labor Committee to expand physical education in public schools.
“Everyone is not a jock. Everyone cannot play sports. Everyone cannot run. But everyone can be fit. When you’re feeling great about yourself, when you have self-esteem and self-respect for yourself, there isn’t nothing you can’t do,” he said.
Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
What we know of Richard’s private life is that he never married and doesn’t have any children. In an interview with The Pantagraph in 2008, he revealed that he lived in the Hollywood Hills with his dalmatians.
In 1997, actress Kathy Kinney appeared on the Rosie O’Donnell Show and claimed Richard was gay. O’Donnell didn’t ask any further questions but asked for commercials instead. Later, she explained, ”When Kathy Kinney came on my show and outed Richard Simmons, I didn’t try to “in” Richard Simmons. The gay community accused me of in-ing Richard Simmons, like I was trying to make people think that he was straight. I will tell you this: If Richard Simmons ever wants to discuss his private life with me on national TV, he’s welcome to do so. It is not anyone else’s right to do that before he decides it’s time. That’s the reason I said to Kathy Kinney, “We’ll be right back with a commercial.” I’m simply saying that that right belongs to him. [Loudly] And no matter what community you feel he’s a part of or what he represents to you, it is not as relevant as his own truth.” Richard, on the other hand, didn’t give any comments.
Maury Phillips/WireImage
When he suddenly disappeared from the public eye, and shut his fitness studio down, people started speculating about the reasons he wasn’t on TV any longer. Some claimed that he had been locked by his housekeeper, which turned out not to be true after the police got involved in an attempt to research those claims.
Richard released a statement regarding closing his gym which read, “In 1974, I opened Slimmons as a way to help people make positive changes in their lives by having fun while exercising. It was a place to make friends, listen to and learn from others, lose weight and gain confidence. These were all the reasons I went to Slimmons too!”
Richard’s brother, Lenny, said in 2017 that Richard wasn’t missing, he just wanted to live more quieter life. He was forced to explain what was going on after Richard shared a photo of him writing he was doing just fine. However, fans noticed the photo was taken some years before and that only added fuel to the fire.
Tommy Estey, Richard’s spokesman, said in a statement, “He’s helped millions of people lose millions of pounds. And for 40 years, he took care of everyone but himself.”
Ron Eisenberg/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
However, with the start of the pandemic, Richard decided to post his old training videos on his YouTube channel in an attempt to help people stay in shape during the lockdowns.
“I am very excited that my groundbreaking fitness series of Sweatin’ to the Oldies still is so relevant and popular and I hope many new fans will discover these timeless classics,” he told People.
Richard has inspired many to turn to healthier lifestyle, and we are all very thankful for that.
Stories about kindness offered to complete strangers always restore our faith in humanity.
Travel blogger Johnny Jet has been documenting his exciting travel experiences for more than 23 years. As he has been to almost every part of the world, he knows a lot about different cultures and accepted social behavior, and that includes proper airplane etiquette.
One day, as he was on a plane, he overheard the flight-attendant saying there was a soldier on board. Having had deep respect for the servicemen and servicewomen who do a lot for the safety of our country and put their lives on the line every single day, he decided to give up his first class seat to the soldier.
“I heard the flight attendant say something about a soldier, and I looked up and I saw his uniform and I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” Johnny recalled.
At that moment, Johnny asked the flight attendant whether he could proceed with his attention. As they told him he could, he approached the soldier and told him to take his seat.
The soldier said thank you and shook Johnny’s hand, and that was it.
Johnny completely forgot about his kind deed, but then, around six years later, he got a note on his blog that left him completely surprised. It was from the soldier, and it read:
“I was the solider you gave your seat to,” the note read. “The story of your unbelievable generosity I have shared with my friends and family many times. It was something that I will never forget and although some may say it was just a seat or you may have felt it wasn’t much, for me it was symbolic.
“To this day it remains the only time I ever flew 1st class and I cherish the memory of the time a stranger who loved his service men and women so much that without regard to onlookers reminded me why I was going over to fight for the next year and a half.”
Johnny was touched by the message. He had no idea his deed could have such an impact on that soldier. His reply was: “Wow. Thank you for your service and the kindest email I have ever received.”
Back in 2005, the nation was shocked by the case of the “Caged Kids.” It was reported that many of the 11 children adopted by Sharen and Michael Gravelle from Norfolk, Ohio were forced to sleep in cages. It was later discovered that the children, aged 1 to 14 years old, were also beaten and suffered numerous tortures such as having their heads flushed in a toilet.
This could have been going on if it wasn’t for one man who discovered and reported the mistreatment of the poor children.
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A year later, the couple lost custody of the children and were convicted of child endangerment and abuse. Both served two-years in prison for what they did. The kids were given combined $3.2 million settlement from the counties they lived in before being adopted by the evil parents.
Now, 10 years after they were saved, two of the kids, Abba and Simon, were about to meet the person who helped in their rescue.
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The two spoke of their ordeal at Dr.Phil’s show and shared details of everything they had to go through under the care of the Gravelles.
“If he was here right now, I would gladly give him the biggest hug ever. He saved my life, he saved her life,” said 18-year-old Simon, pointing to his sister, Abba, “because who (knows) what they could’ve done to her.”
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“Well, he told us the same thing,” Dr. Phil replied. “He said if he ever got to meet the two of you, he would give you a big hug, too. So let’s let that happen. Carlyle, come on out!”
It was one of those reunions that make everyone shed tears. Emotional to the core.
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Carlyle Smith recalled visiting the family’s home back in 2003 for a job interview to help take care of the 11 kids with special needs. It was then when he learned the boys and the girls were sleeping locked in cages. The couple even warned him that if he gets the job he should be careful because they were able to escape those cages every now and then. When one of the children soiled himself, they didn’t changed him but punished him by locking him inside in front of Carlyle’s eyes.
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“(If not) for doing what you did, one or both of these young people might not be here today. How’s it feel to see these two young people now?” Dr. Phil asked.
“Amazing. It’s absolutely amazing,” Smith said. “I’m so proud of you guys.”
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You can take a look at the touching reunion in the video below. You might need your tissues for this one.
What most teenagers dream of is to go to college, travel the world, and have many friends. 12-year-old Taylor Smith, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was no different. This girl spent her days around her family and friends and loved watching a lot of Doctor Who.
Smith outlined these plans in a letter she wrote to her future self in April 2013. The letter was placed inside a box in her room with the instruction “To be opened by Taylor Smith on April 12, 2023 only (unless said otherwise).”
Taylor Smith
Unfortunately, she didn’t live long enough to see whether those dreams would be accomplished. Just months after she wrote that letter, Taylor died of complications from a sudden onset of pneumonia.
Her parents, Tim and Mary Ellen Smith, were heartbroken. They couldn’t believe their girl was forever gone.
One day, as they were sorting through her possessions, they found the letter. As it touched them deeply, they decided to share it online and give others some solace.
Taylor Smith
As she shared her daughter’s letter, Marry Ellen wrote: “I can’t physically resurrect her, I can’t bring her back, but
I’m so grateful people have been inspired by her story.”
Taylor Smith
Below is Taylor’s letter and the words she wrote to herself.
Taylor SmithDear Taylor,How’s life? Life is pretty simple right now (10 years in your past). I know I’m late for you, but as I’m writing, this is early, so; congratulations on graduating high school! If you didn’t, go back and keep trying. Get that degree! Are you (we) in college? If not, I understand. We do have pretty good reasoning, after all.Don’t forget, it’s Allana’s 11th birthday today! Sheesh, 11 already? In my time, she just turned 1! I didn’t get to go to that party though, because I was in Cranks, Kentucky for my first mission trip. I’ve only been back for 6 days!Speaking of, how’s your relationship with GOD? Have you prayed, worshipped, read the bible, or gone to serve the lord recently? If not, get up and do so NOW! I don’t care what point in our life we’re in right now, do it! He was mocked, beaten, tortured, and crucified for you! A sinless man, who never did you or any other person any wrong!Now, have you gone on any more mission trips? Have you been out of the country yet? How about on a plane?Is Doctor Who still on the air? If not, what regeneration did they end it with? You should go watch some Doctor Who! Later though, you gotta finish reading your own words of wisdom!Do you have your own place yet? If we’re in college, what are we majoring in? Right now, I wanna be a lawyer.Have you been to Dollywood recently? Right now, their newest attraction is the Wild Eagle. It’s so fun!Also I think I’m going to sell my iPad and buy an iPad mini, Don’t forget to tell your kids that we’re older than the tablet! Attached I also have a drawing of an iPad, so you can show them.Well, I think that’s all. But remember, it’s been 10 years since I wrote this. Stuff has happened, good and bad. That’s just how life works, and you have to go with it.Sincerely, Taylor Smith
Beautiful words from an angel who was taken away from her family too soon!
If you were touched by Taylor’s words as much as we were, please share this story in her memory.
Over the years, humans became so distant that it is not unusual for most of us to turn a blind eye when we see someone is in trouble. Not involving in other people’s business is a good thing, but this doesn’t apply when we see someone struggling and needs help.
Thankfully, there are also people like Lisa Lemming who restore our faith in humanity.
As this woman, who is a caretaker at a senior home center in Georgia, was doing her shopping, she noticed an elderly man standing next to one of the aisles. She smiled at him, but her intuition could tell her something was wrong, he had a tormented look in his eyes. In order to be sure the man was okay, she decided to approach and check on him.
When she asked him if he everything was fine, the senior teared up. Lisa later shared the story and started her post writing: “Just spent 2 hours with an elderly man at Kroger. It started with me just smiling at him, making eye contact. As I walked past him he looked like he needed something.”Lisa Lemming Jackson/Facebook“I went back and asked him if I could help him. Tears welled up in his eyes and he said, ‘I have colon cancer and I have had a really bad accident, if I get up out of this cart everyone will know. What should I do?’”
Lisa assured him that everything was going to be just fine and spoke to one of the employees, explaining what was going on. The workers stepped in without hesitating even a bit and helped him clean himself up. They even gave him dry clothes to put on in order to be able to leave the store and go home.
Lisa Lemming Jackson/Facebook“The look of his dignity lost left me with a lump in my throat. From that moment on, Kroger staff quickly fetched us wipes, undergarments and discreetly took him to their employer bathroom Area where he was given clothes. He cried and apologized. He said he had to hurry his wife was at home alone,” Lisa wrote.
As it turned out, the man was a veteran who served in the Vietnam and the Korean war. Over the years, he started feeling that the country has failed him, but what Lisa did restored his faith in humanity.
Lisa Lemming Jackson/Facebook
The encounter ended up with some tears of joy and words of advice.
“We both cried and I shared with him my own struggles and fears… He gave me words of wisdom and encouraged me that maybe after all, humanity still does care about one another,” Lisa wrote. “Today proved it. Thank you Elmer, thank you Kroger and thank you God for the lesson and reminder I received today.”
This story is the perfect proof that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a huge difference.
One thing single mom Krystal Preston should be extremely proud of is her parenting.
This woman has a hard time making ends meet because she raises her three children on her own, with no support from her former partner. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tries to hide from her kids how exhausted and desperate she is because of the hard times she’s going through, they still know she’s sad at times.
Source: YouTube/ Inside Edition
In order to change things for his mom, her eldest child, son William, who is just 13 years old, did the most incredible thing a kid his age could do.
Knowing just how much his mom needed a car, and after watching YouTube videos of kids surprising their mothers, he decided to do the same. There was this 1999 Chevrolet Metro for sale near him and the price was relatively cheap, so he put his mind to getting it.
Source: YouTube/ Inside Edition
However, saving enough money didn’t go as smooth as planned. William did minor jobs such as mowing people’s lawns and helping neighbors, but he still needed more. Then, all of a sudden he got an idea to sell his Xbox, the one thing he loves the most.
He spends time playing on it and that makes him happy, but seeing his mom happy means more to this loving child.
One day, William took all his money and the Xbox and offered it to the car’s owner, who was hesitant about accepting Williams offer at first. However, once she learned why he needed the car, she was happy to be paid with the console.
Source: YouTube/ Inside Edition
The idea of a 13-year-old buying a car is unbelievable, so imagine how it sounded to Krystal.
“I said ‘Mom, I got you a car‘, and she said ‘….No you didn’t,” William shared.
“I lost it. I bawled so bad. I was just like “There’s no way.” What 13-year old do you know buys their mom a car? I don’t know any,” Krystal said.
Source: YouTube/ Inside Edition
The video of William surprising his mom has been seen over 1.2 million times, and everyone agrees that this boy is very special for stepping in for his mom the way he did.
