Our veterans should be the most respected citizens and we should never miss a chance to thank them for their service and their sacrifice. That is why stories like that of Raymond Duncan, a veteran who turned 100 years old a few days ago, brings smile on my face and makes me extremely happy.
The birthday of Staff Sgt. Duncan from Oklahoma was celebrated by the whole community and a great number of people who gathered to wish him all the best.
Koco News
Duncan was a member of the 487th Bomb Group and led the largest Eighth Air Force mission of the war on December 24, 1944, which involved more than 2,000 bombers on airfields and communication sites in western Germany.
Speaking to the ABC News station Koko, Duncan spoke of that mission and said a day doesn’t pass by without him thinking of that day when his life and that of the fellow soldiers was spared after a bomb went off over their base a second too late.
“I was in World War II. My airplane led the largest air raid during World War II over Germany, Dec. 24, 1944,” the veteran said. “And I’ve been honored by three presidents for that service.”
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“When I came back and worked at Tinker Air Force Base for 27 years, I hear one of those engines fire and chills ran through me.”
Sadly, 235 group members didn’t make it back home and gave their life for the country. Their deed should never be forgotten. Duncan said how the soldiers didn’t really try to make friends while deployed because they never knew “who was coming back and who wasn’t.”
Duncan received many awards for his bravery, among which a Presidential Unit Citation and Good Conduct Ribbon.
Thank you Mr. Duncan for everything you’ve done for America. We wish you a very happy birthday and many more to come.
Of all the friends a human can ever have, dogs definitely are the most precious. These animals aren’t just friendly and loyal, but very intelligent too. They will always stay by your side and be your best companion during your best and worst days.
Well, the only time they won’t listen is when you are eating and not sharing your food with them. Those who own dogs are pretty well aware that eating around them without offering a bite or two is practically impossible, because even if you don’t do that, they will come and get what’s “theirs.”
The man from the video below is trying to enjoy his sandwich, but his Great Dane is sitting right in front of him and looking straight into his eyes. Once she realizes she isn’t getting any of the snack, she starts barking, and according to many, the sound resembles a lion’s roaring.
And as if having one gentle giant observing the man’s every chew isn’t enough, the two other dogs want their portion as well. The best thing is, they are only getting a bite after they say I love you.
The video has been seen over 7 million times. Check it out below and see the reason why!
Although the this world changes with only a gradual pace, people seem to finally understand that accepting the differences is what makes it a better place to live in.
In the past, fashion industries only featured flawless and good-looking models in magazines and on the runways, but as time passes by, they understand that one doesn’t have to be skinny and tall to be beautiful. As a result, famous fashion brands are now working with everyday people as their models and are embracing the differences.
Just take a look at Ellie Goldstein. This 18-year-old girl with Down Syndrome is one of the most famous Gucci models and not only people from her country of England know of her, but she’s gathering an international attention and thousands of followers on Instagram also.
Ellie was discovered when the company was looking for a model for their new makeup line campaign.
Just a glance at this lovely young lady was enough for Gucci to know she is just the person for them. After being chosen, she was part of the Gucci Beauty and Photo Vogue Festival.
A post shared by Ellie G (@elliejg16_zebedeemodel) on
The agency representing Ellie is the Zebedee Management agency which mainly represents models with special needs. ”Our models are beautiful! No ifs, no buts, no excuses. Talent and beauty don’t care how many legs you have or what condition you were born with,” their website says. The goal of this agency is “to redefine the perfection of beauty, disability and diversity.”
Ellie, who describes herself as “Passionate about drama, modelling & dance. Living life to the full & following my dreams,” has always wanted to be part of the fashion world, but little did she know this dream of hers would one day turn into reality.
Today, she is very successful at what she does and was even featured on the cover of the Glamour magazine in September of this year.
A post shared by Ellie G (@elliejg16_zebedeemodel) on
Her friends and family are extremely proud of Ellie’s success and say she totally deserves it because she worked hard for everything she has achieved so far.
“We’re all incredibly proud of Ellie and all the lovely comments she has had on Gucci’s Instagram,” her mom, Yvonne, told Channel5 News. “She has always loved being in the limelight and in front of the camera, she’s very confident and good at taking direction.”
Ellie is over the moon. “I really enjoyed the modelling and loved wearing the Gucci dress. I’m really proud of the photoshoot and would love to be famous. I’m looking forward to modelling for other brands,” she said.
A post shared by Ellie G (@elliejg16_zebedeemodel) on
Ellie’s story is inspirational and reminds us that we should never spot chasing our dreams. She’s now a role model of many young girls and boys who share her condition and teaches them that nothing is impossible.
Some people are so compassionate that their kind deeds restore our faith in humanity and remind us of how we should all strive to become better people whose kind actions would help the world go round.
Officer Jody Thompson from Oklahoma and his wife were already parents of three when a life-changing incident took place and the family ended up welcoming another family member in their home and in their hearts.
It was in 2015 when this police officer received a call of a case of child abuse. When he arrived at the scene, his heart broke because of the gruesome sight. A young boy was bound by his hands and feet with rope, shoved inside a trash barrel. His condition was so poor that his whole body was covered in bruises. The 8-year-old boy was starved so much that his ribs were showing. He was also forcefully held in the shower for very long time so he was soaked to the bone.
Inside Edition
This was the most severe case of child neglect and abuse this man has ever seen.
Thompson felt so sorry for this boy that he promised to be there for him and never let something like this happen to him ever again. The boy, John, was quickly rushed to the hospital, and during the whole time, Thompson never left his side.
Once the boy recovered from the injuries, his life tuned upside down in an instant. The Thompsons adopted him and surrounded him with all the love and kindness he deserved but never felt until that very moment.
Inside Edition
John Thompson is now an A-straight student and his parents are proud of him and everything he achieved. His new family helped him forget the ordeal he had to go through when he was living with his biological parents.
If you think the Thompsons are kind-hearted people who were there for John when he needed them the most, wait until you see what else they did. John’s biological mother gave birth to a baby daughter while in prison, and his new parents adopted his little sister too. Only 24 hours after she was born, this amazing family started the case to officially make her their daughter.
KFSM Fort Smith reported on the touching story. The interviewer asked Officer Thompson how did he know that he was looking at his future son:
“When I seen him…when I seen him in that house, I knew,” the officer said, tears welling up in his eyes.
Looking at John and officer Thompson, it’s obvious the two love and respect each other endlessly. No one would ever assume John was adopted. He has always been treated equally as the rest of the kids. John said of his father, “he’s [Officer Thompson] is the reason he’s here right now.”
We can never thank this family enough for providing two innocent souls with a loving home. If it wasn’t for officer Thompson and his wife who knows what would have happened to John. We are happy this sweet boy and his little sister got the life they deserve.
Oh, those unusual animal friendships! Have you ever seen anything better and more heartwarming than animals of different kinds hanging around and showing love to one another? I know I haven’t. These scenes aren’t just cute beyond words, but they teach us a lesson of respect that we should all learn and follow.
Nancy is a farm owner from Elk City, Oklahoma, and a huge animal lover. She enjoys being around the sweet creatures, especially the horses. Well, one day, when she went to check them at the horse stable, she came across what might be the sweetest sight ever. One of her horses, Rocky, had a visitor, his feathered friend, Chickaleta.
Now seeing the two hanging together is something common, but what caught Nancy’s attention and what she believed was worth sharing was the resting spot of the chicken.
As it turns out, Chickaleta fell asleep on her friend’s head, and seeing the photo of them made people wonder what animal found it’s comfort with Rocky.
The best part is the ending, when the chicken climbs off the horse’s head and stays next to him. It looks like they are hugging and we are all smiles.
This video is definitely something you don’t want to miss, so make sure you check it out below.
Just a single look at Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish will convince you that you are witnessing one of the best love stories in the world of celebrities. The two met some 27 years ago and are going strong as day one.
However, not many know that the famous musician was married before he came out as gay.
Back in 1984, John, who was openly speaking of being bisexual, got married to Renate Blauel. Speaking of the decision to tie the knot with her, John told Los Angeles Times, as quoted by Entertainment Weekly, “Even though I knew I was gay, I thought this woman was attractive and that being married would cure me of everything wrong in my life…”
During a 1976 interview with Rolling Stone, he said, “I’d rather fall in love with a woman eventually because I think a woman probably lasts much longer than a man.”
Blauel spoke of John too and dubbed him the nicest guy she had ever met.
Sadly, the two called it quits and divorced just four years later, and Blauel kept a low profile and stayed out of the spotlight. But just last year, she caught the attention of the public eye when she filed a lawsuit against John, asking for £3 million in damages after he spoke of their marriage publicly and published intimate details of their relationship in his book Me and the movie Rocketman, thus breached their divorce deal.
According to the legal papers filed at the High Court in London, while the couple was on their honeymoon in France, John told Blauel how their marriage wasn’t working and asked from her to return to London, which lead to her trying to take her own life. She recalled taking an overdose of Valium.
The Academy award-wining musician’s ex wife also claimed she suffered mental brakes after details of her marriage to John emerged.
In his memoir, John spoke of the regret and the guilt he felt for hurting his ex-wife. He even said he hoped the two would remain good friends and that she will meet his children one day. “I wanted her to be part of our lives, and us part of hers, in some way,” he wrote, according to The Independent. “But she didn’t want to and I didn’t push the issue. I have to respect how she feels.”
At the moment, the legal proceedings against Sir Elton John are still underway and we are eagerly waiting for the outcome.
Life was unfair to 11-year-old John Francis Hoague-Rivette. This boy that was once vibrant and ran through life with a smile on his face was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer in May 2019.
His parents and family’s hearts were left broken. What started as mild symptoms and continued with inability to walk, talk, and eat, followed by frequent seizure-like episodes, turned to be grade 3 Glioma tumor on the brain stem.
After the numerous surgeries he had to go through, the doctors at the Albany Medical Center offered John Francis’ parents two choices; either let him stay at the hospital, or take him home and make him comfortable. They chose the latter.
Now, the smile on the boy’s face is mostly present when he receives coins, pins, and patches from the members of the police.
One day, John Francis’ teacher asked the local police department to pay the boy a visit and make his day as she knew how much he wanted to be a police officer one day. After the members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office stopped by his house and gave him the title of an honorary captain, John Francis’ family asked from other officers to send their son pitches and prayers.
Getting them cheers him up more than anything else.
“He grew up knowing that police, firemen, EMTs and military members were a part of something bigger than themselves,” Carrie Rivette, John’s mom, told Fox News. “He respects them and admired them.”
John Francis is familiar with the job of these people and love what they do for the society as many members of his family were part of the law enforcement.
This afternoon, the APD & many from police agencies across the Capital Region met at @AlbanyMed to show their support for John Hoague-Rivette, an 11 y/o boy with brain cancer. John is passionate about law enforcement and we made sure he and his family know they’re not alone. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sU1i8EosNA
The number of pins and patches is getting bigger by each passing day. Not only police officers from the town show their support by sending one, but officers from all over the country too.
“He loves the history and story behind each coin and pin because they are all so unique to the unit or entity that designed them,” his aunt, Sarah Slay, wrote on the family’s GoFundMe. “He’s had them on display during each of his hospital stays and now they decorate his living room as he lays in his hospice bed.”
In the meantime, John Francis is doing everything in his power to live his life the best he can.
“He is still fighting and being super strong,” Carrie said.
Police officers showed once again why they have our trust and utmost respect. They are going an extra mile for the sake of the smile on this boy’s face.
If you are a police officer yourself, or you know someone who would like to contribute to John Francis’ happiness during his tough days, show them this story and let them know they can send their patch on the address below:
Captain John Francis Hoague-Rivette PO Box 6 Whitehall, NY 12887
Keep fighting little warrior, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Domestic violence happens way more often than any of us can imagine. According to statistics, 1 in 4 women are likely to experience abuse by their intimate partner during their lifetime, and this is a devastating fact. Men are also victims of domestic violence.
The sad reality is that the abuse which takes place behind closed doors can easily escalate and result in killing.
Ashley M. Garcia was a mother of one, with her second baby on the way, when she suffered from the hands of her partner, 23-year-old Alexis Armando Rojas-Mendez. Neighbors saw the couple arguing at the parking lot and witnessed Rojas-Mendez forcefully pushing Ashley and her son into his Jeep on September 18. The following day, the mom was found dead in her apartment in block 5500 of De Soto Street, Houston.
Ashley Garcia was 27 YO, and family says she was 7 weeks pregnant when she was killed. Police said her 8 YO son found her dead.
Her son had no idea his mother was killed and went to her bedroom to sleep next to her. After Rojas-Mendez couldn’t stop the 8-year-old from going to his mom, he asked him not to wake her up, saying she was sound asleep. The poor boy listened to the killer and just slept in his dead mother’s arms. The following morning, he tried waking her up, but she didn’t respond. The scared boy alerted the neighbors who called the police.
Ashley was severely bitten and suffered brain trauma after Rojas-Mendez hit her on the head with his steel-toe work boots, according to People. The boy witnessed the horrific incident.
💔 RIP, Ashley Garcia 💔 | This young mother was pregnant when police said her 23-year-old boyfriend, Alexis Armando Rojas-Mendez, beat her to death with steel-toe boots in front of her 8-year-old son.
The family organized an intimate funeral and one of Ashley’s sisters said, “I have so many mixed emotions. I am sad, I am angry, I just want justice for her, that’s all I want, I want her to be at peace,” according to 2ClickHouston.
After leaving the place, the killer called his sisters and asked for money because as he told them, he had to take care of certain “out of town job.” The sisters, who spoke to People, said they could feel from his voice that he was in trouble and refused to help him.
🙏 Keep Ashley Garcia’s family in your thoughts and prayers 🙏 Garcia leaves behind her 8-year-old son who police said may have seen his mother being beaten to death by her boyfriend with steel-toe boots. Alexis Armando Rojas-Mendez has not been arrested. https://t.co/YgHpoFH3y3
Rojas-Mendez is charged with murder and is on the run. The police is urging anyone who has any information that could help lead to his arrest to come forward and contact the HPD Homicide Division at (713) 308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.
There are lots of people who just can’t wait for their online orders to appear on their doorstep. And then, after all the waiting, the package somehow ends up in the hands of thieves. No one really wants to experience this, but the fact is that it happens more often that you can imagine.
Now, if you think you can’t do anything to prevent these criminals from stealing your packages, just wait to see the revenge YouTube prankster Tom Mabe prepared for one of them. If you’ve ever heard of the saying “revenge is sweet” let us tell you that this one includes some dog poop.
Tom created a “bait box” that he filled with feces, and all he had to do was wait for the thief to take a notice of the box placed in front of his place.
When they saw someone driving back and forth the place in a suspicious manner, Tom and his crew knew some good laughing was just around the corner, or better said 40 seconds after the man in white touched the box. That’s how long it took for the package to explode.
This should teach him a lesson, don’t you think so?
We admire celebrity people, and often times, we wish we were in their place and be loved by the whole world. The truth is, being under the spotlight at all times is not that easy. Many people who are part of the entertainment industry struggle to cope with their fame and fortune and wrack their career instead of getting the most out of their celebrity status.
Actress Lauren Tewes experienced the pressure of being part of Hollywood herself.
After landing some minor roles in movies, Lauren had her breakthrough with the role ofcruise director Julie McCoy in the series The Love Boat which aired for nine seasons, from 1976 until 1987.
Youtube/puntadeleste
Having been featured in a TV commercial for Lipton ice Tea, Lauren’s beauty caught the eye and the attention of many. Besides that, she got the opportunity to join the Actors Guild and could register with an agent. Lauren simply knew her place belonged in front of the camera, and getting the role of McCoy only confirmed what everyone knew, that this beautiful young lady would become America’s sweetheart.
Speaking of the time she auditioned for the role that changed her life, Lauren said there were over 100 actresses who wanted the job, but she ended up getting it.
She recalled the first day of shooting and how she worked as as a Sunset Strip waitress and told Entertainment Weekly, “I had to borrow money to get a new tire, because my ’62 Volkswagen Bug was not going to get to San Pedro. That first day, standing there in the little outfit, and I had to say, ‘Hi, welcome aboard, I’m Julie McCoy, your cruise director’ a gazillion times. But I kept screwing it up and saying, ‘Hi, welcome aboard, I’m Julie MacLeod…’ because I was talking to Gavin MacLeod and I was so excited.”
MacLeod, who played the role of the ship’s captain Merrill Stubing, got back to those days and said, “I tested with 11, 12 actresses that could’ve played Julie. It wasn’t what they wanted. They wanted a girl who exemplified today.”
Youtube/CBS
Lauren made a name for herself and was considered one of the greatest actresses of the time. She got to visit beautiful places and be around some of the most famous actors.
Many of the scenes were shot on the cruise ships The Pacific Princess and Island Princess. The passengers played extras and the cruises doubled the ticket sales as everyone wanted to be part of the famous series and meet the cast.
Youtube/MeTV
Unfortunately, after few years on the show, Lauren started struggling with substance addiction and was let go of the series in 1984. According to her, until the show ended she was clean and overcame her issues.
A few years ago, she spoke of this chapter of her life on The Oprah Winfrey Network. ”I felt guilty, I felt shamed and humiliation and disgusted and disappointment, I knew that I had gotten myself into a situation I couldn’t get out of by myself,” she said. “I secretly begged and begged and begged for someone to help me. For me it was an issue with cocaine in the 1970’s and early 1980’s when it was a popular drug but if you ask anybody, I was the only one doing it in all of Hollywood. It was just me and nobody wanted to help me.”
Youtube/MeTV
After that, she continued her career in front of the camera and returned for a guest role on The Love Boat. In 1979 she appeared in Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders with Jane Seymour and two years later she starred in Eyes of aStranger. In 2007, she acted as Karen Noone in “Prayer for My Enemy,” a play by Craig Lucas.
Lauren was married three times. She met her third husband, Robert Nadir, in 1993 while performing in an Arizona Theater Company play. They tied the knot in 1996, but in 2002, he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ASL) and passed away in their home in Seattle at the age of 46.
Youtube/OWN
This wasn’t the first time for Lauren to lose someone she loved. In 1987, she lost her 1-month-old daughter who was born prematurely.
Now, Lauren is 66 years old and is still acting every now and then. In 2017, she appeared in an episode of Twin Peaks and now works as a cheese steward and a sous chef following her completion of culinary arts studies.
A shocking video from May 2019, recently featured in the documentary Critical Incident, shows then 28-year-old man named Justin Jackson dousing police officers in petrol after they try to arrest him. The incident, which was caught on tape from a police helicopter took place in Basildon, Essex.
The chase after Jackson started after he was spotted driving dangerously. Eight miles later, he was about to be arrested when he reached for a can filled with liquid. The officers were unaware of what was inside and were attacked with petrol moments later, according to Daily Mail.
Andrew Bird, one of the eight officers present at the scene, recalled the attack and said, “As I was trying to control a gentleman who had run out of the middle of nowhere this other chap has appeared with a watering can.”
PC Matthew Cutts realized what was going on and tried fighting the attacker. “I could smell petrol so I sort of fumbled around to get my baton out but once I’ve got it out I’ve put it behind my head and just struck him in line with my training,” he said. “It’s not a random act of violence, it’s a controlled measure that we are taught to use to get people away from us.”
Terrifying moment baying crowd doused police officers in petrol before shouting ‘light them up’ This is how police are treated regularly in the #UK and #USA and the #Liberal media seem to think it’s#Why because the police are majority White males.. #London#NewYork
As the officers were covered in petrol and panicking, they could hear the crowd gathered around them shouting, “who’s got matches, who’s got a lighter, let’s set them on fire, let’s light them up.”
As reported by Daily Mail, Chief Inspector Jonathan Baldwin said, “I don’t know how we didn’t just cut and run but then that’s not the way we’re wired – we all stuck together. There’s something running in the core of us that says you don’t run away from the danger, you run towards it. One match, one lighter, one spark could result in us going up in flames and being disfigured for life or possibly even dead.”
Luckily, a team of 90 officers were on their way to rescue their fellow colleagues and arrest the attacker. Jackson pleaded guilty after he appeared at the Basildon Crown Court and was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.
The cops affected believed he deserved what he got and remembered thinking they wouldn’t get alive.
“At the time of the incident while being covered with petrol I remember thinking ‘we could all go up in flames here like Roman candles,'” CI Baldwin recalled. “It was one of those days I realized I might not have got home at all. This was in my view a calculated attack carried out without regard for the lives of police officers, their loved ones, and others who were nearby at the time.”
We are glad the cops didn’t get injured. You can take a look at the chilling incident in the video below.
Being a bunny in the Playboy Mansion and experiencing the world of glamour was the dream of many attractive women from all over the country and beyond. But as it turns out, what was happening behind closed doors wasn’t even close to what the world got to see and how the life with womaniser Hugh Hefner was portrayed.
For many of the live-in girlfriends, the life inside the estate in Holmby Hills, California, was far from a fairy tale.
Over the years, many of Hefner’s girls opened up about the life with him and spoke of the sex rituals and the humiliations and emotional abuse they experienced.
Many said the place was always filled with dog poops and the mattresses were old and worn, so no matter how much they tried making their rooms feel homey, they failed. They made a bunch of heartbreaking confessions during interviews and by writing what they had to go through in their books.
In her book Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, Holly Madison writes, “Maybe it was the pot and the alcohol, but drowning myself seemed like the logical way to escape the ridiculous life I was leading.”
Sleeping with the multimillion-dollar enterprise owner was nothing special.
“There was zero intimacy involved. No kissing, nothing. It was so brief that I can’t even recall what it felt like beyond having a heavy body on top of mine,” Madison said speaking to Mirror. In fact, most of the bunnies simply saw it as part of their job.
Kendra Wilkinson wrote of the sex rituals with Hefner in her book Sliding Into Home. “At about the minute mark, I pulled away and it was done. It was like a job. Clock in, clock out. It’s not like I enjoyed having sex with him,” adding how she couldn’t do it sober, so she smoked weed or had to be very drunk to go through those nights.
From what they had to say of the Playboy founder, he never really cared for their well-being. In the book Jill Ann: Upstairs, Jill Ann Spaulding confessed, “No protection and no testing. He doesn’t care.”
Those living in the mansion were given $1,000 allowance each Friday and they describe this experience as humiliating as they were often being told off and commented on their looks before getting the money. Missing any of the parties could easily mean missing the allowance, according to the book Bunny Tales: Behind Closed Doors at the Playboy Mansion.
The life of the beautiful and attractive blondes was far from perfect, as everyone believed.
“Everyone thinks that the infamous metal gate was meant to keep people out. But I grew to feel it was meant to lock me in,” stated Madison, according to Mirror.
Hefner died in 2017. “Hugh M. Hefner, the American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Playboy magazine and built the company into one of the most recognizable American global brands in history, peacefully passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones,” Playboy Enterprises confirmed in a statement. “He was 91 years old.”
I feel like no words can ever describe how thankful I am to the members of the military for putting their lives on the line for the sake of ordinary people like you and I. What’s most, I am sure every citizen feels the same, and that is why soldiers always get the praise they deserve and are considered one of the most valuable members of the society.
One of these brave men was Jonathan Turner. He served in the military for 17 years and made seven tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. Sadly, he passed away as a result of combat-related issues at the age of 41. Getting used to the life back home was hard for Turner. Even harder than fighting on the battlefield.
After his passing, the Marine Corps organized a service to honor him, but his family from Georgia, Turner’s hometown, couldn’t afford a trip to California. As a result, they agreed that the best thing to do is transfer his remains back home by mailing them.
That is when the Patriot Guard Riders stepped in. They believed that the least they could do for someone like Turner who risked it all for this country was to bring him to the place where he deserved to rest. So, around 100 bikers gathered together and brought the ashed to the family instead of allowing them to be simply shipped.
Many people were overwhelmed and thankful by this incredible act. They commented how they love America for respecting the soldiers and their sacrifice.
“A wonderful and fitting tribute to a Marine who served his country so well and now the Patriot Guard Riders do his family proud as they escort his remains home!” someone wrote. “That’s pretty cool guys, his family will be telling your story for generations!” another added.
You can take a look at the video of the Patriot Guard Riders below. It truly tugs at our heartstrings.
Some people’s cruelty knows no boundaries. Sadly, their actions make us lose our faith in humanity and even believe that all people are the same. Well, until someone like sweet Leonardo, a boy from Betim, Brazil, comes along the way and proves us wrong.
It was during the hot summer days when Leonard heard dog’s barking coming from nearby. He was convinced he was hearing the canine his neighbors adopted recently, but as the crying didn’t stop for a couple of days, he decided to explore around.
Paws 4 Hope/Youtube
Once in the woods, at a vacant spot, Leonardo noticed a fragile creature tied to a tree.
The poor dog didn’t have any hair and his bones were visible through his skin. Leonardo was shocked. He couldn’t believe someone could do something like that to a helpless animal.
The dog, named Bob, was taken to the nearest vet’s office where he was given pain medications, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. His condition was even more severe than Leonardo and the doctors believed initially. Bob was dehydrated, starved, and his skin had living maggots inside.
Paws 4 Hope/Youtube
Despite his awful state, sweet Bob found strength to wag his tail and thank all those people who were doing all they could to help him stay alive.
As time passed by, it looked like Bob was feeling much better and it gave everyone hope that he could recover completely. He loved being around humans and enjoyed his days, but then, something awful happened. The sweet dog suffered from respiratory failure and passed away. His loss touched everyone who wanted to give him a second chance for a better life.
Paws 4 Hope/Youtube
However, Bob died knowing he was loved. Leonardo and the rest of the rescuers restored his faith in humans.
Below is the whole story. Don’t forget to share it with your friends.
A few years back, Deyonte Hunter, a Camden musician and tattoo artist who enjoys popularity on Instagram, shared a photo of two incredibly cute twins, and that’s how the whole world learned of the “Trueblue Twins” Megan and Morgan.
If you wonder what is so special about these two twins who are now child fashion models in the making, just take a look at their appearance and you’ll understand why they are dubbed the cutest twins ever. Being African-American and having enchantingly bright blue eyes makes M&M an internet sensation.
In fact, Megan has two blue eyes, while Morgan has one blue eye and one dark brown eye!
The different eye color is due to a condition known as heterochromia. The good thing is that it doesn’t affect Morgan in any way, just makes her special. Doctors examined her and said her vision is perfectly fine. The girls inherited the bright blue eye color from their mom and their grandpa, as well as their uncle who shares Morgan’s condition.
According to their mom, who dresses them in matching clothes, she knew her girls would be special the moment she welcomed them into the world on June 6, 2011. She always makes sure they are perfectly dressed and posts photos of them on the social media. Today, they have contracts with different brands and dress like the kids of A-list celebrities, with the difference that they don’t have personal stylists but mom takes care of everything instead.
They were part of a fashion show in Jacksonville, NC and have been scouted by celebrities like Yandy Smith, the ‘Love and Hip Hop’ reality star, Ray Ray, the band member of Mindless Behavior and Wendy Williams.
However, the family is taking things slowly, and for now, the girls are only getting free clothes from famous brands, and don’t get paid as their mom doesn’t want to push her girls into something they may not want to do. But in case they do decide to pursue professional careers as models, they will be very successful as the whole world loves them and is enchanted by their beauty.
The Trueblue Twins’ dad, Lovell Knight, says he sometimes gets scared of all the attention his girls are getting and isn’t that crazy about their ‘celebrity’ status. He is aware that their popularity can affect their lives as he believes the kids should have a normal childhood.
Despite sharing their popularity together, Megan and Morgan are completely different in character, and that makes them unique in every sense of the word.
Every parent’s wish is for their children to be happy and healthy, and losing a child is the hardest thing ever. Unfortunately, Paul and Meagan Sobolik from Iowa saw their 22-month-old daughter leaving this world and saying the final goodbye and they were stricken with sadness and grief.
Their baby was perfectly healthy, and now, all of a sudden, little Coralynn “Cora” Eve Sobolik was declared brain dead.
In those times of sorrow, her parents decided to donate her organs so other people’s lives could be saved.
A video of Cora’s family members and hospital staff paying tribute to her was shared by her mother and it’s the most touching thing ever.
“You get to save three people,” the mother whispered to her tiny daughter. “I love you forever.”
Sweet Cora started feeling ill on April 19. Her aunt Melissa who set a GoFoundMe page for her niece wrote that Cora experienced troubles breathing.
That’s when her parents rushed her to Cresco Medical in Iowa. The doctors who admitted her believed it would be for the best if the girl is further treated at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Sadly, the girl’s heart stopped during the procedure of her sedation and intubation.
The doctors managed to make her heart pump again, after which she was transferred to Rochester.
There, the parents learned the devastating news. Cora suffered brain damage and at that point doctors couldn’t tell for sure whether the condition would improve.
During her first night at the hospital, Cora’s situation turned for the worse.
“In the middle of the night, Cora’s brain started to swell, and they did an emergency CAT scan,” Brevig wrote. “This test came back with the worst news ever. There was no coming back.”
The sweet soul was pronounced dead on Easter Sunday, April 21.
“When we knew that she wasn’t ever going to wake and that she was gone mentally, we knew that she would want her organs to help people in need,” Meagan Sobolik told People.
The video Meagan took warmed the hearts of all those people who got to see the little superhero going into surgery that would save people in desperate need of organs.
“I was speechless, and it was truly wonderful to see and feel so much love and support for our little girl,” Sobolik told People.
Her parents hope their daughter’s story would inspire others to register as organ donors.
“Even though Coralynn was so young, she made a huge impact on the world,” her obituary read.
“Coralynn was able to donate her heart and save a 1 year old little boy, her liver saved a 1 year old little girl, and her kidneys went to help a 41 year old lady.”
“When your child donates their organs, they live on in someone else [and] they are saving people that otherwise [might] not be saved without your child’s gifts,” Sobolik told People.
“Our daughter was absolutely the world to us. She was such a happy little girl and always laughing — her laugh was infectious.”
“Cora is our little superhero, and I believe is becoming an inspiration for millions of people and also helping to raise awareness for organ donation all over the world.”
Rest in peace sweet Cora. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family!
Johnny Crawford, who played the role of Mark McCain opposite Chuck Connors in the legendary American Western TV series “The Rifleman,” gained huge popularity from very early age. When he was just 5 years old, Johnny had his debut on stage and he even played one of the original Mouseketeers in “The Mickey Mouse Club” at the age of 9.
Everyone around him knew he would become a star as his acting talent was undeniable. It was his role in “The Rifleman,” however, what made him a teen idol young fans from all across America loved dearly. The series aired from 1958 to 1963 and was among the first ever to depict the life of a single father raising his child on his own. It offered lessons in morality and strong ethics, one of the reasons why fans loved it so much.
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Speaking of his role in the series, Johnny told Boomer magazine, “We loved doing it. The scripts were wonderful. As a result, even as a kid, I felt we were doing something special.” He was nominated for an Emmy Award as Best Supporting Actor at the age of 13.
Johnny was part of other movies and series in the years that followed and recorded three music albums. Many of his songs were top ten hits, including “Cindy’s Birthday” and “Rumors,” and he became a music sensation.
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In 2019, at the age of 73, the cowboy climbed back in the saddle for the Western movie Bill Tilghman and the Outlaws.
Sadly, earlier this year, the actor and musician was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and was moved to a California based living facility in which his wife Charlotte works.
His friend and actor Paul Peterson spoke of Johnny’s health and the family’s struggles to cover the medical bills for his treatments. In hopes of helping them, he started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Johnny’s care.
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“Alzheimer’s is a debilitating disease … you can tell he wants to talk but the words aren’t there,” Petersen told Boomer Magazine. “But he’s always got a smile on his face.”
Fans donated over $80,000 and wrote how much their appreciated Johnny’s work over the years. One person wrote, “Always loved The Rifleman for showing that you can do the right thing and still be cool. Even though this show was before my time, once I saw my first show in the 80s as a kid I was hooked. Much love to you Johnny – you were always a class act.”
Take a look at the video below that honors Johnny’s work and asks from people to help.
Pit Bulls were considered nanny dogs back in the day because of their protective nature and their gentle hearts and personalities. Over the years, however, humans started using them as fight dogs and the breed was labeled aggressive, thus many believe that they are not suitable to be kept at home or around children.
But you know what they say, as much as the way children behave speaks of their parents, dogs’ behavior speaks of their owners. This is very true because dogs are highly intelligent creatures and easy to train, so if you show them love, they will give you love in return. Just take a look at the Pit Bull named Bentley from the video below. He is really huge compared to the new addition to the family, tiny pup named Yeti. Bentley takes awesome care of his baby brother and keeps him safe at all times. He may look rough, but he truly is a gentle giant who loves everyone around.
YouTube
Animal lovers who have stumbled upon the cute video agree it’s too sweet for words. One person wrote, “So cute I nearly died of cuteness I loved when the puppy licked the dogs paw so adorable!!”
Yeti is one lucky pup, because who wouldn’t want to have someone by their side as loving and as caring as Bentley?
Take a look at them spending time together in the video below.
Phil and Alyson Irwin, already parents of daughter Kennedy, were overjoyed to welcome their twin babies into the world and make their family complete, despite the fears of the uncertainty of how things would turn for the bundles of joy who were conjoined and shared a liver.
Sarabeth and Amelia were born on June 11, 2019. Despite being conjoined, the fact that they had separate digestive tracts and separate pairs of arms and legs gave doctors hopes that the sisters could be separated in the months to come.
“They [the doctors] were able to tell that the hearts were very, very close, but they were separate. That was the deciding factor for a lot of people. That they had separate hearts, it was a possibility,” the mother said.
Source: GoFundMe
The separation surgery was initially scheduled for February 2020, but the girls fell ill at the time and it was postponed for later. However, because of the coronavirus pandemic, doctors couldn’t perform the so much-expected operation until August 2020. Speaking of the waiting period, dad Phil said, “We had a lot of really good family time together. We got to watch the girls grow and get so strong and so healthy that it made me feel really, really good leading up to the second scheduling of their surgery.”
Source: GoFundMe
The parents couldn’t wait to hold their girls separately and see them sleep in separate beds.
The doctors at the Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital made the Irwin’s family wish come true. A team of more than two dozen doctors, nurses and other specialists who spent months preparing for the complex procedure successfully separated the one-year-old sisters.
“For everyone in the room, it was a very emotional and extraordinary moment when the last incision was made to separate these girls from one to two,” George Mychaliska, M.D., pediatric and fetal surgeon at Mott told Michigan Health.
“This was a monumental team effort that involved virtually every clinical department here and a group that was incredibly committed to collaborating in the most innovative way.”
Dr. Marcie Treadwell, director of Michigan Medicine’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center explained that just 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 250,000 pregnancies involve conjoined twins which makes these pregnancies rare. But what is ever rarer is the survival delivery and the survival rate. Thankfully, sweet Sarabeth and Amelia beat the odds and are now happy and healthy.
The parents say that those who don’t know the girls’ story have a hard time believing that they were once conjoined.
After the successful operation, Sarabeth and Amelia are thriving and let their characters, which are totally different from one another, shine.
“Amelia is a little bit of a princess or a diva,” Phil said. “She wears all of her emotions right on her sleeve. There’s no hiding how Amelia feels… Now that they’re separate, it’s so funny to see Sarabeth’s quirky personality…just physically, emotionally and mentally, how goofy that little girl really is.”
The family can’t be happier. Speaking to Detroit Free Press, Phil said, “This has been a giant experiment in the power of positive and the power of prayer. You know? … Positive news, people need that. People live on that.”
For the whole story of these cute baby girls and their life journey check the video below.
Young people are often criticized by the society for being careless. However, many youngsters are doing all in their power to fight against this belief and tend to show the world that despite their age, they can be valuable part of the place where they live.
A group of students from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School are doing something truly incredible for those who sacrificed their lives for the well-being of the country, the veterans who put their personal desires and dreams on hold in order to be part of the military and keep America safe.
The sad thing about many of these brave people is that they have a hard time getting used to the life back home after their service is over. Some suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and others struggle to find a normal job and even end up homeless.
When they pass away, many have no one to even carry their caskets or organize their funerals. That’s when the Detroit students come into the picture. These incredibly caring young people serve as pallbearers at funeral services for the homeless under a service project at their school.
That is a truly nice way to pay the real-life heroes the tribute they deserve for everything they did for the country.
Take a look at the whole story in the video below and share it with your family and friends because these young men deserve all the praise.
Who doesn’t remember dear Aunt Bee who was well known for her incredible cooking skills and delicious home-made meals everyone in the fictional town of Mayberry loved? Portrayed by incredible actress Frances Bavier, Aunt Bee, the aunt of sheriff Andy Taylor played by Andy Griffith became a symbol of home and security, and the show, The Andy Griffith Show, promoted the strict, moral code of the 1950s and 1960s.
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Contrary to the character she played in the famous series, Bavier was described by her colleagues as somewhat rude and as someone who didn’t like the language used behind the scenes and the jokes made by the rest of the acting crew. Some even say that she hated the role of the famous aunt which earned her an Emmy Award because it lead for her to lose her identity and made her feel like she was trapped in the character.
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In an interview with Bill Ballard, Baviar was reported saying, “It is very difficult for an actress … to create a role and to be so identified that you as a person no longer exist and all the recognition you get is for a part that is created on the screen.”
Despite this, she also confessed that she was flattered when people recognized her from the show.
Back in 1961, she told The Charlotte News, “Whenever I feel lonely out here, I just go out shopping in a supermarket. Somebody will always look at me, smile and say, ‘Why hello, you’re Aunt Bee.”
“[She] was a rather remote lady. Highly professional and a fine comedienne, fine actress with very individual character. She was rather self-contained and was not part of the general hi-jinks that centered upon Andy on the set,” producer Sheldon Leonard said in The Andy Griffith Show Book.
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Bavier didn’t always know that she wanted to become an actress.
In fact, she dreamed of becoming a teacher one day so she enrolled at the Columbia University. However, not long after that, she realized that she was very bad there and that teaching wasn’t her calling. Instead, she enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, according to The Charlotte News. She graduated in 1925 and was part of the Broadway production of ”On Borrowed Time.” Bavier had her television debut after the war was over in the crime drama series “Racket Squad” which aired in 1952.
She didn’t speak of her private life a lot but there were speculations that she was married from 1928 to 1933 to a military man named Russel Carpenter.
Although no one can confirm this to be true, according to CloserWeekly, Bavier did speak of her marriage in a 1964 interview with the Star-Gazette of Elmira, New York. “I married a man who was charming in every way, except that, being non-professional, he had little patience with my dedication to acting. I wanted to be both wife and actress, but learned quickly that this is impossible, at least in my specific case. To paraphrase Shakespeare, it was not that I loved him less, but I loved acting more. I know that many psychologists, particularly women psychologists, hold that a woman can have both a home and a career. But that is generally not the husband’s point of view and I sympathize entirely with the man who wants his wife to be completely devoted to him and their children,” she was reported to had said.
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Bravier, who was born in Manhattan, New York, in 1902, found it a bit hard to settle down in the small and quiet town of Siler City, North Carolina. She believed her neighbors described her as “a 70-year-old lady that probably wants to be alone and they’re having a problem with trying to be friendly and show their friendliness, and at the same time not intrude. That makes it very difficult for them. Living here has been a difficult adjustment for me. I have a great deal to learn from Siler City and North Carolina. It’s an entirely different and new way of life.”
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Bravier passed away in 1989, just eight days before her 87th birthday. Four months before her death, she called Andy Griffith and “apologized for being difficult on the set of the show,” the actor said in an interview with Larry King Live in 1998.
Barvier left her money to the local police community and her estate was donated to a hospital foundation and that speaks of her heart of gold.
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She will always be remembered as someone who made our days fun with her impressive acting skills and the iconic role of Aunt Bee.
The mission under which “Operation Not Forgotten” and “Operation Safety Net”took place, during which U.S. Marshals rescued 40 and 25 children respectively, already or potential victims of sex trafficking, in Georgia and Ohio, continued with “Operation Triple Beam” in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Like the first two, this operation was a huge success as 262 suspects have been arrested and five children have been rescued.
Johnny Kuhlman, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Oklahoma, said: “Operation Triple Beam OKC was a targeted enforcement initiative by the Marshals and their partners to address violent crime in and around Oklahoma City.
“Our primary goal with operations like OTB is to make communities safer. When we arrest these violent fugitives, we are also removing guns and narcotics from our streets. We believe these efforts have an immediate, positive impact on the communities we serve.”
141 of the suspects were confirmed gang members.
Similar operations are currently undergoing in other cities and countries across the state as brave U.S. Marshals fight against the crime and save innocent children, victims of sex trafficking, from the hands of the gangs and the criminals.
Speaking of the last month’s operation, the U.S. Marshals Service said in a statement, “When we track down fugitives, it’s a good feeling to know that we’re putting the bad guy behind bars. But that sense of accomplishment is nothing compared to finding a missing child.”
A 60-day U.S. Marshals operation to reduce violent gang crime in Oklahoma City resulted in 262 arrests – including six people wanted for homicide – and the rescue of five missing children: https://t.co/leNPRZxUGG
“It’s hard to put into words what we feel when we rescue a missing child, but I can tell you that this operation has impacted every single one of us out here. We are working to protect them and get them the help they need.”
The U.S. Marshals are working around the clock and we are very thankful for everything they do for all those missing children who live in fear for their life and safety every single day. These brave people and their successful missions are a ray of sunshine for the American citizens during these hard days for the entire world.
The El Dorado fire that erupted on 5th of September near Oak Glen and west Yucaipa in San Bernardino County during a gender reveal party has burned 22,500 acres in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. As of Monday, around 60% had been contained, but it still threatens thousands of homes and many areas are under evacuation orders.
The video of the gender reveal party revealed the cause was a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device. The people organizing the party have been identified and are reported to be cooperating with the fire investigators. If a case is opened, the person who ignited the pyrotechnic would be the person charged, according to CalFire investigator Capt. Bennet Milloy.
A firefighter has been killed in California’s El Dorado Fire, which has scorched more than 19,000 acres since it was sparked by a gender reveal party over Labor Day weekend https://t.co/Tb8lURGEAJ
Sadly, one firefighter lost his life and thirteen were injured. The firefighter has been identified as Charles Morton, 39. He was a Big Bear Interagency Hotshot squad boss who had been with the Forest Service for 14 years.
Morton was respected by many and left behind a wife, daughter, his parents, and two brothers.
“Charlie was a well-respected leader who was always there for his squad and his crew at the toughest times,” Vicki Christiansen, U.S. Forest Service chief, said in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to Charlie’s loved ones, co-workers, friends and the Big Bear Hotshots. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”
Credit / San Bernardino National Forest
“He’s loved and will be missed,” his family said in a statement provided by the Forest Service. “May he rest easy in heaven with his baby boy.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with the funeral expenses. “Charlie was a selfless man and he gave so much to his family, friends, and community,” the page read. “Charlie had big dreams and we would like to continue to fulfill those dreams for him.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Morton family and all the firefighters who are putting their lives on the line.
The life of 16-year-old Neo Hobbs was changed forever after a bully hurt him so badly that he ended up in coma.
Neo was having a hard time coping with the bullying he endured at school and he even told his mother about it, but the school took things lightly and didn’t do anything to prevent the incident.
Sandra, Neo’s mother, recalls how she told Neo to ignore the bully’s harsh words to what her son responded, “I am, mom. The best I can.” He was scared to reveal the bully’s name because he believed it would make things even worse than they already were.
One day, Sandra got a call from Neo’s school and was told how he was injured and taken to hospital. “All I know is, he was hit,” she told Fox 13 News speaking of the day Neo was beaten violently.
Neo experienced severe trauma on the skull and internal bleeding. He had a brain surgery and spent 12 days in coma in the ICU at Primary Children’s Hospital before being moved to the trauma unit. Today, “he has to have a lot of physical therapy. He has to learn how to walk, talk, brush his teeth, and feed himself. He has to learn all that over again,” his devastated mother said.
Source: GoFundMe.com
The family is angry at the school for trying to cover up the incident.
The Elko High School’s district superintendent tries to present the incident as a confrontation between the students. They refuse to admit that Neo was a victim of bullying and say he “just fell from the punch.” However, the impact and the injuries say otherwise. Doctors are convinced Neo was hit with a heavy object. “You send them to school, and you shouldn’t have to worry about your kids going to school. Especially about something like this,” Sandra said.
Representational Image (Source: Getty Images | Photo by SolStock)
Neo’s aunt started a GoFundMe page to help the family with the hospital bills and Neo’s recovery which would take a lot of time and money.
We hope no other kid will ever have to go through what Neo and his family did. Bullying is a serious problem that not many schools take as such.
Currently, authorities are looking into the matter. Hopefully, the boy responsible for Neo’s suffering would be punished for what he did.
