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Kind couple reunite homeless man with his family after 20 years apart

“Everyone just stares at me. I’m an educated man, but all they see is a person who doesn’t have a home and doesn’t have anyone to call.”

These were the sad, heartbreaking words Randi Emmans heard as she stepped outside her apartment in Los Angeles to take her dog on a walk. 54-year-old Petro Reid was the man Emmans had just heard talking to himself, and he was in a bad place mentally. 

She called up her boyfriend, John Suazo to jointly hold a conversation with Reid. He was quite surprised at first, because according to him, no one had ever taken interest in him, and he poured out his mind to them. 

For a homeless man, the person they had just held a conversation with was very fluent in expressing himself. 

“He was so impressive,” said Suazo. 

“The whole conversation really touched us.”

From the conversation, they found out that Reid had left his family home in Charleston, S.C., and moved to L.A. in 1999 to live with an aunt. Barely a year later, he found himself going off the rails and homeless due to drug and alcohol addiction. 

He became a popular figure in jail, from where he’d occasionally call home and send letters to his grandmother’s house in Charleston. 

“It was always for petty crimes, usually shoplifting to support my habits, food and things of that nature,” he said. “That cycle continued for years, and whenever I got released, I was right back on the streets.”

For more than two decades, Reid wandered the streets of L.A. in search of his family or some beacon of hope, and for those two decades he didn’t find anything- until Emmans heard him. 

He had lost all hope of living a decent life. He always thought of his family, but the chances of setting eyes on them once again were pretty dim, so he gave up. 

He found Emmans and her boyfriend non-judgmental. They genuinely cared about his situation and that was why he opened up to them. 

“John and Randi saw me as more than what everyone else saw me as — just a homeless person living on the streets,” he said. “They believed in me, despite the situation they found me in.”

After giving him food, water, and other basic human needs, the couple felt they hadn’t done enough to truly take him out of misery and ridicule. Emmans made a post on Facebook, a public plea asking for donations to help cover the costs of a night or two at a hotel, so Reid could get rest up, recuperate, and have decent hot meals. 

Her post received a lot of engagements, and in only 3 days, they were able to raise about $6,500 for Reid. The funds were used to lodge him in a hotel, get him a new mobile phone, and buy him some new clothes. 

Although grateful for all Emmans and Suazo had done, Reid still wanted to find his family. He asked the couple for help and they decided to help him. 

Reid took on the name Franklin Mitchell after an encounter with the police in L.A. He didn’t have his identity card, so the name stood- that was why his family members could never reach him. 

In the search for his family, Reid gave Emmans and Suazo some names he could remember, as well as his grandmother’s address, without knowing if she was still living there or alive at all. 

“Randi and I started plugging away on the Internet, and we were able to find his grandmother’s name associated with the address,” Suazo said. “We called wrong numbers until, finally, we got someone who was his uncle’s ex-wife.” 

This was when all the dominoes started falling in place. 

Reid’s uncle, Pierre Grant was informed by his ex-wife of a certain contact about his nephew and he immediately called the couple to set up a meeting. 

Grant said “For over 20 years, we had been praying and believing that one day we would find him, and the day finally came. This is a miracle.”

He took a flight paid for by Emmans and Suazo to L.A. to link up with his nephew. The amazing couple were also able to pay for a covid-19 test for Reid, Grant, and themselves- all which came back negative. 

The long awaited family reunion came on Friday, August 7. Mia Green, Reid’s cousin was also present for the reunion. It was a touching and soulful moment for Reid as he tightly embraced his cousin and uncle after 20 years of wandering the streets of L.A. 

Now that Reid has finally reunited with his family, he plans to get his life together and back on track. 

“I believe I can help a lot of people that are still in the position that I was in,” said Reid.

He plans to start the next chapter of his education and find himself a stable, paying job.  

Amazing

Rescue Dog Leads Police to Injured Owner, Hailed as a “True Hero”

Renee Yates

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A loyal rescue dog named Gita is being celebrated for saving her elderly owner’s life after leading a police officer to a remote cabin where the man lay injured.

In rural Stevens County, Washington, Gita, a 13-year-old rescue dog, refused to leave her owner’s side after he suffered a serious fall. Police were unaware of the situation until Deputy Wright, on a routine patrol two weeks ago, spotted Gita sitting in the middle of the road with no homes in sight.

The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office shared the remarkable story on their Facebook page, emphasizing the critical role Gita played in the rescue. After attempting to coax the dog into his vehicle with no success, Deputy Wright sensed that something was wrong. He searched the nearby area within a mile radius but found nothing and trusted his instincts to keep following Gita.

“Gita is a 13-year-old rescue and best friend to the man in trouble,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Had it not been for her, the outcome could have been much worse. We owe this rescue to Gita’s loyalty and quick thinking.”

When the dog led the officer down a lesser-known roadway, Wright discovered a small summer cabin. It was there, not far from the cabin, that he found the 84-year-old man on the ground, injured and calling for help. The man had fallen, hurt his leg, and required his regular medication due to other health issues.

While the sheriff’s office hasn’t released further details about the man’s condition, they praised both the deputy and Gita for their actions, concluding their post with: “Thank you, Deputy Wright, for your dedication, and thank you Gita, for being a good girl and a true hero.”

A family member of the elderly man shared her gratitude online, noting that he is her 91-year-old mother’s cousin. “We are so thankful to Deputy Wright and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office. And of course, Gita, for being there when it mattered most.”

The story quickly gained attention, with many applauding both the officer’s instincts and Gita’s heroic behavior.

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Utah Woman Donates Kidney to Man She Met on a Hike

Renee Yates

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In an inspiring turn of events, a Utah County woman donated her kidney to a man she had only recently met on a hike.

Krissy Miller crossed paths with Shiller Joseph while hiking on Y Mountain, near Brigham Young University, in September 2023. During their chance meeting, Miller, a 49-year-old mother of four, learned that Joseph was in desperate need of a kidney. Without hesitation, she offered one of hers. Following medical tests, it was confirmed that they were a compatible match.

The story took an even more heartwarming turn when, after their initial encounter, Miller presented Joseph with what appeared to be a box of rolls. But inside the box was a sign that revealed her incredible gift — she would be his kidney donor.

On Monday, the pair reunited at Intermountain Health in Murray after a successful transplant surgery. Their emotional meeting came after months of preparation and surgery that gave Joseph, 45, a new chance at life.

Joseph, who has lupus, had been on the kidney transplant waiting list for some time. The average wait time for a kidney transplant in the U.S. is three to five years, with more than 90,000 people currently waiting for a life-saving organ. The National Kidney Foundation estimates that around 20 people die each day while waiting for a transplant, underscoring the critical need for organ donors.

Miller’s decision to donate her kidney without hesitation showcases the profound impact one person can make in the face of overwhelming need. This act of kindness not only saved Joseph’s life but also shines a spotlight on the importance of organ donation.

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A Young Hero for Hens

Renee Yates

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Harriet, a 12-year-old from Chart Sutton, Kent, is making a difference in the lives of farm hens. Every Saturday morning, she volunteers with Fresh Start For Hens, a local charity dedicated to finding new homes for commercial egg-laying hens.

These hens, typically 72 weeks old, are often destined for slaughter when their egg production declines. However, Fresh Start For Hens buys them from farms and rehomes them as pets.

At collection points like the one in Aylesford, Harriet helps transfer over 100 hens from farms to their new owners. The charity ensures potential adopters provide suitable living conditions for the hens, requiring photos of coops and runs, along with a minimum donation of £2.75 per bird.

Many of these hens arrive in poor condition, sometimes even bald from stress-induced feather pecking. Harriet explains, “They get quite bored, so they peck each other and rip out their feathers.” Remarkably, after a few weeks in their new homes, most hens regain their feathers.

Harriet’s dedication earned her the BBC Young Reporter award. She hopes her story will inspire more farmers to choose rehoming over slaughter for their hens. As Harriet puts it, “It makes me feel proud that I can do something for these chickens, save their lives and give them to these happy families.”

The charity operates entirely on volunteer efforts. Petrina Thomas, who leads collection mornings, believes they’re all motivated by a simple principle: “the love of hens.”

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Social Media Miracle: Stranger’s Selfless Act Saves Baby’s Life

Renee Yates

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Amazing human kindness helped give a six-month-old girl named Helin Dinlera second chance at life. It’s all thanks to the generosity of a stranger who responded to an urgent online plea. Helin, diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening liver condition called Biliary Atresia, faced a grim prognosis without a liver transplant.

When no family members were found to be suitable donors, Helin’s mother, Anna Shushura, turned to social media in a desperate attempt to find help. Her emotional appeal caught the attention of Letty Fenlon, a 27-year-old show jumper from Yorkshire, who felt compelled to act.

Letty, already registered as an organ donor, underwent extensive testing and was confirmed as a match for Helin. Despite the risks associated with major surgery, Letty’s determination to help prevailed. In May, she underwent a six-hour procedure to donate a portion of her liver to the infant.

The transplant was successful, and now, at nine months old, Helin is thriving. While she still requires regular medical check-ups, her progress has been remarkable. Helin’s family expresses immense gratitude towards Letty, whose selfless act has given their daughter a chance at a normal life.

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Trust and Perseverance: The Remarkable Rescue of Lessie from the Boundary Waters

Shannon Jackson

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A heartwarming tale of survival and rescue has emerged from Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, where a German Shepherd named Lessie was found after being lost for 55 days. This story highlights the importance of trust-building and community effort in reuniting lost pets with their families.

Lessie’s ordeal began when she escaped following a car accident on the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais in late June. The Retrievers, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding missing dogs, immediately mobilized to assist in the search.

After a month of uncertainty, hope was rekindled when Lessie was spotted near Ham Lake, miles from the accident site. A Minneapolis-based volunteer, familiar with the area, stepped up to help. Armed with guidance from The Retrievers and his previous experience, he set up camp to search for Lessie.

The volunteer’s patient approach proved crucial. Using food and a trail camera, he gradually gained Lessie’s trust over several days. His persistence paid off when he finally managed to leash Lessie and lead her to safety, facilitating an emotional reunion with her owners.

Jennifer Cadigan of The Retrievers emphasized the intelligence and resilience of dogs, noting that Lessie likely survived on discarded fish remains from nearby campsites. This remarkable story serves as an inspiring reminder to never lose hope when searching for a lost pet.

The successful rescue of Lessie after nearly two months in the wilderness underscores the effectiveness of combining community involvement, expert guidance, and unwavering determination in resolving missing pet cases.

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