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Owner Finds Stray Dog after 8 Years of Searching

Sophia Hanson let her two large dogs, Laila, and Blake into the yard in 2009. A little later, she went outside to discover that they had vanished. Hanson told The Dodo that she is still unsure if they were stolen since no doors were left open and both disappeared.

After one year of searching, Hanson and her husband saw a post on Craigslist that someone within close proximity to their San Antonio home was selling a pit bull for $500. The dog looked suspiciously like Blake. Naturally, they were pretending like they were going to purchase a dog with money in hand. Hanson noted that when they went to the seller’s house, they confirmed it was him and he was wearing the largest chain they had ever seen.

Sadly, the treatment of Blake caused major issues for him. Blake had to go through an entire rehabilitation process which has made him a giant teddy bear once again. Seeing this type of treatment of Blake made the Hansons fear the treatment of Laila, who was still missing. Hanson continued checking the local shelters for many years.
Thankfully, Laila had a guardian angel looking out for her. In 2018, Janice Rackley spotted Laila alone in a field, severely malnourished; not more than skin-and-bones. By her appearance, it was clear that she had been alone, uncared for and unloved for a long time. Rackley knew she had to take action quickly.

Rackley told The Dodo that the dog needed medical attention and nobody was going to help her get the proper treatment. Rackley further noted that she felt she found the dog for a reason and it was to help her. Laila was entirely dependent on Rackley for assistance.

Each day following, Rackley drove out to the field with heavy jugs of water and dog food. Initially, the dog was so frightened that she would run in the opposite direction as soon as Rackley approached. Eventually, Rackley had earned her trust.

After around six-months, Laila began to come closer and closer until she finally let Rackley pet her. Rackley then thought that maybe she could put a leash on her while eating. However, whenever Laila saw the leash, she would become frightened and run in the other direction.

Finally, as New Year’s Eve approached and the weather became cold, Rackley determined that it was the last chance to rescue the dog so she picked up Laila, tossed her over her shoulder and brought the dog to her car. Surprisingly, Laila was calm and very sweet about the entire situation. For the one-month following, Laila would not leave Rackley’s home.

Once her personality revealed itself, Rackley learned that the dog’s past had many secrets. Laila knew how to sit, shake and lay down indicating that this dog had been well-trained so someone had to be missing her. Rackley brought Laila to animal control to be scanned for a microchip which had all of her information.

Meanwhile, 40-miles away, Hanson and her husband were ending their evening in the home. Just before they turned off their light in bed, they received a call from Rackley and could not believe what they were hearing. Hanson immediately jumped in the car as she could not wait another moment to see Laila. There was an emotional reunion when Laila and Hanson could not believe it was the other.

Hanson noticed that Laila had changed in many ways but Laila still remembered her past life. They previously nicknamed her Scooby Doo because of the sounds she made. When Hanson’s husband yelled out, “Scooby-Doo! Scooby-Doo!” Laila made the same sounds once again. Today, Laila is home with three senior rescue dogs, including Blake and is adjusting to her old life. While she is still wary of her new siblings, she is so happy and grateful to be home with mom and dad.

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Backpacks of Care: Vancouver Volunteers Bring Hope to Homeless Youth

Kelly Taylor

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Volunteers gathered in Vancouver on Saturday morning to help brighten the holidays for homeless youth. The annual Backpacks of Hope initiative, led by Covenant House, provides gifts for 350 young people, ages 16 to 24, who use the non-profit’s residential housing and drop-in programs.

“This is like the community is wrapping the youth with a hug for the holidays,” said Amanda Merler, manager of volunteer services at Covenant House. “Getting these backpacks shows them there are people out looking to support them.”

Giving Back: A Volunteer’s Story

Among the 50 volunteers was Andrew Teel, a 22-year-old who spent part of his childhood in foster care.

“I could have been one of those youths,” Teel said. Born with fetal alcohol syndrome, Teel now works in a restaurant and is part of an adoptive family. “I wanted to help youth who might not have had the opportunity I have now—a family that cares about you and a safe place.”

Teel first volunteered at 13 and continues to return every year with his adoptive family.

Thoughtful Gifts for the Season

Each backpack contains practical and comforting items, including:

  • Warm clothing like socks and toques
  • Toiletries and first aid kits
  • Chocolates for the holidays
  • Journals for reflection

“All of our residents wake up on Christmas morning to find a backpack under the tree with staff all gathered around, just like a traditional family,” Merler said.

Community Collaboration

The initiative relies on support from 35 groups—corporate teams, schools, and individuals—who help bundle and deliver the backpacks.

Covenant House continues to face fundraising challenges, particularly with mail delays impacting donations. To support the initiative, donations can be made at covenanthousebc.org or by calling 604-638-4438.

For Vancouver’s homeless youth, this effort serves as a reminder that they are not alone. The backpacks offer more than supplies—they bring warmth, care, and hope during a difficult time of year.

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Happy Hooves and Quacky Feet Travels Across Whidbey Island

Kevin Wells

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Clementine Lee’s farm animals aren’t staying put—they’re hitting the road, bringing smiles to children all over Whidbey Island. Earlier this year, Lee launched Happy Hooves and Quacky Feet, a mobile petting zoo that features a delightful collection of ducks, sheep, and goats, all ready to make appearances at events.

Among the playful cast of characters are a goose named Dog and a dog named Goose, adding an extra touch of fun to the experience. Lee also introduced goats Willow and Fern to the farm, acquired from another petting zoo on the island. With hopes that her goats and sheep will soon give birth to kids and lambs by spring, Lee is focused on ensuring the animals are friendly and approachable for children.

“The call ducks are small enough for little kids to hold,” Lee explained, referring to the petite breed of ducks that enjoy being cuddled. Even Dog, her goose, is known for his gentle nature and affection.

Having previously worked as a preschool teacher and face-painter, Lee saw a natural progression in creating a mobile petting zoo. She’s already brought her animals to birthday parties and events like the recent Greenbank Farm Harvest Faire.

“My life keeps taking me in new and exciting directions,” she said with enthusiasm.

Next up for Happy Hooves and Quacky Feet is the Fall Festival at Whidbey Grace in Oak Harbor, where the animals will don Halloween costumes—including Dog, the goose, who will be dressed as a mermaid. The event takes place on Sunday, October 20, from 5-7 p.m.

Currently, Lee offers an introductory rate of $200 for two hours with her mobile petting zoo, which includes three sheep, two goats, a goose, and a lively flock of ducks—though she admits it’s hard to keep an exact count. “They’re always moving around,” she said with a laugh.

Caring for the animals is a family effort, with help from her 9-year-old son, Leonidas Mitchell. Ducks were the first animals they acquired while living in northern California, but the family tragically lost their home and animals in one of Santa Rosa’s devastating fires.

Lee’s love for animals deepened after a moving experience at an outdoor farm school where her son attended. There, she encountered an affectionate sheep named Celeste, who offered her comfort after the loss of her home.

“After everything, this sheep just came up and gave me all the love and hugs,” Lee recalled.

To her surprise, Celeste and her two lambs, Clover and Crimson, would one day become part of Lee’s own flock. In 2021, after moving to North Whidbey, Lee’s son’s former teacher offered her the sheep. Lee happily drove 16 hours from California to bring them to Oak Harbor.

Reflecting on the experience, she added, “I never knew I’d love a sheep or a goose. I used to think sheep were afraid of everything, but they can be so affectionate.”

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Golden Duck Promise: 14-Year-Old Skateboarder’s Olympic Triumph Earns Unique Reward

Kelly Taylor

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Australia’s youngest Olympic gold medalist, 14-year-old Arisa Trew, didn’t just secure her place in history at the 2024 Paris Olympics – she also earned herself an unusual prize. The skateboarding prodigy revealed that her parents had promised her a pet duck if she won gold, a reward she’s eagerly anticipating.

Trew’s preference for a duck stems from her family’s frequent travel schedule, which makes traditional pets like dogs or cats impractical. The young athlete expressed her fondness for ducks and her excitement about the prospect of having one as a pet during post-victory interviews.

Her gold medal-winning performance in the women’s park skateboarding event saw her score an impressive 93.18 in her final run, outshining competitors from Japan and Great Britain. Trew’s achievement is particularly remarkable given that this was her Olympic debut.

The teenager’s journey to Olympic glory began with inspiration from the Tokyo 2020 Games, spurring her ambition to reach the podium in Paris. Her success builds upon previous victories at the X Games in 2023 and 2024.

Trew’s parents, Simon and Aiko, were present to witness their daughter’s historic win, expressing amazement and pride at her accomplishment. The young skateboarder’s triumph also drew praise from skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, who commended her performance and the progress of the sport.

As Trew celebrates her victory and looks forward to her unique reward, her story highlights not only her exceptional talent but also the joy and determination that define her approach to the sport. The promise of a pet duck serves as a charming footnote to an extraordinary Olympic achievement.

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Unexpected Global Stardom: Dutch Seal Rescue Webcam Captivates Japanese Audience

Shannon Jackson

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A live stream featuring rescued seals at the Pieterburen centre in the Netherlands has unexpectedly become an international sensation, particularly in Japan. The webcam’s sudden rise to fame began with a social media post that quickly went viral, leading to a significant increase in viewership and donations.

The centre’s staff were taken aback when they noticed a dramatic spike in viewers, with numbers soaring far beyond their usual audience. This surge in popularity has translated into a substantial boost in financial support, with the rescue centre receiving a month’s worth of typical donations in just one day.

The phenomenon has been attributed to a potential cultural connection. Some speculate that the seals’ appearance in the water bears a resemblance to a Japanese symbol of good fortune, which may explain the enthusiastic response from Japanese viewers.

In light of this newfound attention, the Pieterburen team has been actively engaging with their international audience, using translation tools to respond to queries and provide educational information about the seals and their care.

While seals are actually formidable predators in their natural habitat, their appealing appearance often leads people to perceive them as endearing creatures. This dichotomy between their true nature and public perception adds an interesting dimension to their popularity.

This isn’t the first time a Dutch wildlife webcam has garnered international attention. Earlier this year, a fish-monitoring camera in Utrecht also experienced a similar surge in global interest, demonstrating a widespread fascination with live nature feeds.

The unexpected popularity of the seal webcam not only benefits the rescue centre financially but also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about marine life conservation on a global scale.

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Love Smashes Into Olympic Victory: Chinese Badminton Star’s Golden Moment Crowned with Surprise Proposal

Jess

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The 2024 Paris Olympics delivered more than just athletic triumphs for China’s badminton mixed doubles champion Huang Yaqiong. After clinching gold with her partner Zheng Siwei, Huang received an unexpected and heartwarming surprise that left spectators at La Chapelle Arena cheering for reasons beyond sport.

The Chinese duo dominated their South Korean opponents in the final, securing a decisive victory in under an hour. This gold medal performance marked a significant improvement from their silver medal finish at the previous Olympics in Tokyo.

As Huang basked in the glow of her Olympic triumph, her boyfriend Liu Yuchen, himself an Olympic silver medalist in men’s doubles, seized the moment to create a memory that would rival the gold medal in significance. Following Huang’s victory celebration, Liu approached with flowers and, in a gesture that captivated the audience, dropped to one knee to propose marriage.

Caught off guard by the romantic gesture, Huang joyfully accepted, later expressing her astonishment to the media. She marveled at the extraordinary turn of events, becoming both an Olympic champion and a bride-to-be in rapid succession.

Interestingly, this wasn’t the first Olympic proposal for the Chinese badminton team. Zheng Siwei, Huang’s doubles partner, had proposed to his girlfriend following their silver medal performance in Tokyo. Zheng noted the added joy of this occasion, with Huang experiencing both competitive success and personal happiness simultaneously.

The proposal added a touching personal dimension to China’s continued dominance in Olympic badminton. The nation has now secured medals in the sport for six consecutive Olympic Games, with more opportunities for gold on the horizon in the women’s doubles event.

Reflecting on their journey from silver to gold, Zheng credited their improved performance to a more strategic approach to training and competition since the Tokyo Games. This refined methodology appears to have paid dividends, both on and off the court, for the Chinese badminton team at Paris 2024.

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