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Walk Along the Beach Turns Into Jurassic Experience For Shellfish Collector

When was the last time that you were truly blown away by something? We don’t mean impressed, we mean truly blown away. It’s a tough state of mind to find ourselves in, but that doesn’t mean that 29-year-old shellfish collector Marie Woods would have the same experiences! Woods had been foraging for shellfish along the Yorkshire Coast when she came across something quite remarkable. And when we say ‘quite remarkable’ what we really mean is ‘a relic of time’.

Let’s explore how a walk along the beach turned into a journey through time.

165 Million Years Ago…

Marie Woods was like many Yorkshire locals when she found herself walking along the coast, foraging for dinner. Woods had been looking for shellfish to incorporate into her meal when she came across something quite unique. In fact, what she found was something both out of time and out of place – an enormous footprint thought to be at least 165 million years old!

Now documented by experts, Marie was one of the first leaders in the field to examine the footprint. More than just a local shellfish enthusiast, Marie is also an archeologist. Upon finding the footprint, Marie would end up making international news. Marie said of her experience, “All I wanted was to grab some shellfish for my dinner.” Marie would go on to add, “..and I ended up stumbling across this.”

Woods wasn’t the only expert to put a pair of eyes on the uncovered footprint as Dr. Dean Lomax of the University of Manchester was quick to chime in. Dr. Lomax believes that the discovered print is that of the Megalosaurus, an animal that would stand with hips over two meters high and a body longer than nine meters. Put more plainly, Dr. Lomax says, “This is the largest theropod footprint ever found in Yorkshire, at least made by a large meat-eating dinosaur.”

The footprint is distinguishable at a glance, most notable due to its three-toed track and long shape. Dr. Lomax goes on to say that the shape of the footprint makes for a ‘large theropod’ or, as he likes to say, ‘a real Jurassic giant’.

Learning About Megalosaurus

Also known as the Great Lizard, the Megalosaurus was a large meat-eating dinosaur from the theropod class, existing throughout the Middle Jurassic Period. Found throughout Southern England, the first-ever genus of this dinosaur was found in 1824. Originally mistaken by a researcher for a 66-foot long lizard, Megalosaurus would receive more significant and accurate coverage after its inclusion in Richard Owen’s Dinosauria.

Described as bipedal with stout hind limbs, the Megalosaurus stood roughly 20 feet tall while weighing in at over 1,500 lbs. With short forelimbs and sharp teeth, the megalosaurus was quickly categorized as another meat eater for the time period. Unfortunately, we are still very short on further details as it has been beyond difficult for researchers to find a well-preserved fossilized skull for the Megalosaurus. Sans this information, it can be hard for researchers to get completely accurate details.

After discovering the fossilized footprint of Megalosaurus, Marie would contact other local experts where she would find out that her discovery was not completely new. Roughly a year ago, the footprint had been found by a local photographer named Rob Taylor. Though the image had been shared on social media, nothing had ever come of the discovery – at least not until Marie showed up.

Working with local experts, Marie and Rob are hopeful that their share discovery may find its way into a public display at the Rotunda Museum located in Scarborough.

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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