That’s the case for one woman, who has had the same pet tortoise since she was 7 years old — and it’s possible he’ll be around for another century! Now, their lifelong friendship is going viral online. Caitlin Doran, of Los Angeles, California, got her pet African tortoise Tiptoe for Christmas in 2001, when she was 7 years old. 

“I don’t know if I just loved the attention [from] having a unique animal,” Caitlin told Fox News Digital. “But I knew I wanted something I could just spend a lot of time with, so [a] tortoise was up there.”

  Her foster parents are careful not to move things around so she doesn’t get confused. Nellie chases the other dogs at full tilt, enjoying every second with her new playmates! 

She also loves to snuggle. It’s truly beautiful to see her let her guard down and be at peace, despite her unfair start in life. Nellie’s veterinarian assured her foster parents that she is used to her condition and doesn’t know any different. 

Her foster mom says, “She’s never known any different, so she thinks she’s normal.” But we all know she’s not “normal”; she’s exceptional! The breeder may have thought she was trash, but she is far from it! The previous homeowners also had dogs and they loved to bury their toys and bones. Nellie will dig around, looking for treasure using her nose as her superpower. Nellie is still looking for her forever home. 

But we have no doubt she will find the perfect family! Get ready to fall head over heels in love with the little warrior! She’s simply too cute for words! Thank you to all the amazing fosters out there.

 
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Service dog jumps between blind owner, bus http://t.co/RbPwpbQ6C0 @usatoday Photo: @frankbecerrajr @lohud pic.twitter.com/wb7sf0jhWV

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 9, 2015

Because we know how animal lovers operate, we're going to tell you right off the bat that the dog survived and is expected to make a full recovery. 

Being animal lovers ourselves, we know that we'd be hesitant to read a story, even one that sounds as amazing as this one, if we didn't know what happened to the animal. So we're telling you right now: both the dog and the owner are alive and well! 

Now let's read on about this incredible hero from Brewster, New York. Figo, a golden retriever service dog, is on the mend after saving his blind owner from what would have been a life-threatening situation by throwing himself in front of an oncoming school bus. 

Audrey Stone was walking through an intersection when a bus made a left-hand turn without noticing her crossing the street. Without hesitation, Figo reportedly immediately jumped in front of the bus to take the brunt of the hit. Paul Schwartz, the manager of the gas station near the accident side, witnessed the crash and ran over to help. 

"There were 15 EMTs and people all around her and the dog didn't want to leave her side," Schwartz told The Journal News. "[Figo] was flopping over to her and she didn't want him to get away from her, either. She kept screaming, 'Where's Figo? Where's Figo? Where's Figo?' We kept telling her he was fine." 

Stone fractured her elbow and ankle, broke three ribs and received a cut on her head, but her injuries would have been way worse had it not been for her dog's heroic actions. Figo suffered a deep cut on his leg that was tended to at the scene. 

"The dog was being a good sport, really calm," Schwartz said. "He sat with me the whole time. He was limping as we put him on a big blanket on the sidewalk and it started to rain. He let us wrap up his leg without any problem. He wasn't barking or crying or yelping. 

According to The Journal News, the bus driver was taken in for routine post-accident drug and alcohol testing and will be taken off-duty while the accident is investigated. Stone is currently in the hospital undergoing treatment, but Brewster Police Chief John Del Gardo says she was happy to hear that her dog is recovering and being well cared for. 

"The dog took a lot of the blow," Del Gardo said. "And he did not want to leave her side. He stood right with her. He was there to save her." The Middlebranch Veterinary Facebook page posted the above photos of Figo and wrote that he "is resting comfortably and recovering nicely from his wounds." 

You can follow their page for more updates on his condition. As we always do when writing about heroic dogs doing amazing things for their owners, we have to compare them to our cats. What would they do in this situation? 

They'd be pushing us in front of the bus. Yep, that's probably how it would go down. Obviously we are kidding. Our cats are not murderous creatures. Or are they?!
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  He didn’t know he was being watched, but a stranger in a building nearby happened to see it and recorded the hugs. 

You can even see the kid walking away at one point before turning around and coming right back for more! People who know the little boy say this is true to his character—he’s a very kind and caring young man. ❤️

 
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Being able to connect with animals through this “shared symphony” means a lot to Warren, who thinks of it as “uniting all forms of life in one ephemeral moment,” as he says in this caption. “What a joy to be able to play my music for our animal friends,” he writes in another post. “They give us so much I find it so obvious to return that love to them when I can through my melodies.” 

 Here are some of our favorite videos of this animal-loving musician sharing his talents with his four-legged friends! 

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A post shared by Warren Ruiz (@warren_shanti)

2. A group of horses seemed very relaxed while listening to this song.

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A post shared by Warren Ruiz (@warren_shanti)

3. This sleepy kitty made the purr-fect audience.

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A post shared by Warren Ruiz (@warren_shanti)

4. One horse was very curious about the instrument.

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A post shared by Warren Ruiz (@warren_shanti)

5. “Hay, I love that song!”

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A post shared by Warren Ruiz (@warren_shanti)

We hope you get to enjoy some restful moments this week that make you feel as relaxed and at peace as these animals listening to handpan music!
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  The fact that beavers build dams is one of nature's coolest features. Gathering and stacking tree branches, rocks, grass and mud across a river so they can build their homes underwater is a unique instinct among the animals—and a strong one. 

Apparently, it's so strong that beavers will build dams anywhere, including inside a human's house using whatever items they can find. A video shared by Dr. Holley Muraco, director of research at the Mississippi Aquarium, shows a female beaver named Sawyer busily gathering stuffed animals, blankets, Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and more to build a dam in a hallway, and it's seriously the most delightful thing ever. 

Sawyer pauses once in a while to assess her work, which is adorable. And her ongoing struggle with SpongeBob SquarePants' legs is a must-see. If you're concerned about seeing natural animal behavior like this in an unnatural habitat, don't worry. Muraco explains that Sawyer spends most of her time outdoors with other beavers, but also likes to come in the house occasionally. 

More on Sawyer's life story below, but first, behold her adorableness at work:

  Sawyer is one of three orphaned beavers Muraco is rehabbing at her home with the help of Woodside Wildlife Rescue. "Sawyer is one of a kind," Muraco said. "Very opinionated and, as crazy as it sounds, intelligent. I raised Sawyer on a bottle in our home and then introduced her to Huck and Finn who are a bit older. All three were orphaned separately when their parents were killed. The three were sent to Woodside Wildlife to be raised as siblings." Sawyer, Huck and Finn. Perfection. 

Muraco says Sawyer started building dams in her kennel as a tiny baby and then moved on to building bigger dams in the hallway. She lives outside with Huck and Finn, but she walks to Muraco's back door when she wants to go inside to check on things and build a new dam.

  Muraco says beavers are very social creatures and do better living in a group, but are also one of the most difficult animals to rehab. They have to spend up to two years with rehabbers, which is how long they would spend with their parents in the wild, and caring for them is challenging due to their complex and sensitive digestive needs. They are also prone to illness and there's a lot that's still unknown about vet care for them. 

Muraco says beavers are also considered a nuisance animal, especially in Mississippi, so it can be hard to find a safe place to release them. In Muraco's care, Sawyer, Huck and Finn get ample opportunities to practice instinctive behaviors, which is a vital element of rehabilitation. 

The ultimate goal is for them to return to the wild once they meet key milestones. Raising beavers is a lot of work, but Muraco is dedicated to preparing these young 'uns for life after rehab, both for their own good and for the environment. 

"Beavers are a keystone species and are often critical for healthy wetlands," she explains. They are misunderstood creatures and are sometimes killed by people who simply see them as pests, which is one reason Muraco publicly shares her adventures with Sawyer, Huck and Finn. "We are so excited that people are enjoying watching the beavers and falling in love with this unusual, quirky rodent," she says.

  If anyone wants to support these beaver rescue efforts, Muraco invites people to donate to Woodside Wildlife Rescue.
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According to their Facebook post, two hikers were on the trail in Colorado’s Meyers Ranch Park on November 19 when they came across a dog, with no owner in sight. The dog was scared and injured. The hikers tried to befriend the dog and one began to carry it down the mountain. However, the frightened pet bit the hiker. But they remained undeterred and were committed to getting the dog to safety. One stayed beside the dog while the injured hiker headed down the trail to get medical help, as well as to alert officers of the dog’s location. 

Jeffco Open Space Rangers and Animal Control Officers then accompanied the hiker on the trail back to the dog. One of the rangers recognized the dog from a lost dog poster that had been placed in the park. 

May be an image of dog and text Facebook/Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office The team successfully got the injured dog down from the mountain and contacted the owner, who arranged to reunite with their lost pet. It turns out the dog, named Nova, had been missing for two months! Nova reportedly has a broken leg, but is now resting comfortably at home. The fact that Nova survived, alone and injured, for that long is a miracle in itself, and the long-awaited reunion was only possible because the hikers went above and beyond to save the day and get the dog help. 

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office shared the story ahead of Thanksgiving, saying they wanted to “share this story of thanksgiving for the acts of kindness shown to a lost pet.” “A special thanks to everyone involved in helping Nova return home!” they wrote. We’re so glad Nova is home safe and sound! Thank you to everyone who saved this poor dog!
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  We all know the iconic silhouette of a witch on a broomstick – but an owl? A captivating image of a great horned owl, bearing a striking resemblance to a witch soaring in the air on her broomstick, made waves online. Just in time for the Halloween season, this owl’s antics caught the attention of many. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Eric Lind, the man behind the viral video, captured the owl’s unique flight in his parents’ Eureka, Illinois neighborhood on a day in mid-October. 

To everyone’s astonishment, the owl had snatched a stick horse toy and was parading it around mid-air, reminiscent of a witch cruising the autumnal skies. Recounting the amusing incident to Newsweek, Lind said: “My mom received a call from one of the neighbors telling her to look outside in the backyard at our pine tree. They had spotted the owl as it flew into the tree initially, but couldn’t quite tell what it was carrying at first.” 

Upon investigating, the Lind family quickly realized that the owl’s newfound toy was, in fact, a stick horse. It seemed to have been drawn to the stick horse. Some observers speculated that the owl might have focused on the toy because the horse’s head resembled a fluffy creature, possibly appearing as prey. Lind took to social media to share his photos and a video of the owl’s escapade. 

His post humorously read, “Current situation at my parents house…..the young neighborhood owl has stolen this stick horse and is flying around the neighborhood with it. Hilldale/Forest Park/Ridge lane neighbors…if your child is missing their stick horse, you’ll have to talk to the owl!!” The post exploded in popularity. It was Lind’s first Facebook post since February, and it currently has over 101,000 shares. 

The video alone was viewed more than 5 million times and has led to many funny comments like: “That’s just some young wizards owl, bringing them their limited edition pony-head quidditch broom.” Someone else wrote: “All it needs is the Wicked Witch of the West music.” Fotoğraf açıklaması yok. But while many found humor in the situation, some expressed concern for the owl’s well-being. 

Addressing these concerns, Lind clarified, “For those of you questioning if the owl is hurt or “entangled” in the stick horse….we have no reason to believe this is the case as we witnessed the owl moving the horse around and even changing it’s grip on it at one point….this owl is part of a family of owls that have been in the neighborhood for about 6 months now, and this is one of the young owls…if someone sees that the owl is in danger or believes it is hurt, I’m sure the proper authorities would be contacted…” The entire Lind family was both “shocked” and “surprised” by the owl’s antics. Eric Lind hoped that by sharing the photos, he could bring a bit of joy to his family and friends. 

He remarked, “It has been great to read the comments by others who said it made them laugh or made their day.” Watch the video below to see the owl in action. I mean, it’s pretty perfect for Halloween, right?

 
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According to a press release from the zoo, the cubs’ parents are 5-year-old mom Reka and 11-year-old dad Maxim. The mother and cubs are reportedly doing well, residing in a quiet, private maternity den in the zoo’s Big Cat Country habitat.

The AZA-accredited zoo, home to over 16,000 animals across 500 species, said that their Animal Care team is monitoring the tigers via camera, and say that Reka is an “attentive mom” who cleans, feeds and keeps her cubs warm. 

The mom and newborns will be behind the scenes during these first critical months, until they are big enough to navigate the outdoor habitat. It marks the first birth of Amur tiger cubs at the St. Louis Zoo in over a decade, and the zoo described their arrival as a “significant contribution to the population of Amur tigers in North American zoos.” Reka and Maxim were paired on a breeding recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan: they both arrived at the zoo in 2021. The Amur tiger, also known as the Siberian tiger, is a critically endangered species, considered one of the most endangered big cat species in the world, with a population of less than 500 in the wild. The species once lived throughout Siberia and the surrounding areas, and was thus known as the Siberian tiger, according to the zoo’s press release. 

But factors like habitat loss and poaching severely reduced their population and range, to the point where they are no longer found in Siberia, and now mostly reside in the Russian Far East (their new name comes from the Amur River in Russia.) 

With so few Amur tigers left in the world, in-captivity breeding programs are essential in keeping this species from extinction. 

What amazing news — these adorable cubs are a crucial step in ensuring the survival of this majestic big cat species. Welcome to the world! ❤️
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The poor pup cried out and whimpered wondering what was going on. But she was scooped up and taken back to the Takis Shelter in Greece for care and a checkup. And she was so friendly and loving with everyone, including the other dogs! She may have been small in stature, but she had a personality larger than life! How could anyone leave something so sweet behind with nothing? 

Clearly that person couldn’t see what everyone else saw in her, and it wasn’t long before she found her loving forever home! Now in her forever space with a new mom and lots of doggy brothers and sisters, the little one is living it up! It’s one big happy family, and you have to see them for yourself in the video below.

 
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For example, a mom pit bull was despondent over the loss of her entire litter, which died in utero. But just days later, she was introduced to an orphaned puppy, and her maternal instincts took over. But dogs aren’t the only ones who will readily fill in as a newborn’s mama. In June 2016, a horse fertility specialist in the Netherlands was summoned to a farm to help a retired showjumper, Zindita, who was in labor. The vet, Dr. Patrick Brogan, knew right away that she wouldn’t be able to birth the foal naturally, so he stepped in to assist. 

Unfortunately, the foal he delivered was stillborn. Zindita was understandably grief-stricken. But something fortuitous happened just two days later when Dr. Brogan received a call about a horse named Tolanda. She had died while delivering her foal, and her newborn needed some serious care only a mother could provide.  

The vet made the decision to bring the two horses together, and something magical happened.

From the moment Zindita and the foal were introduced, the grieving mother immediately bonded with the baby. She was “in love and desperate to take her (in),” said Dr. Brogan. He posted the photo and the following caption on Facebook, where it immediately went viral, racking up hundreds of thousands of views and shares: 

Two days ago, a group of people came together, working as a team… Saving a mare in labor but losing the foal… Today a group of people, working together, the same mare as two days ago, was introduced to a foal who had lost her mom…. This picture is taken an hour after the introduction…. It speaks for itself. Watch their sweet meeting below and share this incredibly sweet and heartwarming story to spread more love!

 
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  In 2015, Melissa became a foster mom and has since fostered about 56 children. Their ages ranged from babies to young children ages 5 and under. But the last four children she fostered were special and would later become her own adopted children. 

“I was single and I was just [like], ‘Why not? Let’s do it,'” Melissa shared. “‘Let’s try to help kids who really don’t have a safe place to call home.'” Melissa is mom to Jade, who is 8, Destiny, who is 6, Matthew, who is 4, and Emerson, who is 2. Melissa adopted sisters Jade (2-and-a-half at the time) and Destiny (16 months old) first. Then, she got Matthew and Emerson when they were days old from the hospital. Melissa admits that she didn’t set out to be a mom of four, but she was determined to keep the siblings together. And the bond the siblings have is “unbreakable.” 

“Actually, I did not see myself as a single mom of four, maybe two, you know,” Melissa told Good Morning America. “But there was no way I could let the boys go to someone else and be away from their siblings. There’s no way.” She admits that both fostering and the adoption process is a grueling journey, but, if anyone is up for it, they should do it! As someone who has both fostered and adopted, Melissa said both experiences come with ups and down, noting that her children go to therapy for trauma they have experienced as at a young age. 

“Adoption and foster care does pull on your heartstrings,” Melissa said. “But at the same time, you know you’re doing something and you’re helping that child in the moment that they need you the most.” 

She encourages other single families to consider adoption as well. She said online communities have been a great support system for her in addition to her parents and friends. More than anything, Melissa is grateful for her motherhood journey. Turns out it was a win-win for all! 

“This has been [to] my benefit too because I became a mom; a forever mom, said Melissa. “I have in my opinion the best children in the world. I wouldn’t trade anything for that. I want them to remember that I picked them. I didn’t have to raise them but I chose to be their mom.”
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