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

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4. One horse was very curious about the instrument.

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5. “Hay, I love that song!”

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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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  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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  Image/Story Source Credit: Sidewalk Specials via YouTube Video
All of her bad days are now behind her. Molly snored through the first sound sleep after Sidewalk Specials rescued her. She may finally get a good night’s rest knowing that she will never be beaten again. 

Today, Molly looks like a whole different dog. She received treatments for her skin condition, and all of her beautiful white furs grew back. She has since been adopted and wears a permanent smile on her face. When Molly’s mother first laid eyes on her, she felt an immediate connection. She knew she had to open herself up and let this adorable girl pup into her life. Molly now has a pillowy bed to sleep in and canine siblings to play with. 

You’re going to LOVE to watch Molly’s INCREDIBILE transformation in the video below. And, be sure to watch it ALL the way until the end, it’s truly AMAZING! ❤️

 

  Lucy, a Labradoodle, had only been in her new apartment for approximately two months, but she was already overburdened. This forced her to flee and find herself in a precarious predicament. 

Eventually, Lucy appeared on a floating ice block in the Detroit River. Too scared to move, she just stood there, frozen in place. If no one had seen her and been ready to help, she would have suffered. But help was on its way, thank God. 

When one of her neighbors saw that she was stuck on the chunks of ice, they quickly called 911. They responded so quickly that Lucy’s life was spared. The eighty-pound dog was found between forty and fifty feet out from the coast. Chief of Wyandotte County Police Archie Hamilton said that if it hadn’t been for that, the dog would have frozen or drowned. Hamilton made the 911 call. Officials chose to get in touch with the US Coast Guard because the dog was close to the water. 

But when the Wyandotte firemen got there, they had other ideas about how to save Lucy. Derek Azzopi, a firefighter, lowered himself via a rope that the rescuers had fastened to the boat. His lower body was in the water while he sat on the ladder, dressed in an insulating suit. Just a few steps separated Azzораrdi from the traumatized dog. The dog refuses to bend and lies flat on the ice cube. 

Thus, Azzораrdi leashed the dog using a collar and gently brought her closer. Lucy was hesitant to go near the freezing water at first, but as soon as Azzopardi held her in his arms, she relaxed enough that he could tenderly bring her to safety. 

According to Tom Lyon, the assistant fire chief for Wyandotte, “it turned out really well.” She couldn’t talk, and her big brown eyes probably only showed how grateful she was. Each year, Wyandotte firemen are called out to save one or two dogs. Firefighters are always fast to save the day in perilous circumstances like these because they understand that pets are members of the family.

 
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In the midst of this unbearable heat, a group of resilient cyclists, who dared to venture out, discovered a koala exhibiting signs of severe thirst and heat exhaustion, with temperatures already soaring well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Another touching incident involved a husband and wife who, while cycling on an extremely hot day, stumbled upon a koala, seemingly lethargic and barely able to move, by the roadside. The scorching temperatures had evaporated nearby water bodies and left a scarcity of eucalyptus trees from which the koala could extract the much-needed moisture. 

The man, seeing the koala in distress, knelt down in the sparse shade provided by the trees and extended water to the suffering animal. They even arranged a basin filled with water in hopes that the koala could cool off its paws. 

The koala, while gulping down the refreshing water, reached out and clung to the man’s hand, seemingly expressing its gratitude for the life-saving gesture. The man, moved by the koala’s response, persisted in offering more water to the grateful creature. 

“This sweet little koala drank endlessly from a water bottle while we were doing our best to encourage it to move toward the sink we provided so it could cool its paws in the water,” he recounted. The emotional and profound connection between the man and the wild animal is beautifully encapsulated in a video below. 

It shows the profound impact of kindness and compassion and is a reminder of the delicate bond that exists between humans and the creatures with whom we share our world. It’s a simple yet powerful illustration of the beauty inherent in acts of kindness and the unspoken bond it can create between species. 

 Watch the touching footage of the man helping the overheated koala in the video below.

 
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  But Zach, though initially wary, changed when Lily arrived. Both dogs gathered around the baby and doted on her. To his parents’ surprise, Zach couldn’t resist Lily’s charm and licked her face gently as if he were officially welcoming her to their family with his giant doggy heart. 

From then on, Zach became more than a pet– he became a vigilant protector. Beside his baby girl, he’d stretch out, one paw delicately placed on her tiny body. Their bond grew, and Zach became her faithful companion, always staying close to her. As Lily grew into a little girl, Zach knew when it was bedtime and waited for her at the stairs, thumping his tail. He’d nudge her gently, and they’d ascend to her room. 

Zach stood guard as she slept, protecting her and making sure she knew his loving presence was never far away. Then tragedy struck when Zach heartbreakingly crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Their other dog, Sam, the quiet and patient soul, stepped up as a hero. 

A sad Lily hesitated at the stairs, reflecting fear and longing with tears in her eyes. She so desperately missed her bedtime buddy. Sam, having observed the routine, stood up. With a gentle nudge and a soulful gaze, he promised the little girl that he would be there for her now. He placed his paw on the first step and turned to her. 

An unspoken understanding passed between them. Together, Lily and Sam ascended the stairs. While Sam knew he would never replace Zach, he was honored to fill in for his beloved canine brother because he loved that little girl too. 

From then on, Sam faithfully waited at the stairs every night for his favorite time with his precious angel, guiding her to bed and watching over her as she slept.

 
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