The little dogs’ lives were in serious danger: it was one of the coldest days of the year amidst a deadly cold snap, and they were freezing. 

Rescuers from PAWS “jumped into action” and arrived on the scene. For four hours, the rescuers crawled through the frozen crawl space to get the puppies out one at a time. A TikTok video shows the difficult and laborious process, and the rescuers say “the last pup really gave us a run for our money,” evading their help. But it was all worth it: in the end all 6 puppies were rescued, safe and sound. They were brought to PAWS for vetting. “What a crazy experience,” the organization wrote on Facebook. 

“We are so glad we were able to save these pups before temperatures dropped even more. Thank you to the good samaritans that alerted us to these pups!”

@kcpaws Todays #rescuestory was one of our craziest yet. We spent 4 hours in a frozen crawl space to save 6 #puppies who were under an abandoned house during a deadly cold snap. We need help with these kids vetting! Please donate at kcpaws.org! #sharethis #dogsofttiktok #dogrescue #puppytiktok #followandlike #summer #donate #nonprofit #community #animalrescue ♬ Instrumen Sholawat Sedih - Yuda pratama

A few days later, PAWS shared an inspiring update to the story: the puppies’ mother was also found safe, and was in their care after being successfully trapped. 

The mother has heart worms and will need treatment, but PAWS said that both the mama and her pups will be placed in foster homes and hopefully find their forever homes soon.

@kcpaws Momma has been found! Thank you to everyone who is following their journey! Momma has heartworms and will need treatment, if youd like to donate please visit kcpaws.org! #rescuestory #sharethis #puppies #dogsofttiktok #dogrescue #reunited #followandlike #donate #nonprofit #notyouraverageshelter #animalrescue #storytime ♬ Here With Me - d4vd

Thank you to these rescuers who went the extra mile to save these puppies from freezing! 😮❤️ We hope the dogs all find great homes soon!
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  At just 8 years old, Xóchitl has designed and constructed a solar-powered device to heat water, using only recycled materials, Cultura Colectiva reports. 

For many, this device may seem totally unnecessary. But, in Xóchitl's community, where resources are scarce, "people don't have the money to buy heaters, so they chop down trees to get firewood [to heat the water]," says Xóchitl. Her device not only functions to provide hot water to low-income families in her community, it also saves trees! Xóchitl's family helped her set the device up on their roof and have been using it to heat water to bathe. 

Xóchitl says she always bathes quickly though, "so [the hot water] will last for my little brother." If this is what Xóchitl is doing at 8-years-old, we can only imagine what the future holds. Chiapas is home to the ancient Mayan ruins of Palenque, Yaxchilán, Bonampak, Chinkultic and Toniná. It is also home to one of the largest indigenous populations in the country with twelve federally recognized ethnicities. 

Much of the state's history is centered on the subjugation of these peoples with occasional rebellions. The last of these rebellions was the 1994 Zapatista uprising, which succeeded in obtaining new rights for indigenous people.

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  It took three days of searching off Norway's Svalbard archipelago before Sarikhani happened upon polar bears. After the expedition vessel changed course, he happened upon two polar bears in the water. The male then climbed aboard the sea ice and, using his strong claws, created a bed for the evening. 

“I am so honored to have won this year's People’s Choice award for WPY, the most prestigious wildlife photography competition,” he says. “This photograph has stirred strong emotions in many of those who have seen it. Whilst climate change is the biggest challenge we face, I hope that this photograph also inspires hope; there is still time to fix the mess we have caused.” 

Director of the Natural History Museum, Dr. Douglas Gurr, couldn't agree more. “Nima’s breathtaking and poignant image allows us to see the beauty and fragility of our planet. His thought-provoking image is a stark reminder of the integral bond between an animal and its habitat and serves as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss.” 

In addition to Sarikhani's winning image, four other photographs were revealed as top vote-getters with a highly commended status. This includes Tzahi Finkelstein‘s charming photo of a happy turtle balancing a dragonfly on its nose and Daniel Dencescu‘s image of a bird-shaped starling murmuration in Rome. 

The five images will be displayed both online and in the accompanying exhibition at the Natural History Museum, London, until June 30, 2024. See the top vote-getters of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award.

“The Happy Turtle” by Tzahi Finkelstein, Israel. Highly Commended, People's Choice Award. Location: Jezreel Valley, Israel “A Balkan pond turtle shares a moment of peaceful coexistence with a northern banded groundling dragonfly in Israel’s Jezreel Valley. Tzahi was positioned in his hide in Israel’s Jezreel Valley, photographing shore birds, when he spotted a Balkan pond turtle walking in the shallow water. 

At first, he wasn’t interested in it and carried on watching the birds. It wasn’t until a northern banded groundling dragonfly flew past his lens in the direction of the turtle that his focus changed. 

The dragonfly unexpectedly landed on the turtle’s nose, but instead of snapping up the insect, the turtle appeared to be experiencing pleasure from the interaction as they shared a moment of peaceful coexistence in the midst of the swamp’s murky waters.” “Shared Parenting” by Mark Boyd, Kenya. Highly Commended, People's Choice Award. Location: Maasai Mara, Kenya “A pair of lionesses devotedly groom one of the pride’s five cubs in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. 

Early in the morning, Mark watched as these lionesses groomed one of their five cubs in their territory in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The evening before, they’d set off to hunt, leaving the cubs hidden overnight in dense bushes. Returning from their unsuccessful mission, they’d called the cubs out onto the open grassland. 

Females raise each other’s cubs as their own, sharing parenting duties. Here the youngster was clearly enjoying the moment of affection and attention.” “Aurora Jellies” by Audun Rikardsen, Norway. Highly Commended, People's Choice Award. Location: Tromsø, Northern Norway “Moon jellyfish swarm in the cool autumnal waters of a fjord outside Tromsø in northern Norway illuminated by the aurora borealis. 

It’s common for this species to gather in their hundreds under the aurora borealis. Sheltering his equipment in a self-made waterproof housing, Audun used a single exposure as well as his own system for adjusting the focus and aperture during the exposure. 

This enabled him to capture the reflection of the sky’s colors on the surface of the water and, at the same time, light up the jellyfish with flashes. Moon jellyfish are common in all oceans and are easily recognized by their four rings, which are, in fact their genitals.” “Starling Murmuration” by Daniel Dencescu, Germany/Romania. Highly Commended, People's Choice Award. Location: Rome, Italy “A mesmerizing mass of starlings swirl into the shape of a giant bird on their way to communal roosts above the city of Rome, Italy. 

Daniel was mesmerized by the movements of the starlings as they formed colossal organic shapes in the sky. Each day, as they returned from foraging, they would gather in large numbers and perform spellbinding aerial shows, known as murmurations, on their flight home to their communal roosts. In a bid to locate the best roosting sites at which to capture the spectacle, Daniel spent hours following the starlings around the city and suburbs of Rome. 

Finally, on this cloudless winter’s day, the flock didn’t disappoint, swirling into the shape of a giant bird.”

These orphanages serve as havens where these innocent creatures can receive the care, love, and protection they need to thrive despite the challenges they face in the wild. Ellie was born with a slew of ailments that severely impaired his chances of survival. He was taken to a sanctuary by workers who, for days and nights, fed Ellie and nursed him until his health started to recover! 

However, because elephants are very social beings who cannot typically thrive outside of their herd, even when Ellie regained his health he was still a depressed and lethargic baby with no will to live. Seeing the elephant’s condition, workers tried to help him find solace with former service and sniffer dog Duma, who is a German Shepherd. In this moving video, we see how Duma helped Ellie, a K9 with a good ol’ Southern country strut after struggles to survive against all odds. Ellie developed a yearning for life under Duma’s loving and gentle care. Ellie still has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but with Duma by his side, that road doesn’t seem so lonely anymore! 

 Click the video below to watch this incredible story!

 
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  All dogs deserve a loving, stable family environment where they will be treasured. Sadly, not all dogs are fortunate enough to get this kind of happy experience straight away. It is heartbreaking to think that there are many dogs who will live their lives alone on the streets, completely unloved. The abandoned pup was spotted by a tourist sleeping in front of the hotel. Completely on her own, the little female dog was having a tough time, having to sleep outside in the cold. 

However, the tourist who did spot the sleeping dog in the snow felt bad for the pup and decided to step in. At the time, the weather was pretty cold, dipping as low as minus 14! The tourist brought the dog, later named Indy, food and water. He even managed to source a crate and a blanket for her so that she would have a way to keep warm during the very chilly nights. 

But he knew that he had to do more if he was going to ensure the dog’s survival long term. Knowing that he couldn’t adopt her himself as he already had several pets of his own, he reached out to a local rescue for help.

Knowing that he couldn’t adopt her himself as he already had several pets of his own, he reached out to a local rescue for help. That is when he got in contact with Howl of a Dog rescue, who were more than willing to help save Indy. 

The rescue was even touched by the kindness of the stranger when he offered to bring Indy from the mountain resort to their shelter for them – which was a whole 310-mile drive! The vet examined her and concluded that she was young, maybe not older than five years. 

But her teeth were already chipped. If her teeth are already so worn down at such a young age, it can only imply that she lived a rather depressed and carefree life before she was rescued. When she was taken to the shelter, she may have been a little scared and hesitant, but after so much love and care, she soon blossomed. 

 Check out her video:

 
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At that moment his relaxing family day out turned into a dramatic situation and one that Michael and his family won’t forget. Michael and his family floated next to it for several minutes observing no signs of life. Then the whale rose slightly in the water and exhaled and Michael knew there was at least a glimmer of hope, so he jumped into the water to investigate further. 

“I quickly realized that the whale was severely entangled in a gillnet, of the type used by local fishermen. As I swam alongside the animal, our eyes met. There were no words we could share but I wanted to let the whale know we were there to help,” Michael said, according to The Dodo. 

The animal was weighted down with so much fishing gear it was stuck 15 feet below the surface, unable to breathe properly. Michael saw the seriousness of the situation and knew he had to act fast. Both of its pectoral fins were trapped alongside its body and it was “freaking out” as Michael tried to free it. 

Michael managed to free one fin but then decided he had to radio for help only to be told it would probably be an hour before anyone could reach him and by that time it might be too late. He returned to the boat and with his helpers on board they started cutting at the net as fast as they could to free the desperate animal. The whale sensed some freedom and started swimming under the boat giving her heroes a whale ride. 

When she tired they continued cutting at the last of the net and finally she was free at last. The lucky whale swam away but stopped at a safe distance from the boat and gave the family that freed her a beautiful reward. For almost an entire hour, the whale offered a spectacular show throwing herself up and down and spinning around celebrating her freedom and showing her gratitude. It’s an emotional sight. The moment that Michael and his family celebrate freeing the whale followed by the beautiful display she puts on is a truly remarkable and heart-warming sight.

 See for yourself in the clip below!

 
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According to the New York Post, Sam weighed about three pounds when he was discovered by firefighters. His mom left a note explaining why she needed to surrender her baby at the fire station. She made it clear that she was doing this out of love for her child. Since the state’s Safe Haven Law allows a parent to legally and anonymously give up their baby at specific locations, she hoped to offer him a chance at a better life.

Chris and Brittany were more than ready to give Sam just that! They had already provided a caring home to 15 other foster children, two of whom they’d adopted: Judah, now 8, and Calvin, now 5. They wanted nothing more than to do the same for the Safe Haven baby who’d been surrendered at the fire station. 

“So I read an article that had been posted online about him, and I knew that Safe Haven babies went to foster homes,” Brittany told Good Morning America. “And so I prayed and hoped that we would be the home chosen.” When they got the call that Sam would be coming to live with them, they were more than thrilled. “They told us about him, and it took no thought. ‘Yes, we’ll absolutely take him,'” Chris recalled to WAVE News. This former Safe Haven baby has finally been adopted. 

After spending 581 days in foster care, Sam is officially a Tyler! His new parents are so excited to call him their son. They even took him to Build-A-Bear to celebrate the occasion, getting him a firefighter bear in honor of the first responders who found him as a Safe Haven baby. 

“He was with us in one home the entire time,” said Brittany. “So he didn’t bounce around in the system. It just took a while to get the paperwork done.” Sam has grown into quite the curious toddler, according to his parents. His favorite words are, “What’s that?” When this inquisitive child starts asking about his birth mother, Chris and Brittany already know what they’re going to tell him. In their minds, Sam’s mom did the right thing by surrendering her baby at the fire station. 

“She’s a role model, she’s a hero,” said Chris. “That will be something that we let him know about as we talk to him about character as he grows.” For now, the Tylers are just glad to watch their Safe Haven baby grow into a healthy, happy boy. These parents deserve all the credit in the world for opening their hearts to the little boy. So does the fire department for making sure the babies surrendered to them go to great homes!
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According to We Love Cats & Kittens, it seems that the cat’s mother rejected him due to being the runt of the litter, leaving him considerably weaker than his siblings.

 

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As you can see in the pictures, he was very tiny for his age, and despite being three weeks old, he was actually the size of a newborn, weighing only 3.5oz! But Beth wasn’t ready to give up on the little fighter. 

The fact that he had survived three weeks was already remarkable, given the circumstances. Now, she faced the challenge of getting him to take a bottle or syringe, and for the initial days, he had to be fed in drips.

 

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In addition to all this, his eyes were also sealed shut with crust, leaving Beth uncertain about whether, once cleaned, he would regain his sight. 

She decided to name him Guinness, and the entire family united in their efforts to ensure he was nourished every hour.

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Within a few days, the kitten showed a remarkable improvement, actively devouring meals and experiencing substantial weight gain — nearly doubling since his rescue from the streets. 

Despite his petite stature, Guinness boasted a pair of enchanting, large blue eyes. He reveled in affectionate cuddles from his human caregivers.

 

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With each passing day, Guinness not only gained physical strength but also exhibited a resilient spirit that astonished everyone witnessing his journey. His remarkable will to live shone through, evident in his hearty appetite. 

It seemed as though he instinctively knew he had to grow big and strong. With his newfound strength, Guinness wasted no time diving into adventure, exploring the joy of playing with the abundance of toys provided for him.

 

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By the time he reached nine weeks, a remarkable transformation had taken place. Experiencing a growth spurt, he had evolved into a genuine snuggle buddy and purr machine. 

Fast forward a few years, and looking at how Guinness appears, it’s hard not to have a smile on your face. What a remarkable transformation – showcasing what a bit of food, warmth, and love can do for a cat! 

This story truly warms my heart, and I can’t express enough gratitude to Beth and her family for everything they’ve done for little Guinness. 

 To witness the incredible journey of Guinness, be sure to check out the video below:

 
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Quincy was a 12 year old Labrador mix that served his community for 10 years, offering his skilled nose in the search for the cause behind hundreds of fires. Responding to over 300 calls during his time with the fire department, he was a respected member of the community. Quincy’s story began at an adoption event at the Pet Pal Animal Shelter in St. Petersburg, when he was just 6 months old. Quincy was tucked away in the corner of his cage, frightened by the many people passing him by. He soon locked eyes with a very special little girl, and knew he had found his forever family. 

Soon after the Nueberger family brought Quincy home, they knew he was made for more. He was a bit on the wild side, but he sure was smart! Employed by his local fire department, Neuberger asked if Quincy could be the next pup to receive accelerant-detection training, since their previous arson dog had just retired. 

The training was approved, and Quincy spent the next six months training at the Florida Canine Academy. Quincy went on to have an incredible career working alongside his firefighting colleagues, helping to sniff out and detect the cause behind hundreds of fires. 

“He’s another tool in our toolbox that we use to determine the cause of a fire. For Quincy, it only takes minutes. Sometimes, seconds.” – Neuberger With such an incredible career behind him, the news of his serious medical issues broke the hearts of so many Floridians. After much thought from his family, they made the difficult decision to put him to sleep. They just couldn’t see him in pain any longer. 

On the day they laid him to rest, the Clear Water Fire Rescue sent out his final radio dispatch, thanking him for his dedicated service. He passed in the arms of his loving family. 

  “Retired after a decade of hard work, today he will rest in peace.” – dispatchers We thank you for your years of service Quincy, and we send all of our love to your family!

 

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Riley purchased his winning ticket at Summit Variety in Peabody. He chose to receive his prize in the form of a one-time payment of $2,600,000 (before taxes). 

Inspired by his faithful dog, Raven, Riley plans on making a donation to the Animal Rescue League, which provides animals in need with veterinary care, adoption, and field services. 

Of course, Riley will still have some money set aside after his generous donation, and plans to use it to buy a new car for his wife. 

“$4 MILLION winner pictured with his VIP, very important puppy, Raven. He plans on buying his wife a car and donating to the Animal Rescue League!” writes Massachusetts State Lottery. The store in which Riley purchased his ticket will also receive a $40,000 bonus for the sale.