Friday, December 27, 2024

Good Afternoon! 2024 is wrapping up, and we hope it treated you well. Ready to set the tone for an even better year?

Dive into stories that bring a smile and warm your heart. A pet chicken in a safety vest? Check. The Atlanta Falcons outgoing quarterback helping rookie Michael Penix Jr. before his debut? We've got that too. Let's keep the vibes rolling! Here's to a seriously feel-good new year!

We're sponsored this Friday by our friends at NativePath.

98-Year-Old Pianist Finds Harmony Next Door

When Lydia and Andy Pender moved into their Honolulu apartment, the sound of music led them to their neighbor, 98-year-old Derek Peart, a former British Navy pilot with a love for piano.

After helping him adjust his hearing aids, they discovered his passion for music and began sharing monthly dinners featuring pizza, beer, and Derek's piano performances.

Videos of his playing, posted by Lydia, went viral, touching hearts worldwide and sparking stories of nostalgia and connection.

For Derek, the music—and their friendship—has been a gift, reminding everyone of the joy found in unexpected bonds and shared moments.

Pub's Pet Chicken Gets Safety Vest for Walks

A rescue chicken has been outfitted with a high-visibility jacket to keep her safe during her daily wanderings near The Railway Inn pub in Gloucestershire, England. Here are some photos.

The adventurous fowl named Billie Jean is known among pub regulars for her independent nature. She's recently expanded her explorations beyond the pub garden.

Landlady Sharron Brimble implemented the safety measure after patrons expressed concerns about Billie Jean's road-crossing habits on social media. Watch a video here.

Training Avalanche Dogs to Save Lives

The Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment's Winter Course, often called "Dog School," is a rigorous yet playful training ground for avalanche rescue dogs and their handlers.

Hosted annually at different ski resorts—this year's event is set for February 10–13, 2025, at Steamboat Ski Area—it combines life-saving drills with games like tug-of-war, teaching dogs to locate buried victims in snow. See some great photos here.

Handlers and their pups build unshakable bonds while honing critical skills, supported by a community of trainers and patrollers. Watch a video here.

Flying together with our sponsor

7 reasons everyone over 50 should be taking THIS kind of protein

Think vitamin D and calcium are the only answers to your bone health concerns?

Think again. While these nutrients get all the attention, scientists have uncovered a fascinating discovery about what really keeps bones strong—and it starts with the scaffold that holds bone minerals together.

This crucial protein matrix, which naturally declines as we age, could be the missing piece in your bone health puzzle.

Even more intriguing? Researchers have found that a specific type of protein can help support this essential framework, working alongside vitamin D and calcium to maintain bone strength.

What's really turning heads? How quickly people are noticing differences in their bone density scores when they add this overlooked nutrient to their routine.

Read more

➤ Seven-year-old Betsy has faced leukemia with incredible resilience. Her dad's racehorse, Kitty's Light, brought joy by winning the Scottish Grand National during her treatment. (See Photos)

➤ An 80-year-old woman fulfilled her lifelong dream of earning a college degree nearly 50 years after enrolling. Caring for her sick mother and injured daughter delayed her, but perseverance prevailed. (More)

➤ An Alabama woman received a gene-edited pig kidney transplant, becoming the third living person to do so. After years on dialysis, she feels better than ever. (See Details)

➤ Belgrade will make public transport free starting Jan. 1 to reduce traffic congestion in the car-heavy Serbian capital. (More)

➤ A man rescued an owl trapped in barbed wire, freeing it and driving an hour to a local rescue for treatment. The owl is expected to make a full recovery. (Watch Video)

➤ Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins prayed with rookie Michael Penix Jr. before his first NFL start, offering encouragement despite being benched. (Watch Video)

Fourteen black Labrador puppies adorably topple a toddler—have you seen anything cuter all week?

What island in Hawaii does your cat choose for a dream vacation?

See the answer

Flying together with our sponsor

Think you know everything about protecting your bones after 50?

Scientists have uncovered seven remarkable ways a unique protein can transform your bone health—and it goes far beyond what calcium and vitamin D can do alone.

What's really catching researchers' attention?

This natural compound supports bone density and helps maintain the crucial framework that keeps bones strong and resilient.

Even more fascinating? It works with your body's own systems to support bone strength in ways that ordinary supplements can't match.

While most bone health solutions focus on adding minerals, this powerful protein works differently—it targets the very foundation of bone strength.

Read this article to discover why this could be the game-changer your bones have been waiting for.