In Istanbul, a very special stray dog named Boji has become famous. Unlike other stray dogs that hang out on street corners or look for food in trash cans, Boji has found a unique way to get around the city: he rides the public transportation!
Boji isn’t like other pets that need a leash or a guide. He knows exactly what to do. He waits at bus stops and metro stations just like any other person would. When the bus or subway arrives, Boji hops on. He doesn’t need a ticket, and he knows exactly where to get off. People often see him traveling from one part of the city to another. If the weather is nice, he likes to sit in the sun while he waits for his ride.
At first, people were curious about the dog who seemed to be using public transportation like a pro. Soon, the Istanbul city officials took notice, too. They decided to help by putting a small tracker on Boji so they could learn more about his travels. The tracker showed that Boji travels around 27 to 30 kilometers a day, stopping at 29 different places! That’s a lot of bus and subway rides for a dog!
Despite being a stray, Boji is very polite on the buses and trains. He never causes trouble, and people love seeing him. He is calm and patient, waiting quietly for his stops. The city even made sure to check on him and make sure he was safe, and Boji’s journey continues to be one of the most heartwarming stories in Istanbul.
In a park in England, a man named Tim Clifton spotted something special—a white squirrel. This little creature, with its soft white fur and bright eyes, looked very different from the usual gray squirrels. At first, Tim thought he was seeing a seagull, which made him chuckle a little. But when he realized it was a squirrel, he was filled with excitement.
Tim had seen this rare squirrel in Hastings town park before. It felt like a treasure to him. The squirrel was not shy. It approached Tim, looking up at him with its big, curious eyes. It seemed to be asking for a snack, as if it knew Tim would share something tasty.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this little guy,” Tim said. “He was so big and so white. I sat on a bench, and the squirrel came right over to me. It was like he was saying, ‘Do you have something for me?’”
Tim’s heart swelled with joy. This beautiful moment felt magical, and he wanted to remember it forever. He took pictures of the squirrel, hoping to capture its sweet spirit. In that park, beneath the warm sun, Tim and the little squirrel shared a special connection.
A dog amazed everyone when he climbed up to the top of the Pyramid of Khafre in Egypt, standing tall at 448 feet (136 meters). His adventure touched many hearts, and soon, the whole world was talking about this brave little explorer.
Marshall Mosher, a paramotor pilot, spotted the dog while flying over the ancient pyramids. He saw the dog standing proudly on the very top. He shared the moment on Instagram with a video that gathered over 920,000 likes. “A dog climbed all the way up the Pyramid of Giza! Do you think he lives up there?” he asked, making people wonder about the dog’s journey.
The video of the white dog caught the eyes of millions. Some people were amazed by his courage, while others worried about him. They wondered if he would find food and if he could get down safely. Marshall felt the same concern, so he flew over the pyramid again, hoping to see the dog and make sure he was okay.
The next day, there was good news. Marshall shared an update, saying the dog had made it down safely. A video even showed the dog carefully climbing down the ancient stones, running with ease and excitement. People were relieved and happy to hear the dog was safe. “None of his friends are gonna believe him,” one person joked. Another said, “Maybe he learned something ancient up there!”
For many, this brave dog’s adventure felt like a story of courage and mystery. The Pyramid of Khafre, built long ago in 2570 BC, stood as a silent witness to this unexpected visitor. It was once a grand tomb for Pharaoh Khafre, a place of ancient stories and legends.
Marshall had come to Egypt with other paramotor pilots from around the world, all gathering for an adventure in the skies. They flew over the Great Pyramids, marveling at the view. But for Marshall, the most unforgettable moment was seeing that dog exploring the top of the pyramid. It became a story of wonder, reminding everyone of the magic of unexpected moments.
Imagine a mother goose waddling through the South Saskatchewan River in Canada, with 47 fluffy little goslings trailing behind her. It’s a sight that makes you smile and wonder: how does she do it? Taking care of three or four children is tough enough, but this goose has nearly fifty little ones relying on her. If she could take a break, maybe a cozy nest and a peaceful rest by the river would make her day a little brighter.
A Canadian photographer named Mike Digout spotted this special goose family during one of his walks along the river. He had taken up photographing beavers during the lockdown, but soon, he became fascinated by the geese. He noticed this mother goose with more babies than usual—so many that it didn’t seem possible. Normally, Canadian geese lay only a few eggs each season. But there she was, leading a large group of goslings. While geese sometimes form “gang broods” where several families combine their babies, this mother seemed to be managing most of the flock on her own, sometimes with help from her mate.
When Mike first found her, she had just a fraction of the babies she would later have. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw her with 16 goslings. “I was amazed,” he shared. “So I started visiting every evening to see her and her growing group. Every time, there seemed to be more goslings with her.”
By May 26, 2020, Mike’s photos showed her caring for 26 little ones. He joked on Facebook, “This momma was watching 26 goslings today in Saskatoon. Must be a very caring goose.” But just a few days later, her group had swelled to 47! It was unusual to see one adult taking care of so many babies, and Mike was curious about how this all worked. He wondered, “Is this a daycare for goslings while the other parents rest, or did she adopt these little ones from other families?” If it was just daytime care, why didn’t the goslings leave her side at night?
Instead, they stayed close, nestling under her wings as the sun set. About 36 of them would cuddle up under her warmth to sleep. It was clear they trusted her and felt safe with her, like she was their true mother.
Mike couldn’t get enough of watching this heartwarming scene. “It was amazing to see,” he said. “I got a bit addicted to going out each evening to look for this mom and her babies.”
He was impressed by her gentle nature. Even with so many little ones around, she stayed calm and kind. She never seemed upset when a gosling wandered off or bumped into another. “She has such patience with all those babies,” Mike said. “She’s a really loving mom.”
Geese are known for being social creatures, and it’s not unheard of for them to adopt other goslings. According to Jamie Harder, who works with Saskatoon’s Meewasin Valley Authority, these “gang broods” can sometimes have over 100 young geese. “They are just such welcoming parents,” Jamie explained. “They take in any goslings nearby.”
This mother goose’s story is one of warmth and care, a little reminder that nature has its own way of showing love. And thanks to Mike Digout, we get to share in the wonder of her big, beautiful family.
A few months back, scientists found a very old shark swimming in the North Atlantic Ocean. They knew this shark was old, but they were amazed to learn it might be around 512 years old. That would make it the oldest living vertebrate in the world.
Greenland sharks, like this one, are known to live much longer than other animals. They grow very slowly and don’t even become adults until they’re about 150 years old. Some have been known to live nearly 400 years. But this shark, at 512 years, is a new record.
This means the shark was born in 1505—before Shakespeare was even born. The discovery was published in a research study. A marine biologist named Julius Nielsen and his team found this out by measuring radiocarbon in the shark’s eye lenses. That’s how they figured out its age.
“This shark is truly special. It’s among the oldest creatures on Earth,” the biologist said.
The study showed that Greenland sharks live even longer than scientists once believed. To learn more, Nielsen and his team studied 28 Greenland sharks. The way they determined the age of these sharks is much more accurate than before. Earlier, scientists guessed a shark’s age based on its size. Since Greenland sharks only grow about 0.4 inches per year, that method wasn’t very precise, especially as the sharks got older.
For years, researchers struggled to figure out how long these sharks live. Steven Campana, an expert from the University of Iceland, shared how surprising it is that they didn’t know if the sharks lived 20 years or 1,000 years, despite being a top predator in Arctic waters.
Julius Nielsen has spent much of his career learning about these sharks. He even showed a picture of one eating a polar bear carcass. He also mentioned that many of these sharks have little parasites stuck to their eyes, making them look a bit unhealthy.
Because Greenland sharks live for such a long time, they travel around the ocean and don’t stay in one place. Scientists found that many of the sharks share similar genes, suggesting that they all come from the same place and spread out over time. But how these sharks reproduce is still a mystery. What scientists do know is that these sharks prefer the cold Arctic waters.
Now, scientists are eager to learn why the Greenland shark lives so much longer than other animals. They hope that studying the shark’s genes might help them understand more about long life spans in other species too.
“This is the oldest vertebrate on Earth,” said the biologist. “We’re working with scientists from Denmark, Greenland, the USA, and China to study the shark’s entire genetic code. This might help us understand why this shark outlives other sharks and vertebrates.”
When asked how the shark could live over 500 years, Nielsen guessed that the cold water and slow metabolism might be the key. But he admits that more research is needed to know for sure.
When we think of the word “cuddle,” we usually imagine something soft, like a teddy bear. But what if I told you that the word “cuddle” could also fit with a shark? Yes, a shark. It might sound strange, but there’s a true story that’s surprising and heartwarming.
Rick Anderson is a man who has a very special friend—a shark. This shark is a female Port Jackson shark, and she has markings on her body that help Rick know it’s her. Rick doesn’t feed her, or chase her. Instead, they have a gentle friendship that started over ten years ago.
Rick remembers the first time he met her. She was just a little six-inch baby shark, swimming in the ocean near Nobbys Beach in Australia. Rick was careful not to scare her. Slowly, he reached out his hand and touched her softly. She didn’t swim away. Instead, she let him be near her, and from that moment, they became friends.
Over the years, Rick has kept visiting her. Whenever he went diving, she would come to find him. It was as if she knew him. She would tap his legs, asking for a cuddle, just like a dog might do when it wants attention. And Rick would always give it to her, talking to her softly through his breathing regulator.
Even though Rick loves sharks, he doesn’t see them like most people do. Many people are afraid of sharks, thinking they are dangerous and only want to hurt people. But Rick knows better. He treats sharks like his other animal friends, like dogs or cats. He has spent over 30 years diving with all sorts of sharks—tiger sharks, bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, and even great whites. He believes they are not the monsters people think they are.
Rick wants others to see sharks differently, too. He wants to show that sharks can be gentle and even playful. He hopes his story helps people understand that these creatures aren’t just out there to hurt us. They can be as kind and caring as any other animal, if only we take the time to really see them.
Janine Guido was a kind soul, someone who did good without asking for anything in return. She worked at Speranza Animal Rescue, taking care of animals who needed love. There are so many cats and dogs who come to the shelter, but not all of them find a home. Some don’t make it, and that breaks Janine’s heart because she cares for each one.
One day, Janine found a dog named Watson. He was in bad shape, left alone in a pit at the park. His body was full of wounds, and a big tumor grew on his leg. Janine rushed to help him, doing everything she could to ease his pain. But the vet told her that the cancer had spread too far. Nothing more could be done to save Watson.
This made Janine sad, but she knew she couldn’t leave Watson alone. She stayed with him, deciding to give him love and comfort in his last moments. She made a soft bed with blankets on the floor, laid next to him, and held him close. Janine whispered kind words, telling him how loved he was.
Through the night, Watson lay in her arms. He slowly drifted off to sleep, and in the morning, he passed away. It was peaceful, and Janine was there, holding him.
Even though Watson had suffered in his life, Janine gave him something special—a warm, loving goodbye. Their time together showed how much a little kindness can mean to someone who needs it most.
Natalya found Fedya when he was just a sick, tiny kitten. He was weak and needed someone to take care of him. She was the one who gave him the care he needed, feeding him with a little bottle of milk until he was strong enough. Over time, Fedya grew into a healthy cat, but he still had something special about him—his face. His eyes were always wide, as if he was surprised by everything. It made him look different from the other cats.
But, instead of making him sad, his unique face made people love him. Soon, he had thousands of followers on Instagram. People couldn’t get enough of his funny, scared look. Natalya was amazed. She had always thought of him as just her sweet, quirky cat. She never expected he would become so famous.
When she first took Fedya in, he was very weak and needed help with everything. He couldn’t even find his mother’s milk on his own. Natalya had to feed him with a little pipette. When he was just a month old, he started using the litter box, but in a funny way. Instead of going straight to it, he would walk all around the room, like he was making sure everything was just right.
As he grew, Fedya tried to do normal cat things, like climbing onto the windowsill. But he couldn’t jump very well. For a whole year, he practiced and tried, scratching and pulling himself up the bed with his tiny claws, determined to get higher and higher.
Natalya still remembers the day she realized Fedya was famous. “One day, we had so many people following us, and I got messages from news people all over the world,” she says. “It shocked me. I always saw him as just my funny, little cat. I never thought he’d be a star.” Even though Natalya was shy about the attention, she was happy that so many people loved Fedya and his sweet, funny face.
In a beautiful place called Grand Teton National Park, there lives a special bear named Grizzly Bear 399. She is not just any bear; she is a loving mother who just welcomed her 17th baby bear! Even though she is 24 years old, which is pretty old for a bear, her heart is full of love and strength.
Grizzly Bear 399 is famous because she gave birth to four little cubs at once! That’s more than most bears have, as they usually have two or three. People from all over come to watch her, and many love to share her story on social media. Everyone admires how brave and caring she is.
What makes her even more amazing is how smart she is. She knows how to keep her cubs safe by using the roads and places where people visit. This cleverness shows how strong a mother can be when she wants to protect her little ones. Because of this, many people think of her as one of the best bear moms ever.
Photographers Kate and Adam Rice love capturing her beautiful moments. They took many pictures of Grizzly Bear 399 and her four cubs, showing the sweet joy of nature. Kate and Adam travel in their van, exploring the wild, and their hearts are filled with wonder for the animals they meet.
Their love for wildlife grew even more when they first saw Grizzly Bear 399. It changed their lives forever. From the forests of Minnesota to the stunning views of Yellowstone and Grand Teton, their adventures remind them of how magical nature can be.
Grizzly Bear 399’s story doesn’t end with her cubs. Her daughter, Bear 610, did something incredible. She adopted one of her mom’s cubs and raised it! This shows how close bear families can be and how they help each other.
As Grizzly Bear 399 roams the park, her story touches everyone who hears it. She is a symbol of love, strength, and hope. In the meadows and mountains, she reminds us of the special bonds we all share in this beautiful world.
Russell O’Grady, a beloved friend in Northmead, is saying goodbye after 32 wonderful years at McDonald’s. This is not just a job; it’s a place where Russell shared his big heart and bright smile with everyone around him. His story shows us how important it is to believe in each other, no matter our differences.
Now 50 years old, Russell has Down syndrome, which makes some things harder for him. But he never let that stop him! He worked very hard and became a treasured part of the McDonald’s team. Russell’s journey reminds us that everyone can shine if given the chance to show their gifts.
When Russell started at McDonald’s in 1984, he was just 18. With a little help from Jobsupport, a special program that helps people find jobs, Russell got his first opportunity. He didn’t have any work experience before, but he quickly showed everyone how special he was. Customers and coworkers loved how dedicated and kind he was.
Over the years, Russell became like family to many people in the community. On Thursdays and Fridays, customers would come just to see him. His warm smile and friendly waves made everyone feel happy. They knew Russell would always greet them with joy.
Kate O’Grady, who works with Russell, says he is a people person. When he walks down the street, people stop to say hello. Russell’s kindness has created many friendships, and he is loved by everyone who knows him.
As Russell prepares for his retirement, his boss feels grateful for the sunshine he brought to the restaurant. While many will miss him, they will always remember his laughter and the joy he spread.
Now, as Russell begins this new adventure, we see that his story is more than just about leaving a job; it teaches us to include everyone and celebrate our differences. Russell showed us that with hard work and a big heart, we can all make a difference in the world around us.
