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‘Bad Dog’ Destined to Spend Life in Shelter Catches 150 Poachers in Two Years

This so-called “bad dog” is doing good in Africa, saving wildlife from poachers and putting illegal hunters behind bars.

Ruger, a Labrador retriever and German shepherd mix, was unloved as a puppy, angry and aggressive in later years, and is going blind today. But as Zambia’s first anti-poaching canine, he’s become a very good dog — catching more than 150 poachers since going to work in 2014.

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Conservation biologist Megan Parker found Ruger in a Montana shelter. He’d snap at people and was hard to handle — qualities that make him unlikely to ever be adopted, but perfect for going after poachers.

Trained by Parker and others at Working Dogs for Conservation (WD4C), Ruger will signal when he’s spotted weapons or ivory by staring at the place the contraband is hidden.

CHECK OUT:  Ivory Prices Plummet 50%, as China Cracks Down on Markets

Even though he’s going blind and can only see shadows, Ruger’s handlers say it’s only made him better at his job — by heightening his sense of smell.

During a recent demonstration in Zambia, he found a tiny piece of ivory hidden in a matchbox in less than three minutes. Some of the spectators thought his prowess was a form of witchcraft.

He’s also a model for more dogs being trained to fight poaching around the African continent.

RELATED:  Energetic Shelter Dogs Get Second Chance in Wildlife Conservation Jobs

The former “bad dog” has taken a bite out of Zambia’s poaching problems and the people who trained and work with Ruger think that he is more than just a “good dog” now.

“He’s a hero,” Pete Coppolillo of WD4C told The Guardian.

(WATCH the TEDx Talk video below about “Bad Dogs”, or READ more at The Guardian) — Photo: Working Dogs for Conservation, Guardian video

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Puppy Saves Life of Sleeping Boy Unaware of Diabetes Threat

boy with diabetes and service dog-family pic

The force is strong between Luke and his Labrador Jedi —strong enough to have saved the boy’s life last week.

When the seven-year-old’s blood sugar level dropped alarmingly low during his sleep, his diabetes-sniffing dog leapt into action, and into Luke’s parents’ bed, to alert them of the danger.

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When Luke’s mother, Dorrie Nuttall, had put him to bed March 3, she’d gotten a safe 100 mg/dL reading on his glucose level. But when she checked again after Jedi’s warning, it had dropped to the life-threatening level of 57— thirteen points below the lowest acceptable level for someone with diabetes.

Even a high-tech sensor implanted below Luke’s skin, which allows for continuous glucose monitoring, didn’t set off any alarms. It is only thanks to Jedi’s more reliable nose that the boy was able to be given a glucose tab to quickly boost his blood sugar.

CHECK OUT:  German Shepherds Do Better Than Lab Tests in Detecting Prostate Cancer

MORE: Dog Sniffs Out Cancer, Saves Owner by ‘Crying Near Breast Lump’

In the video below, you can see Luke ask Jedi if his level is high or low, and the dog bows to signal “low.”

Jedi joined the family as a puppy, just after Luke was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The Labrador began training as a diabetes alert dog — using his nose to hit on warning signs of crashing or skyrocketing glucose levels.

The boy and his dog are inseparable, with Jedi staying close to Luke wherever he goes.

“Jedi’s job goes beyond alerting, he also saves Luke from being scared; he is his constant companion,” Dorrie wrote on Facebook.

(WATCH the video from Inside Edition below and READ more at CBS News) — Photo: Dorrie Nuttall, Facebook

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Virginia Passes Medical Marijuana Bill to Allow for Production of Oils

Medical-marijuana-sign CC Laurie Avocado

Virginia lawmakers unanimously passed a bill that will allow families to be able to legally buy medical marijuana for treating epileptic seizures in the state in 2017.

Lengthy discussion and negotiation paved the way for passage of the bill, SB701, which allows the processing and manufacturing of Cannabidiol oil and THC-A—marijuana oils that are both low in THC, the compound that provides the high in cannabis.

“Providing this medication to Virginians is absolutely the right thing to do,” said Senator Dave Marsden, the sponsor of the legislation.“THCa and CBD oils have shown the ability to help alleviate the number and severity of seizures from intractable epilepsy and help so many families live a quality life.”

RELATED: Marijuana Fills Dire Medical Needs of Families; Science, States Try to Catch Up

The state last year legalized possession of the two marijuana oils for intractable epilepsy patients and their caregivers, but failed to provide any way for patients to obtain the oils without breaking federal and state laws. This legislation provides the solution by requiring the Board of Pharmacy to create regulations to safely and securely provide the oils. Once the Board of Pharmacy creates the regulations they will be brought back before the legislature next year for final approval. Processing and distribution of the oils would not begin until sometime in 2017.

CHECK OUT: Congress Quietly Ends Federal Medical Marijuana Prohibition

“This is a huge step for Virginia, a first in the nation concept that will provide the medications in the safest most secure fashion and shows once again that Virginia leads the way,” exclaimed Sen. Marsden.

Virginia is one of 40 states with medical marijuana laws and, according to the latest report on Medical Cannabis Access in the U.S. by the group, Americans for Safe Access, is one of the seventeen states that limits use to CBD and THCa oils for certain conditions.

Activists and legislators from across the country will be discussing these types of laws and other medical cannabis topics at ASA’s 4th Annual Medical Cannabis Unity Conference in Washington, DC later this month.

“We are grateful to the Virginia General Assembly for allowing this first step towards helping epilepsy patients and their families to obtain a safe and reliable treatment in the Commonwealth without breaking laws,” said Beth Collins,  ASA director of communications and outreach.

The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk, where he is expected to sign the legislation.

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Inspiring Story About An Amazing Mentor and the Kid He Teaches

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The winner of Philadelphia’s “Big Brother of the Century award,” Tom McElvogue, has been a mentor to many kids over the years. Even as a busy executive and father, he has always had time to make a difference as a mentor.

In his acceptance speech, Tom told a story about the noble character that shined through one of the students he mentored, even in the face of temporary fame. The boy would rather turn down that fame if Tom couldn’t be a part of it.

“Joe and Tom started as a great team and that team has grown stronger over time. Joe was in Tom’s wedding, and their families have gotten together every Christmas since they met — 43 years, so far.”

(READ the story at Brad Aronson’s blog)

Teen Learns to Communicate For First Time Thanks to Tech and Justin Bieber

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Melissa Wallace is a typical high school student. She’s into make-up, shopping, and she is Justin Bieber’s number one fan.

However, unlike most girls her age, Melissa is unable to speak and has very limited mobility.

A few years ago, Melissa’s life changed forever when her speech therapist discovered new technology called Tobii that allows Melissa to communicate using her eyes.

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Melissa was recently featured on her local news about how she learned to use this new communication technology–all her love for Justin Bieber.

Joan Rivers’ Estate To Be Auctioned And Benefit Guide Dogs and the Ill

Joan Rivers - CC David Shankbone

Joan Rivers isn’t done contributing to the world just yet – the comedian’s private collection of artwork, gems, jewelry, and clothing from her Manhattan penthouse will be auctioned off this June, with part of the proceeds donated to two beloved charities.

Over 200 pieces of glamorous couture will be sold in a live auction in New York June 22, and another 80 pieces in a tandem online auction during that week. The two charities benefiting are God’s Love We Deliver–a delivery service for the ill operating in New York–and Guide Dogs For The Blind.

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The auctions will be hosted by Christie’s, which has estimated the pieces in this collection to earn anywhere from $500 to $200,000 apiece.

“My mother’s legacy as a much loved comedienne and philanthropist will be commemorated in this collaboration with Christie’s, and her generosity to charitable causes is something I will continue in her honor,” Joan’s daughter Melissa announced in a press release.

Hollywood glamour will mingle among the decorative Fabergé art, paintings, and fine French furniture: a series of spectacular Bob Mackie gowns from her Las Vegas headliner years is sure to be a fan favorite.

CHECK OUT: George Clooney Give Love to Crippled Dog From a Hoarding Home

Known as an animal lover, the most fun piece in the collection might be the Tiffany silver water bowl made for Joan’s beloved dog, engraved with the words, “for Spike”.

Photo by David Shankbone, CC

She Can’t Decide Which Dogs to Save, So Buys the Entire Horrid Shelter Overseas

When a woman couldn’t decide which dogs to rescue from a rundown shelter, she bought the whole place — and intends to save all 250 of them.

Danielle Eden and her husband regularly visit animal shelters, choosing dogs that are living in the worst conditions to bring home to their 50-acre Dog Tales sanctuary in King, Ontario. There, they get long walks, training, and medical care before being placed in new homes.

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She usually selects 10 to 20 dogs in greatest need, but when Danielle saw the pups packed into an Israeli shelter, she realized they were all in deep trouble. Some had been there for years, fighting over scraps of bread and living with rats.

The couple bought the entire shelter on the spot — and Danielle went to work rescuing the dogs.

Since the first of the year, she was able to place 90 of them in homes or other shelters in Israel. She brought 25 of the healthiest dogs back to Dog Tales in Canada.

RELATED: Man Leaves $3 Million Fortune to Create New Animal Rescue Farm

WATCH: Give a Prisoner an Abused Dog and Watch What Happens–Karmic Connection

Within a week of arriving at the sanctuary, the dogs had gone through an amazing transformation. They began coming out of their shells, learning to trust people again.

Fed healthy diets, they were no longer fighting each other for scraps, but people were practically fighting each other to adopt them. More than half found new homes within three weeks.

Dog Tales plans to bring the remaining 150 dogs to Canada when they are healthy enough.

(WATCH the video below) – Photos: Dog Tales, Facebook

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Australian Tattoo Artist Offers to Cover Up Self-Harm Scars For Free

Whitney Develle - Instagram

Praise is pouring in from around the world for a Brisbane tattoo apprentice who is offering free tattoos for Australians wanting to cover up self-harm scars from the past and turn them into works of art instead.

22-year-old Whitney Develle began offering the inspiring deal by posting a photo online of a tattoo she’d inked atop her friend’s scars. She said she wanted to help more people to feel comfortable with their bodies.

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“I want you to be able to look down at the scars that bring you pain, embarrassment, shame, and be able to put those feelings behind you” read Whitney’s Facebook post, ”and instead feel proud of the body part that now contains art and offers a new beginning.”

The flood of requests through Facebook and Instagram was so overwhelming that Whitney had to revise her original offer saying she could only do 50 free sittings 1 or 2 days a week at Garage Ink until the end of the year, though she will still offer heavily discounted rates for the other days of the week.

LOOK: Give Yourself Positive Reminders With Temporary Tattoos by Conscious Ink

Many of her followers who wanting their scars covered were too ashamed to go to any other artist because of the stigma behind self-harm – but Whitney is looking to change that stigma one tattoo at a time.

“These are grandparents, mothers and fathers, young adults who have moved beyond their days of self-inflicted harm,” the artist told 9News. “I want them to know that they no longer have to feel ashamed and that they no longer have to conceal their scars. They can receive some closure and find confidence again.”

MORETrending Tattoo Movement A Symbol of Hope for People With Mental Illness

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Disabled Dog Was Never Chosen For Adoption Until He Met Girl With Same Birth Defect

Dog & baby FB Umbrella of Hope

A dog born with a rare birth defect had waited a long time for an adoption that never came. It turns out the wait was worth it—he was the perfect match for a little girl born with the same condition.

An animal shelter in San Francisco had rescued the eight-year-old tan Chihuahua, but no one wanted to adopt him. He was born with a condition that prevents bones in the hands or feet from fully developing.

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After finding no homes, shelter workers thought maybe he would be a perfect match for a human family dealing with the same birth defect, so they began searching among support groups for people with Ectrodactyly.

They finally found seven-month-old Grace, who lives in Indiana—the perfect match.

A volunteer at the Umbrella of Hope shelter traveled with the little dog halfway across the U.S. to his new home yesterday.

“At the heart of this all, is love and dedication,” Umbrella of Hope wrote on its Facebook page. “The love and dedication of a special family, meeting the love and dedication of a special animal rescue group.”

CHECK OUT: Guy Gives Shelter Dogs Free Haircuts to Help Them Get Adopted (LOOK)

Happy dog FB Mark the Dog Guy

This is not the first time we’ve seen special adoption matches for special needs pets and humans. In January, a toddler whose left arm was amputated from a rare form of cancer was paired with Holly the 3-legged kitten that survived a terrible arm injury, leaving her with just three paws. Truly these examples are both matches made in heaven.

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Uh, oh…Rancher’s Wife Turns Vegan, Begins Loving Hostile Takeover (WATCH)

Rowdy Girl Santuary Cropped - Home Website

For the last six years, Renee King-Sonnen worked with her husband Tommy on a 96-acre beef ranch without much thought to any ethical alternatives to their diet or livelihood – until recently.

Against the rancher’s warning to avoid becoming attached to the animals, Renee started to feel emotionally connected to the cows and chickens they farmed. She would sing to them, sit with them, even dance with them. And, yes, she named them.

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Finally the day came when she could no longer bear to sell or eat meat from their farm in Angleton, Texas.

“This past Halloween, I found myself saying no to anything with meat in it. I’d been vegetarian in the past and even tried a raw diet for several months, but never had the compassion connection until I LIVED IT!” Renee wrote on her new Facebook page, called, Vegan Journal of a Rancher’s Wife. “I love these animals – I see their souls, and they see mine.”

MORENew Organic Drive-Thru Offers Vegan Fries With Your Non-GMO Burger

Renee kept a diary there of the goings-on of her transition to a vegan lifestyle. After accruing thousands of social media followers, Renee hatched a plot to raise money to begin a hostile, but loving, takeover of the farm. She collected $30,000 in donations to buy her husband’s cattle and animals out from under him.

With a little bit of consoling, Tommy not only whole-heartedly joined his wife’s vegan diet, but started working for her at the newly-dubbed farm, Rowdy Girl Animal Sanctuary.

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The sanctuary hosts fundraisers, camps, events, and visitors so they can continue their sustainable lifestyle as the only beef ranch converted to veganism in the country.

(WATCH the Steve Hartman story below – *NOTE: Some overseas viewers will not be able to view via CBS news)

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Longest Flight with All-Female Crew Marks International Women’s Day for Air India

Air India All Women Flight Crew-Twitter

Today, on International Women’s Day, Air India rules the skies with a new world record for the longest flight with an all-female crew.

The airline posted photos with its announcement that a March 6 flight from New Delhi to San Francisco was “manned” with no men at all. From the beverage cart to the cockpit, women were in charge.

MOREVillage in India Plants 111 Trees Whenever a Girl is Born

They flew that first flight “with pride and glory,” according to their Twitter page, but also planned to assign only women to 22 more flights on March 8 to celebrate International Women’s Day.

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Dying Baby Gets Last Minute “Miracle” Heart Transplant (WATCH)

Baby heart transplant screenshot Inside Edition

A seven-month-old baby received a miracle heart transplant at literally the last second — saving his life, and promising a steady recovery.

Lincoln Seay was born with a rare heart defect and after multiple heart surgeries that didn’t help, had been added the transplant waiting list in November.

Little Lincoln’s hands had begun to turn gray and his family had nearly given up in his final hours–but then, what they called “a miracle” happened, a donor heart became available.

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The life-saving donation almost wasn’t enough. As Lincoln was rushed into surgery at Seattle Children’s Hospital, he went into cardiac arrest on the operating table. The doctors decided to do the transplant anyway.

The procedure was a success and the recovery has been remarkable — his skin tone returned within a day after surgery and his chest tubes were removed after about a week.

WATCH:  ‘That’s Your Baby’, Mother Hears Dead Infant Son’s Heartbeat Again

The heart came from an anonymous donor — given by parents who had to make a decision at the most difficult time of their life. Lincoln’s mother, Mindy, had been facing the possibility of the same loss for months, and wrote an emotional open letter on Facebook to the anonymous donor family who saved her son’s life:

I want you to know there are no words to express the gratitude I feel for the mother you were able to be in those final moments, and that you were willing and able to give so selflessly to another.

I want you to know that I will always have the utmost respect for the gift we will be given. I will treasure that heart more than I’ve ever treasured any gift.

RELATED: Inmate Asks to Donate Bone Marrow to Judge Who Put Him in Prison

I will care for that gift to the very best of my ability and will be sure we always give reverence and respect to the child and family from which it came.

We may never now you by name, but I will know you deep in my soul.

“We knew it was going to take a miracle,” Lincoln’s father, Rob, told Inside Edition. “That’s exactly what happened — a miracle.”

(WATCH the video from Inside Edition) — Photo credit: Danielle Wakefield


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“Paparazzi For Good” Cameras Paid to Catch Average Folks in Acts of Kindness

Paparazzi screenshot Jimmy Dean

A sausage-maker is getting paparazzi to refocus their cameras away from celebrities to the real stars of this world — people who do good for others.

Amateur photographers, like you, can also get paid the big bucks for snapshots – earning $500 for capturing the best weekly picture of someone committing an act of kindness.

Jimmy Dean launched “Paparazzi For Good” to pay professional celebrity photographers their going rate to capture images of everyday people helping others.

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In the video below, professional photographer Giles Harrison captures shots of a man who cleans his local beach and a chef who hands out food to the homeless. The company will use the images in ads splashed across magazines that that mainly cover the rich and famous such as US Weekly and People.

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“Looking back on the pictures I took today it fills me with a sense of passion, a sense of purpose,” the paparazzo says of his change of pace assignment.

Paparazzi For Good, part of Jimmy Dean’s “Shine it Forward” campaign, was extended to the general public last Friday and the company says it will choose the best photo of the week and pay $500 for the submission.

You can post your pictures of people doing good to their website, or just post on social media with the hashtag #ShineOnPics.

MORE: Small Voice That Urged Big Act of Kindness Lets Stranger Walk Again

Photos so far include images of a man who runs a horse rescue operation, people collecting used medical equipment to donate to others, and a Boy Scout simply changing a flat tire for a friend’s parents.

(WATCH the video from Jimmy Dean below)

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Jimmy Carter Stops Treatment as Cancer Seems to Have Vanished

 

After being cancer-free for nearly two months, former President Jimmy Carter announced Sunday that his doctors say he no longer needs treatment.

He made the announcement during a Sunday school class at Maranatha Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Carter told those attending he’d continue to get checkups, and if needed, restart immunotherapy therapy in the future.

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Carter, 91, had been undergoing cancer treatment since August when doctors determined that stage 4 melanoma had spread to his brain.

(WATCH the video above for full story)

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Van Gogh Paintings Come to Life in Spectacular Oil Animation Film (WATCH)

Loving Vincent - Youtube Screenshot

Vincent Van Gogh is beloved for creating numerous great works with oil – now a team of 100 inspired artists have brought those masterpieces to life in 12-frames-per-second oil animation.

Directed by Polish painter Dorota Kobiela and Oscar-winner Hugh Welchman, ‘Loving Vincent’ will be the world’s first fully painted feature length film.

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The Poland-based geniuses from Breakthru Films have released a trailer showing the technique they are working with meticulously. Check out one minute and seven seconds that will make you feel like you are walking inside the lush countrysides of van Gogh landscapes.

Soup Kitchen Disguised as Cafe Offers Side of Dignity to Kansas City Poor

Soup Kitchen 2 screenshot KC Star

There’s no waiting in line at this soup kitchen where food is served with plenty of humanity.

The staff takes your custom order right at your table and brings healthy meals even if you don’t have a dime in your pocket.

The Kansas City Community Kitchen feeds the city’s hungry in a restaurant setting. When someone comes in off the street for a hot meal, they’re met by a greeter who takes them to a table where a waiter takes the person’s order.

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It sometimes catches the homeless off-guard.

“It’s different,” Brian Oglesby told the Kansas City Star “They’re treating me good, like they don’t know I’m homeless.”

The kitchen staff whips up healthy fare based on the ingredients they have for the day, and the presentation on the plate looks like what something from an upscale restaurant.

CHECK OUT:  Chef Wins Reality Show and Uses Money To Feed Chicago Homeless

Substitutions are no problem. The Kitchen can make changes to meet health, dietary, or religious requirements.

The selections are low in sodium and high in nutrients — an effort to reduce the cases of hypertension, diabetes, and expensive hospital visits for the homeless.

The people behind the project have something more than just food on their menu — they want to find jobs for the homeless.

LOOK: Homeless Man Hands Out Resumes Instead of Asking for Cash-and Lands Job

Episcopal Community Services, which runs the kitchen, offers volunteers a six-month training program in culinary arts. The final two months, they work in restaurants as interns — with requirements that they receive a minimum wage of $13 an hour.

Kansas City isn’t the only American city using this model to feed the hungry. Masbia—which means “to satiate” in Hebrew—is a three-kitchen network in New York City serving healthy kosher food to the poor in a setting that runs exactly like a cafe, except without requiring payment, in Brooklyn and Queens.

(WATCH the video below) — Photo: news video

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College Kids Give Sweet Online Surprise to Snack Stand Worker (LOOK)

cafe worker gets note -submitted

The internet can often be a cesspool of negativity and criticism – but every once in a while, it can be used for good, like this online tribute that said, “Good job” to a simple worker.

Ashraf, affectionately known as the Leaky Beaker man, works at that snacks stand on the Wellesley College campus in Massachusetts. He always finds time to ask students how they’re doing, which makes him a wonderfully positive part of the school.

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One day, Liah Watt was doing some homework near the Leaky Beaker and was feeling the pressures of school particularly keenly.

“I was sitting and working for a few hours in the Science Center, very stressed out about the work I was doing,” Liah told the Good News Network. ”But every now and then, I would hear Ashraf in conversation with a student and it would brighten my mood. He is incredibly kind and caring, and asks each student about how their day is going, and seems to actually care about the answers.”

RELATED: Harvard Tells College Applicants: Focus on Kindness, Not Overachieving

She decided to jump on the anonymous online college forum, called Yik Yak, and post a note about Ashraf so her fellow students would see it:

“Watching the Leaky Beaker man interact with students makes me so happy. He’s so kind, caring, and positive,” she wrote on February 23rd.

WATCHHigh School Kids Start Food Pantry to Keep Classmates From Hunger

A slew of affirming likes and comments agreeing with Liah proceeded to boost the social media post until it became the most popular Yak of the week.

Message board compliments cafe worker-submitted

Shortly after the post’s creation, another student printed out a screenshot of the comments as a gift to Ashraf with a written comment in the margin reading “I thought you might like a copy of this. Thank you for being such a kind and supportive part of our community. With Love, The Wellesley College Classes of 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.”

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A few days later, Jesslyn Tannady was having a chat with Ashraf about his day when the subject of Yik Yak came up. When asked if he knew what the website was, he proudly retrieved the printed forum post that he’d been given from beneath the desk.

Jesslyn photographed Ashraf with the Yik Yak page and posted it to Facebook with a caption reading “We’ve only spoken a handful of times, but you brighten up my day every time we do. You’re honestly so wonderful.

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10 Easy Ways To Positively Improve Your Romantic Relationship Today

People In Love - CC Paul Saad

With the everyday stresses associated with work, kids, caring for aging parents, maintaining a home, volunteering, and shuttling to different activities, it’s not surprising that life can get in the way of our most important relationships.

Even if you have a rock solid relationship with your partner, life’s demands can wedge their way in and interrupt the sentimental and loving things you would typically do for each other. The kiss before leaving for work, the snuggling on the sofa while watching the evening news or remembering to grab their favorite snacks at the grocery store.

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Life’s demands aren’t going to stop, so it’s up to you to make time during your busy day to acknowledge your partner. An important thing to remember is it should not be viewed as just another task. To keep your relationship strong and meaningful, you need to put your partner ahead of the chaos even if it’s for a few minutes each day. Here are 10 ways to renew your long-time relationship starting today:

1. Unplug When You’re Together

You may have originally met online, but no great relationships are nurtured and maintained when you’re both separately on Facebook in the free time you have to spend together. If you’ve got your nose in your iPad, you’re not really listening to your partner or really paying attention to them. Prove to your partner they are deserving of your attention and step away from the technology.

2. A Simple Deed Goes a Long Way

Take a couple of minutes to make your partner a cup of tea or coffee in the morning, grab their favorite ice cream at the grocery store, leave a love note in their work bag telling them why you love them, send a text during the day that simply says “I love you,” let them pick the next movie or stop them in the hall for a hug. These little gestures remind them you care, you’re thinking of them and they are important.

3. Plan Date Nights

Between finding a good babysitter, the cost of going out and exhaustion from a long week, sometimes it’s hard to find a “good” time for date night. But dating your partner is just as important today as it was when you first met. Your relationship deserves the time to connect, have a laugh and relax without the worry or demands of the home. Actively find ways to make date night a possibility. Save for a once a month date night or organize a date night at home but treat it as importantly as if you went out.

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4. Say One Positive Thing Each Day

Each day give a compliment, a wish for a great day, a good luck on a presentation or a statement that lets them know you care. It’s quick, easy, doesn’t take any planning and can turn your partner’s mood around in a heartbeat. Who wouldn’t want to hear, “You look beautiful today”? Until it becomes second nature, set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.

5. Write a Love Letter or Poem

You don’t need to be a good writer or know a thing about poetry to pen your partner a love letter. Just take the thoughts from your mind and put them on paper. You can make it serious or funny, that’s up to you. Just be sure to make it from the heart.

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6. Apologize for Something You Did to Hurt Your Partner

It could have been yesterday or 10 years ago, but if there’s something you know you did to hurt your partner and you never really gave a sincere apology, it’s never too late. It could even be a small thing but it doesn’t matter. Your significant other most likely forgot about it or is over it by now, but they’ll appreciate the fact that you’re willing to own it now.

7. Make Meals Together

The simple act of cooking a meal together does wonders (even if neither of you can cook!). Select the recipe and get the ingredients together. Put on your favorite tunes and pour a glass of wine. Toast, chop, laugh and sauté together. You’ll find the oft times chore of cooking dinner can be a pleasant reprieve filled with fun memories.

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8. Offer to Help with Mundane Daily Tasks

If your partner doesn’t love doing their daily tasks, you’re probably not going to love them either. However, the points you’ll get will be worth it. Offer to throw a load of laundry in, pick-up the dry cleaning, change the cat litter, take out the garbage or walk the dog. Honestly, you’ll be glad you did.

9. Agree on a Joint Bedtime

Many people will let out a deep sigh upon hearing this and begin busting out the excuses like one of you is a night owl, one has to work late on their laptop, one wants to watch the new episode of The Walking Dead and the list goes on. Keep in mind that sometimes this may be your only opportunity to spend some alone time together in your busy life. The plus side is you’ll get more sleep, you’ll have time to talk and reconnect at the end of each day, and you’ll get more snuggle time.

LOOK4 Ways To Manifest Your Soul Mate And Give Up Looking for ‘Perfect’

10. Put Your Partner’s Feelings and Wants Ahead of Yours

Ok, it might be hard to do this all the time, every single day, but do this at the very least once a day. Which takeout restaurant do you prefer? Where do you want to go on vacation? Do you want to take a bath while I play with the kids? This is a guaranteed win-win for both of you.

The unavoidable truth is relationships take work. Even wonderful relationships take work and stay wonderful because both partners are willing to put in the effort to make it good. Follow these tips to lay the foundation for a stronger connection and lasting bond over time.

Justin Lavelle is the Communications Director at BeenVerified, a source to check whether your new date is who they say they are. BeenVerified allows individuals to find more information about people, phone numbers, email addresses, property records and criminal records in a way that’s fast, easy and affordable. (Photo by Paul Saad, CC)

Chef Wins Reality Show and Uses Money To Feed Chicago Homeless

Quentin Love - Youtube

Thanks to his winning a recent reality television show, Quentin Love can open his big heart to all the big appetites in the Chicago homeless community.

Every Monday for the last two years, Love’s restaurant, the Turkey Chop Grill, would close for business and fire up their grills for anyone in the city in need of a hot meal. With the help of a weekly team of volunteers, Love has paid nearly $2,000 a month out of pocket for over 60,000 free meals.

MORETeen Volunteer Wins $70,000 SUV in Charity Raffle, Then Stuns Crowd

The compassionate business model, however, was not sustainable enough to keep going on its own.

That’s when Guy Fieri called with an invitation to compete for a $36,000 prize on the Food Network reality television show Guy’s Grocery Games.

It was a gamble, but Love won the action-packed competition and not only used half of the prize money to continue feeding hungry Chicagoans in need, but he also donated the other half to the United Services Organization.

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Whether this kind, talented, and good-looking chef is single, we don’t know – but we do know that the Turkey Chop Grill will stay open for business and continue to be a hot spot for the homeless.

(WATCH the Give Black interview with Quentin below…)

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So Beloved Was This High School Janitor They Made a Hero Plaque

Shortridge High School indianapolis-FB

“The plaque had been missing for decades.”

“Commissioned in 1916 by Shortridge High School, the 2-by-3-foot bronze tablet memorialized one of the school’s most storied people, a man whose dedication to teachers, students and staff earned him praise, admiration and, when he fell very ill, newspaper stories and a guaranteed salary for life.”

“The man was not a teacher, though, or a coach or a generous alumnus,” reports the Indianapolis Star.

He was a janitor – and he probably had as many friends as any one living in the city.

The plaque shows the image of the Indianapolis cleaning man between two quotes: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand before kings” and “He dignified labor for he knew no master but duty Had no comrade but truth Desired no approval but self respect.”

Now, the plaque has been discovered again in a local salvage shop…

(READ the Full Story at the Indianapolis Star)