Jessica Watson’s partner dies after ‘catastrophic’ stroke.

So very sad ! [Ed]

Cameron Dale, the long-term partner of around-the-world sailor Jessica Watson has died in a Gold Coast hospital, six weeks after suffering a catastrophic stroke.
“Describing what Cam means to be is impossible, everyone who knows us knows how much we simply loved each other”.
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Service dogs celebrated for good deeds on International Dog Day

Most dogs are at the centre of their owner’s world for doing little more than being their happy, tail-wagging, cheek-licking, sun-bathing selves but the day-to-day existence of some canines is life-saving.
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Flying dogs and cats across Bass Strait

The passengers on this plane usually travel in cargo, but not on this flight.
Inside this twin commander aircraft, dogs, cats, ferrets and even goats sometimes make the journey across Bass Strait, to be greeted by their owners – some for the first time.
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Young boy’s pocket money funding big smiles for vets, police

Most ten-year-olds’ pocket money goes straight into their piggy bank, saving for the latest Lego kit or new toy, but that’s not the case for one boy in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.
The anonymous youngster from Muswellbrook saves his pocket money to “share love through flowers”.
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He Stores Seashells on the Seashore

Onslow museum is new home for Neil Baker’s seashell collection developed over 60 years and including thousands of specimens
The 84-year-old from Onslow on Western Australia’s Pilbara coast has been a fisherman for most of his life and admits to having “sort of a kink” for shells.
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Floodwater washes ‘love boat’ 70km into uncle’s backyard.

In 2016, an aluminium boat provided the perfect setting for Brad Gow’s wedding proposal.
Five years later, it has provided another silver lining for his flood-ravaged family — finding its way home after being swept away in a raging river.
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Bin Isolating Outing crooner serenades neighbours from his driveway during COVID-19 lockdown

Singing into a replica Elvis-era microphone to the sounds of Sinatra, Dave Stygall is wearing a tuxedo and fully amplified.
But unlike Ol’ Blue Eyes his stage is a driveway. His neighbours drag chairs and blankets to their front lawn, and with drinks in hand they settle in to listen to the live music — a rare treat in times of the COVID-19 lockdown.
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The Grand Classic 61ft Ketch – the ‘folly’ of buying a fixer-upper yacht with mates.

Having held many names over the years, the original name Southwinds was restored as the vessel itself was restored in New Zealand. The 1948 plans for Southwinds, including pencil sketches of her keel profile, lie in the British National Maritime Museum. Launched in 1950, Southwinds was one of the largest and fastest yachts to sail Sydney Harbour, and to this day remains a breathtaking sight. She has a rich history. Under the name Valhalla, she was one of the first yachts to be skippered around the world by a woman, has competed in the Sydney to Hobart, and has been owned at various times by notable Australians including John Hallas of Ella Bache — the sponsor of Jessica Watson’s solo circumnavigation of the Southern Hemisphere.
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Kombi ute “rustoration” sparks boy’s passion, unites city and country

A nine-year-old boy and his dad who restored a 1956 Kombi van abandoned in a paddock have found its original owner thanks to a small Queensland town.
Sammy Young’s dad Scott saw an advertisement on social media for the rusted old vehicle on a grazier’s property in Barcaldine and was immediately intrigued.

I like Good News/Happy Stories [Ed]

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At the age of 104, David Goodall finally departs on a journey with no return

Dr David Goodall’s life has been one of teaching, learning and discovery. Now the 104-year-old academic has departed on the last journey he will ever make.
As a group of family and friends gathers on a busy Wednesday afternoon in the departure hall of Perth Airport, it could be mistaken for just your regular farewell. The group clusters around a frail-looking man in a wheelchair, smiling, sharing a joke and a hug, as he prepares to board his flight. But at this farewell, there will be no coming home. David Goodall is going to die.

Make sure you have your Tissue’s handy – I have [Ed]

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Rocky Abalsamo who sat at his wife’s grave in Boston for 20 years has died

A MAN who sat at his wife’s grave for almost 20 years – through storms, heatwaves and howling winds from dawn to dusk – has died.

Rocky Abalsamo will now be reunited with his beloved wife Julita, who passed away in 1983 after 45 years of marriage. He will be buried on her left, the side he walked alongside her when she was alive, The Boston Globe reported.

He only left Julita’s gravesite when St Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury, Boston, was closed. Then he would sprinkle crumbs across the plot so chipmunks would keep her company when he could not.
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Awesome Service: Stuffed Wolf Gets Surgery With A Little Boy

THIS will restore your faith in humanity.
Meet 9-year-old Joshua. He recently had to go in for surgery and was so nervous that he brought along his stuffed wolf. The wolf had a tear in its leg, so Joshua asked if his doctor could do a wolf surgery too.

His parents said ‘no.’   But when they walked into the recovery room to see their son, they discovered the little wolf laying next to him; this time, with a surgical mask, a little cast, and surgical quality sutures in his leg.
We think the entire surgical staff deserves some serious respect and love for this act of kindness.

 

 

 

Arthritic dog made famous by photo passes away

This image of Schoep and his owner touched hearts worldwide

[ Kiwozi:  I like a good tear-jerker story sometimes and I’m a pet lover too so this one just had to get some space; ]

Schoep and his owner, John Unger, became famous thanks to a photo that touched hearts across the globe. Now Unger is posting what may be his final recollection of his beloved dog. Yesterday, he posted on his Facebook page, “I breathe but I can’t catch my breath. Schoep passed yesterday.”

They became famous last August when a photo taken by a friend, photographer Hannah Stonehouse Hudson, become a true viral success on Facebook. The photo depicts man and dog embracing while bathing in Lake Superior in Wisconsin. The touching nature of the photo was backed up by an even more wonderful story.  More . .