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Service Dogs Receive Valuable Training During Recently Held Theater Performance

A typical audience for the performance of a popular musical tends to feature young and old people alike with varying levels of experience with the medium. Some may know lyrics to all the songs while others may just be trying to keep up with the happenings.

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Still, you don’t usually expect to see dogs taking part in the festivities, but for one recently held show, that turned out to be the case.

Via Little Things, a performance of the acclaimed musical “Billy Elliot” at the Festival Theatre in Ontario, Canada was attended by numerous dogs. It was a unique audience to say the least, but there was a good reason behind why the dogs were asked to be present for the performance.

These were not ordinary dogs catching a show. They are from K-9 Country Inn Working Service Dogs.

The performance itself was not of the usual variety. On the aforementioned occasion, the theater company put on a “relaxed performance.”

Per the Stratford Festival’s website, relaxed performances differ from the regular performances in that they are meant for attendees who will feel more comfortable being a part of a “less restricted audience environment.”

To further differentiate the relaxed performances from their more conventional counterparts and to also make them more accommodating, they also feature reduced lighting and sounds so as to prevent any audience members from being startled during the performance itself.

The relaxed performance of “Billy Elliot” was not just for the sake of entertaining the service dogs as it was also intended more to provide training for the hounds. The dogs who were present for the show were asked to sit along theater seats and they were taught how to properly behave as the show progressed.

Speaking to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Laura Mackenzie, the owner and head trainer at K-9 Country Inn Working Service Dogs, said that the training was “important” for the dogs as it can prepare them to act accordingly in the future when the time comes for their handler to attend their preferred activities.

Mackenzie also pointed out that the dogs being at the performance was beneficial because it gave them an opportunity to be exposed to different kinds of lights and noises.

The theater company was also complimentary of the service dogs who were on hand for the relaxed performance of “Billy Elliot.” Stratford Festival spokesperson Ann Swerdfager said that the dogs were “extremely well-behaved” during the performance. Swerdfager also highlighted the way in which the dogs moved about the theater, saying that they acted just like people would for a performance.

It’s not just the service dogs and their potential future handlers who benefited from the recent relaxed performance. Swerdfager said that the dogs being in the audience also helped the performers. Thanks to the experience, the performers were able to get a sense of what it’s like to put on a show for an audience made up of people as well as some service dogs.

The hope here is that the training will make it possible for more people to attend theater shows.

More service dogs could also be heading to the theater sometime soon. Mackenzie already has plans to bring new service dogs to future performances.

While nothing is set in stone just yet, it’s possible that more service dogs could get a taste of the theater when a relaxed performance of “The Neverending Story” takes place in October. To be more specific, a relaxed performance of “The Neverending Story” is expected to take place on Oct. 2 at the Avon Theatre.

For those eager to see the service dogs as they were attending the show, K-9 Country Inn Service Dogs has an Instagram account featuring them.

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Brothers Rent Billboard and Start TikTok Account to Help Their Brother Find Love

Kevin Wells

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When 34-year-old Chris Cooke told his siblings he might give up on finding “the one,” his twin brother Henry and younger brother Jamie decided to step in and help. They launched the “Find Chris Love” campaign, complete with a dedicated TikTok account and even a billboard, to help Chris find the love of his life.

“Chris is an awesome guy. He’s smart, funny, charismatic, outgoing, and handsome, of course, but he doesn’t always have the best luck in the romance department, so we figured we’d step in and see if we could help him out,” said Henry and Jamie Cooke.

The brothers went all out with their campaign. They created car magnets to spread the word around their Colorado community and set up online dating profiles for Chris, all without his knowledge. They gave themselves 30 days to find Chris a match.

For those interested in knowing more about Chris, Henry and Jamie shared that he is about 6 feet 4 inches tall, enjoys running half marathons, and was a ballroom dance teacher in New York before moving to Colorado. They described him as “smart, loyal, and a blast to be around.”

The “Find Chris Love” TikTok account is gaining traction quickly, with thousands of likes and at least 180 followers in just three weeks.

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Woman Finds New Purpose Helping Hedgehogs

Jess

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Kitty Johnson was worried about feeling lonely when her son left for college. So, she found an unusual hobby – rescuing hedgehogs!

It all started in May 2023 when Kitty got a call about a sick hedgehog in a park. She rushed out with gloves and a box, found the little animal, and took it to a sanctuary. The hedgehog lived, and Kitty felt great about helping.

Kitty always loved nature, but she didn’t know much about hedgehogs before. She joined a group that helps these spiky creatures because she wanted to stay busy when her son went to college.

At first, Kitty answered phone calls about hedgehogs. But she wanted to be more active, so she became a “hedgehog driver.” Now she goes all over her town looking for hedgehogs that need help. She finds them in gardens, graveyards, and even compost bins!

In one year, Kitty has saved about 30 hedgehogs. Some were hurt or sick and needed to go to the vet. Others were babies left alone by their moms. Kitty says, “They’re not just cute but they’re also amazing animals, native to our country, that need protecting.”

Kitty made her own garden safe for hedgehogs. She put out food for them and made holes in her fence so they can travel through. She even has a camera to watch them!

Now Kitty is writing a book about hedgehogs. She says helping these animals makes her feel good and keeps her busy. Even though her son is away at school, Kitty found a new way to feel useful and happy.

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From Streets to Home: A Dog’s Remarkable Transformation

Renee Yates

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In a heartwarming tale that underscores the transformative power of love, a once “sad little street dog” found a forever home, dramatically altering its life for the better.

Initially discovered by an animal rescue center, the stray dog was in poor condition, with matted and dirty fur, and a noticeable wariness of humans. Its future seemed uncertain until a woman, moved by photographs she saw on Facebook, decided to adopt the little pooch.

The adoption marked a turning point in the dog’s life. Fast forward three months, and the shy, forlorn street dog has become a lively and joyful house pet. Photos shared by the new owner on Reddit capture this incredible journey, showing the dog happily playing in a grassy yard, grinning widely, and enjoying the company of a furry friend and a cozy bed.

The Reddit post, titled “From sad little street dog to happy housepet in three months,” quickly resonated with the community, garnering over 1,200 upvotes and a slew of positive comments. One user remarked, “So adorable. Thank you for taking care of him and giving him a lovely home and family.” Another noted, “He’s got such a personality! Shines through the photos. Thank you for saving him.” A third added, “Aww. What a darling. Glad you were there to take this honeyface in and give him the love that all the sweet pups deserve.”

The story also sheds light on the broader issue of homeless dogs. According to Dogster, around 100,000 canines are currently homeless in the UK. This poignant transformation underscores the profound impact that adopting a homeless pet can have, not just on the animal but also on the adopter. The woman who adopted the dog shared her feelings, saying, “He has done so much for us! He’s so sweet and easy to love, and he has completed our first dog’s life by being a patient and gentle best friend towards her (she can be very clingy)… It’s been awesome getting to know him and getting to see him get to be a puppy!”

This touching narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the difference a loving home can make, encouraging more people to consider adopting homeless animals. The joy and fulfillment that come with giving a pet a second chance are immeasurable, benefiting both the animal and its new family.

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High School President Expresses Gratitude with Personal Touch

Kevin Wells

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A high school class president in Massachusetts, showing a remarkable sense of appreciation, decided to honor each of his fellow graduates with personal thank-you notes. This touching gesture took center stage at their commencement ceremony.

Mason Macuch, the class president of Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville, MA , delivered a speech on June 7, where he revealed his thoughtful plan. “I wish I could’ve acknowledged you all, but there was simply not enough time,” he said. “Instead, I want you to reach under your chairs, where you will find a personal note that I’ve written to each of you as a way to say one final goodbye and thank you for making these years that will soon pass the ‘good ole days.’”

Under the chairs, the graduating seniors discovered 5-by-7-inch white cards, each containing a heartfelt message. Macuch had spent about 10 hours crafting these notes, a labor of love that reflected his connections with many of his classmates. “I just wrote anything from farewell messages to little memories that I had with whoever I was writing to, or maybe if it was a close friend, a longer message to them,” Macuch explained. “Anything that I could think of about the person I wanted to say about them before we graduated and went on our separate ways.”

The initiative required the approval of school administrators, and on the day of the ceremony, Macuch, along with an assistant principal and a teacher, arrived early to tape the cards under the chairs. His effort did not go unnoticed; many graduates thanked him personally, and parents expressed their appreciation through social media.

Macuch’s act of kindness was not just a farewell; it was a testament to the bonds formed over the years. “Some people I hadn’t talked to in a few years were just so thankful for them. It was really nice to see that they were just so appreciative of all the hard work that went into them, and it was a really nice way to say goodbye to everyone,” he reflected.

As he prepares to start college in the fall, with plans to study biochemistry, Macuch’s gesture serves as a lasting reminder of the power of gratitude and personal connection. His mother’s advice on writing thank-you notes undoubtedly played a significant role in this memorable act of appreciation.

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Cat Reunited with Owner 12 Years After Disappearing: ‘Didn’t Feel Real’

Kevin Wells

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A family that had lost hope of ever seeing their cat again received surprising news recently. After 12 long years, their cat, Artie, has been reunited with its owner.

Artie disappeared from the home of Theo-Will McKenna, 29, after the family moved from Blacon in Chester to Connah’s Quay in Flintshire, Wales, back in 2012. McKenna, who was 17 at the time, spent six months searching for Artie, but eventually, the family lost hope.

Then, just three weeks ago, Artie was discovered after spending four days in a garden close to where the family used to live in Connah’s Quay.

“I hadn’t been able to take him with me when I moved out, and my mom moved to Connah’s Quay with him, my brother, and our other pets,” McKenna explained. “I was in college in the area, so I’d pop back to visit once a week or so.” One day, when McKenna was visiting home, his mom reported that Artie was missing. “He hadn’t come back in a couple of days — and he’d never done that before. He used to come back every night.”

McKenna immediately went out to look for Artie, walking around the entire area with a bag full of treats but found nothing. He kept an eye out for Artie every time he was in the area, but there was no sign of him. “After about six months, I lost hope. I reached the point where I thought that either, God forbid, something had happened to him, or someone else had taken him in.”

Residents at the home where Artie was found took him to the vet, who discovered a microchip registered to McKenna’s mom, with a contact number for North Clwyd Animal Rescue (NCAR). NCAR picked up Artie and shared a post on Facebook to find his owners. A friend saw the post and recognized Artie, sending it to McKenna.

McKenna explained that Artie showed up in someone’s garden near where his mom had lived in Connah’s Quay. Artie stayed there for four days, not leaving at all. The vet’s office scanned Artie’s microchip and saw that it was still registered to McKenna’s mom at their old address. When they found out that she no longer lived there, they reached out to NCAR, who reclaimed Artie from the vet.

Artie had some medical issues that needed attention. He had some teeth removed, treatment for hyperthyroidism, and had precancerous lumps removed from his ears. NCAR got him stable and then posted about him on their Facebook page. “My friend saw it and sent me the post — it took me a second to recognize him because he looked so bedraggled and skinny,” McKenna said. “It didn’t feel real. I thought there was no way it could be him. It had been 12 years — he went missing when I was 17. I thought no cat could survive 12 years on the street.”

Once McKenna picked up Artie, he took him home to his current apartment, where Artie is now getting used to living with McKenna’s other cat. “We’re still in the trial period, but he’s been completely fine. He’s purring up a storm every time I go near him. My other cat has been a little bit wary, but we’ve been doing introductory methods and getting her used to his smell. It’s a slow process, but I’m absolutely determined that he’s staying with me.”

McKenna believes that people must have been looking after Artie over the years, putting out food or taking him in. “I don’t think he would have made it 12 years without community kindness.”

Artie is now 16 years old and will need ongoing medical care, with his medicine costing about $64 per month. McKenna has started a fundraiser online to help with the cat’s medical expenses. “I want him to be able to spend his twilight years somewhere that he’s loved — which will be here,” he said.

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