The good guys thread

[kuhio98]

How great of you! I bet he is very happy to have you as neighbors!

Thank you, but please understand all of these stories are not about me. I'm not bragging about what a nice person I am
I'm collecting happy, positive stories out of the news and off the internet and just sharing them here. If the article includes the name of the person who posted it, I include it. But, most of the time, the originator is not referenced.

I'm hoping these give us all ideas of how we can help others in small or large ways. It takes so little to make a difference in a life -- whether it be a person or a pet.

[kuhio98]

Recently I was laid up for several days with the flu. I'm a working mother of four kids who doesn't have time to blink, let alone nap. After hearing that I wasn't feeling well, my neighbor came over and completely cleaned my house! She also did my laundry, made dinner for my family, and even baked peanut butter cookies for my kids. The fact that she found the energy (and the heart) to help me was really lovely.
-- Jodi, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

[robinh]

I really appreciate the fact that you post these stories. They make me smile knowing there are people out there still being "nice" to one another.

[kuhio98]

Comfort Dogs Help Those Grieving in Boston



As Boston struggles to recover from the bombing that occurred during the city's marathon on Monday, a group of furry friends is lending a paw to help with the healing process.

Comfort dogs trained by the Lutheran Church Charities have been deployed to the Massachusetts city to aid those affected by the tragedy. Three golden retrievers were flown in from the group's home base in Addison, Ill., to join two more retrievers who were already on the East Coast following the December shooting in Newtown, Conn.

"People talk to the dogs – they're like furry counselors," Tim Hetzner, president of Lutheran Church Charities, told TODAY.com. "It's a chance to help bring some relief to people that are shaken up because of the bombings." The pooches are set to remain in Boston through the end of the week, with plans to visit the area's hospitals, as well.

Each of the organization's 67 retrievers has undergone almost a year of service training, beginning at 6 weeks of age.

"They bring a calming effect to people," Hetzner added, "and help them process the various emotions that they go through in times like this."

[kuhio98]

Police Officer's Act of Kindness Makes Little Girl's Day



The world can always use more heroes. And in Oxnard, Calif., no one deserves that title this week quite like Officer Michael Kohr.

Responding to a report of child's stolen bike on Monday, Officer Kohr went above and beyond the call of duty – not just by lending a hand but by fixing the problem then and there for Nina Sanchez and her daughter Bella.

"On my way to take my daughter Bella on a bike ride, to our dismay we realized her cherished Minnie Mouse bike that Santa brought her had been stolen, along with our jogging stroller. To say we were heartbroken is an understatement," Sanchez wrote in a Facebook post that has gone viral.

"Through many tears and reassuring hugs I managed to call in a police report. This afternoon I received a call from Officer Kohr that he was on his way with a brand new Princess bike."

The policeman not only delivered the new bike but taught Bella how to ride it, added Sanchez, giving mom and daughter both a thrill.

"I can not fully express how grateful I am," Sanchez wrote. "He has left such an impression in our hearts, and am thoroughly impressed with his generosity. Thank you once again Officer Kohr."

The post has been liked almost half a million times, and the Oxnard Police Department is among those who are extremely proud of Officer Kohr's actions.

"We don't get emails/messages like this directly from community members often," the department wrote in reply to the photo Sanchez posted. "Thank you, Nina Sanchez for sharing! And, thank you Officer Michael Kohr for taking exceptional service to heart and going above and beyond!"

[kuhio98]

Because a Cloth Bag Can Save a Life

After hearing about poor living conditions in Malawi, Holly Petitt and her husband knew they had to help. So they started Africa Bags, a nonprofit that provides people in Malawi with the skills and tools they need to make cloth beach bags, backpacks, and shopping bags. Petitt has sold more than 10,000 of the bags here in the United States, with 100 percent of the profits going back to the seven villages in Malawi that participate. Get yours at africabags.org.

[kuhio98]

Gabe the dog rescued after falling into uncovered manhole in Olathe

Police, firefighters and several civilians sought to rescue the dog, named Gabe, after he fell into an uncovered manhole full of rushing water while being walked by his owner around 6 p.m.

Police said the manhole cover was dislodged during the recent storms.

Officers called in a special unit to lower a camera into the sewer to try and find Gabe. While he was located around 8:45 p.m., rescuers weren't able to get him out of the manhole for another hour.

More than a dozen people, including several firefighters and police officers, checked several manholes in the area as part of the search.

Other than being cold and wet, Gabe does not appear to be seriously injured.