Hikers Reach 8,000-Foot Mountain Summit And Discover A Dog Unable To Move; The Dodo, December 20, 2025

Alana Francis-Crow, The Dodo; Hikers Reach 8,000-Foot Mountain Summit And Discover A Dog Unable To Move

"A few years ago, married couple Maxime and Issy hiked up Bobotov Kuk, the tallest peak in Montenegro. When they reached the mountain’s summit, they were surprised to find a dog lying on his side, unable to move.

The dog had an old bandage wrapped around his leg and was clearly underweight. Despite his severe injuries, he was still friendly and could tell the couple wanted to help. As they bent down to offer him water and a can of tuna, he wagged his tail...

When Maxime finally reached the bottom of Bobotov Kuk, he heard from Issy that while she’d been getting organized to take care of the dog, she’d rescued a little stray kitten named Voli. The couple couldn’t believe that they’d somehow saved and adopted two animals in one day...

These days, Bobo and Voli spend their days traveling the world with their parents in their camper van. During the day, they like to explore the outdoors, and at night, they get cozy in the van...

Given how happy and energetic Bobo is now, it’s hard to imagine that just a few years ago, he was abandoned on a mountain with a bullet wound. Thanks to Maxime and Issy, he got a second chance and a beautiful new life."

Climber Sees Wings Trapped Under A Boulder And Saves Majestic Animals; The Dodo, November 13, 2024

Maeve Dunigan , The Dodo; Climber Sees Wings Trapped Under A Boulder And Saves Majestic Animals

"Working together, rescuers removed the heavy boulders and carefully secured both eagles in crates. They swiftly brought the birds to Raven Ridge for further assessment.

Rehabilitators treated the birds’ wounds and tested them for lead poisoning. With continued therapy and care, the eagles recovered. They became increasingly spicy and aggressive, signaling that they were preparing to return to their home outdoors.

The eagles were ready for release by Veterans Day, making the moment especially emotional for all involved...

“By caring for both eagles, we were able to reunite them for their release,” Raven Ridge wrote in a Facebook post. “We believe they are a mated pair, and releasing them together not only honors their bond but embodies the spirit of resilience and hope that Veterans Day represents.”

So 2 Goats Were Stuck On A Beam Under A Bridge ...; NPR, Goats and Soda, April 6, 2018

Marc Silver, NPR, Goats and Soda; So 2 Goats Were Stuck On A Beam Under A Bridge ...

[Kip Currier: Amidst many "heavy" and thorny ethics-related stories/topics lately, here's a feel-good story about compassion, ingenuity, and persistence, from right here in Western Pennsylvania.
--May make your palms sweat a bit, picturing these unshrinking Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Samaritans and two plucky goats...]

""The initial plan was to try and separate the goats so we could could grab the goat facing the wrong way and turn it around," McCarthy says. But the white goat wasn't cooperating.

"I said, 'I'm going for it,' " he recalls. "I grabbed the goat as tight as I could." And he lifted it into the bucket.

The white goat was deposited on the bridge and handed over to its owner's son. McCarthy then tapped the beam with a pole to encourage the brown goat to make its way back.

Asked about the possible cost of the rescue, Tilson says, "We didn't even calculate it. We were just trying to be a good neighbor and get the goats back safely."

McCarthy is a happy man. "In this day and age, when things can go terribly wrong," he says, "it was great to see things go right."

His success is a testimony to a value that is sometimes lost in our quick-attention-span age: persistence.

"There was no way," he says, "I was letting go of that goat."

Meanwhile, no word on how the goats are faring, but I'm sure they would agree with a classic proverb from Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav: "The whole world is a very narrow bridge; the important thing is not to be afraid.""