Animals are our Happy Headlines

Emotional Support Dogs

Richocet & Balboa: Paying the Love Forward

One of the stars from the movie called Superpower Dogs, Ricochet, is truly super! In 2009, Ricochet suddenly jumped on a surfboard with a boy who is quadriplegic. In was beautiful to watch and began Ricochet’s life as a canine-assisted surf therapy dog. In the video above, Beastly gives us a great look at Richochet in his element.

It doesn’t stop there, Ricochet’s guardian & trainer, Judy Fridono, wrote to us saying,

“Ricochet’s entire life had been remarkably busy providing in-person support to others. But when Covid arrived, everything came to a complete stop. Because Ricochet had too much time on her paws, coupled with her need for human interaction, I was afraid she would not survive the pandemic. She’s 13 ½ years old now and I worried she would feel her life no longer had meaning and would check out.”

Friodono continued, “That is when I enlisted Ricochet’s help in the training of a PTSD service dog puppy for Staff Sergeant Persons B. Griffith IV Ret (Griff), a Marine combat veteran with PTSD. Training is time intensive… and they certainly had an over-abundance of time. So, Ricochet became a mentor to the puppy (named Balboa) , and the puppy became a paw·té·gé to Ricochet!”

Balboa will know without Griff saying a word. Balboa will know when Griff is anxious, having a panic attack or a night terror. Balboa will now how to calm Griff and help him navigate through recovery. Balboa will know beuase Richochet will teach him.”

This story of Ricochet passing this down to Balboa who will help one of America’s veterans so so incredible moving to us! If you like to help with supporting emotional support dogs please contact Judy Fridono at [email protected].

To learn more about Ricochet, go to surfdogricochet.com and follow her on social media at @SurfDogRicochet. Thank you so much for sharing this, Judy!

*Photo on Home Page from Beastly You Tube featuring SuperpowerDogs and Barcroft

Saving Others

Mom Saves Osprey 

Ospreys are beautiful birds. Sometimes called the “River Hawk”, they dive feet first into the water to grab fish. They can get completely wet from head to talon, grab their prey and usually fly off.

But sometimes a dive can go wrong. The prey can be too big and can drag the bird into the water.

Here’s a video from The Dodo that is a small moment of kindness from a Mom when her familt comes across a distressed Osprey! Moms Rock!

TAke The LEap

Cat Makes a Daring 5-Story Jump

We have all heard that we should “take the leap”… well this cat takes it to new extremes. As an Englewood building burns in Chicago, the cat seems trapped on the fifth floor.

In the video above from ABC 7 Chicago, you can see him/her weighing the options from the window for some time… then in the most graceful way the leap is taken and the cat completely walks away unhurt.

Two things come to mind: Who says black cats are unlucky and how many lives did this amazing cat cash in for that jump?

Front Lawn Messages

Inspiring Thoughts From Rubber Yellow Ducks

Just like in life, during the lockdown, we all needed a little extra inspiration. According to the Good News Network, Jim Preston from Menlo, California found a very unique and incredibly fun way to share meaningful thoughts on his from lawn… he used Yellow Rubber Ducks!

For many months, Jim has been changing the encouraging lawn notes every morning from “Be Kind” to “No Fear” to “Be Strong”, the little ducks are lined up to share a trail of words.

Passerbys loved the messages so much that they kept coming back to see what the duckies would spell. Then the word got out and now people are coming from all over to see Jim’s front lawn. Look at some of Jim’s messages here

Did You Know?

• A snail can sleep for 3 years (welcome to our life during Co-vid!). 
• An Octopus has three hearts.
• Reindeer eyes turn blue in the winter so they can see in lower lights.
• Honeybees can flap their wings 200 times per second.

Thank you The Carousel for these wonderful animal facts. Want more? Read more Here.

More Insidewink Artists

insidewink has had the privilege of speaking with many artists over the years. From painters to sculptors to writers to a puffer fish (yes… a fish) all creating beauty and resonating with us.

Find Them HERE