Author: sg4vo

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want to spend it surrounded by your loved ones — and for many couples, that includes their pets. We’ve seen many stories of couples including their beloved pets in their big day, even making them the “best man.” But one story will truly tug at your heartstrings: a dog dying from cancer hung on just long enough to see his owners down the aisle. Kelly O’Connell, a veterinarian, was just 19 when she laid eyes on Charlie, a black Lab mix. The dog had been found abandoned in a shopping cart in the middle of winter. While Kelly wasn’t planning on adopting a dog at the time, she knew it was love at first sight. “I don’t know what it was. I was just like, ‘Yeah, this is my dog. I’m taking him home,’” she told the Denver Channel. Kelly and Charlie soon became best friends, and he changed her life. The very active, playful dog inspired the owner to take up running. Her dog was so important that when she met her future husband James Garvin, also a veterinarian, one of her biggest concerns was if he and his… CONTINUE READING…

“Please come over and help me. I have a challenging jigsaw puzzle, and I can’t figure out how to get started.” Her boyfriend asks, “What is it supposed to be when it’s finished?” “What is it supposed to be when it’s finished?” “According to the picture on the box, it’s a rooster.” Her boyfriend decides to go over and help with the puzzle. When he arrives, he sees puzzle pieces scattered all over the table. He takes a moment to examine the pieces and then looks at her with a smile, “First of all, no matter how we try, these pieces won’t resemble a rooster. Secondly, let’s not stress about it. How about we have a nice cup of tea and… put all these Corn Flakes back in the box?”

In 1635, the eternally enthusiastic traveller and soldier Lt Hammond arrived at the ‘pretty haven’ of Arundel, ‘graced with an ancient, strong and stately castle… sweetly and naturally situated upon a graceful ascent close by a pleasant river [the Arun]’. In what he later describes as ‘this princely castle’, he enjoyed ‘a full ample and contentive view of all the stately rooms and fair towers, the delightful gardens, large wooded parks and pleasant waters’. Passing through the surviving ‘double strong gatehouse’ of the castle that served as the lodging of the constable, warder and porter, he entered a ‘spacious, large court built about every way’. To his right was a ‘lofty, large and stately old hall’, then under repair, with ‘ample pastries, kitchens and larders’ between it and the gatehouse. On the far side of the court were more fashionable domestic chambers, including ‘a spacious, goodly dining room with windows castle-like, in which hangeth a rich, curious picture with our blessed Saviour on the cross’. This was the converted medieval castle chapel with its altarpiece intact. Fig 1: Henry Yevele’s gate and barbican, superbly detailed in knapped flint. Arundel Castle, West Sussex. ©Paul Highnam for Country Life. ‘Adjoining thereunto,’ he… CONTINUE READING…

Little Johnny’s Classroom Fart Little Johnny lets out a fart in the classroom, causing his teacher to become upset and eject him from the room. A Laugh Outside Seated outside the classroom, Little Johnny finds himself unable to contain his laughter. Encounter with the Principal Passing by, the principal notices Johnny and inquires about his laughter. Johnny’s Explanation Johnny explains, “I farted in class, and the teacher threw me out.” The Principal’s Confusion The principal probes further, “Then why are you laughing?” Johnny’s Retort “Because those idiots are stuck in the class smelling my fart while I’m out here enjoying the fresh air!”

Dogs are not something we deserve, to put it simply. A recent tragic case included a dog that traveled 125 miles to return to the home she had known after being brutally abandoned just a few months after being purchased. Bull mastiff breeder Alla Morozova in Novosibirsk, Siberia sold a couple Manora, or Maru, while she was still a five-month-old puppy. Maru’s owner informed the kennel six months later that she was no longer wanted since she was “allergic” to her. The couple put Maru on a train with a guard so they could take her back to her breeder. Yet the train ride turned out to be a terrible and unpleasant experience for Maru. The unfortunate dog had a panic attack as the train came to a stop 125 kilometers from her home in the Achinsk station. According to breeder Morozova, the dog jumped on the compartment door, kicked the handle to open it, and almost pushed the conductor aside. She burst through the door. The moment the platform door opened, she fled into the darkness. Maru was unhappy and simply wanted to return home, thus she was oblivious that she was being abandoned. Maru exited the train without… CONTINUE READING…

So you’ll probably be wondering what happened to her from then on.Well, there’s some good news about Céline’s career. Recently, German singer Helene Fischer, who also hosts her own show, decided to invite the little girl to duet.

The imposing ruins of this once-mighty castle cling to the rocky cliffs of Caithness, at the southeastern end of Sinclair Bay, near Noss Head. Much of the castle’s history is shrouded in mystery, but our best guess is that it was begun in the late 14th century by the Sinclair’s, Earls of Orkney and later to become Earls of Caithness. The tower house HISTORY Very little remains of the 14th-century castle beyond a few foundation walls. By the middle of the 15th century, the Sinclairs began to expand their original fortress, and expansion continued for the next 200 years, until the castle became a symbol of Sinclair power and prestige in the north of Scotland. Much of the building was carried out by William, 2nd Earl of Caithness (1480-1513), who built the curtain walls with ranges of domestic buildings, making Girnigoe ready for use as his principal residence. Unfortunately, Earl William died at the Battle of Flodden in 1513 Work was completed by his son, John Sinclair, the 3rd Earl, who added more domestic buildings in the outer ward. The 4th Earl made Girnigoe his chief residence and rebuilt the tower house at the centre of the fortress. The 5th… CONTINUE READING…

The Story of Lucca, the Retired Military DogLucca, a brave U.S. Marine Corps dog, served her country with distinction and saved countless lives during her military career. Her story is one of loyalty, courage, and the special bond between a military dog and her handler. Background: Lucca was a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix, trained as a specialized search dog. She began her service in the Marine Corps at the age of two and quickly proved herself to be an invaluable asset in combat zones. Military Service: Lucca served two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan over a six-year career. She was trained to detect explosives and played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of U.S. troops. Heroic Acts: During her deployments, Lucca conducted over 400 missions. Her keen sense of smell and rigorous training allowed her to locate numerous IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and other hidden threats. Her work directly saved the lives of many soldiers by preventing potential ambushes and attacks. The Fateful Day: On March 23, 2012, while on patrol in Afghanistan with her handler, Corporal Juan Rodriguez, Lucca detected an IED. She alerted the patrol and began her search for additional explosives. Tragically, during the… CONTINUE READING…

The Story of Army Specialist Vanessa GuillénOne of the most heart-wrenching stories in recent memory is that of U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén, whose tragic death brought national attention to issues of sexual harassment and violence within the military. Background: Vanessa Guillén was a 20-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. She was a dedicated and passionate service member who had dreams of advancing her career in the Army. Vanessa was known for her bright spirit and commitment to her duties. The Disappearance: On April 22, 2020, Vanessa was reported missing. Her disappearance raised alarm among her family and fellow soldiers, especially as her belongings, including her keys and ID, were found at her workplace. The Investigation: The investigation into her disappearance revealed shocking and troubling details. Before her disappearance, Vanessa had confided in her family that she was being sexually harassed by a superior. She had not officially reported the harassment due to fear of retaliation. The Tragic Discovery: After weeks of searching and increasing public outcry, Vanessa’s remains were found on June 30, 2020, near the Leon River in Bell County, Texas. She had been brutally murdered. The investigation revealed that Specialist Aaron Robinson, a fellow soldier, was… CONTINUE READING…

St Conan’s Kirk is an extraordinary early 20th-century church on the shore of Loch Awe, built by Walter Douglas Campbell, brother of the 1st Lord Blythswood, and incorporating fragments of carving from Iona. In the 1870s a new railway line was built along the north shore of Loch Awe, linking Dalmally and Taynuilt. Douglas Campbell took advantage of easy access to the loch to purchase the island of Innischonan and build a mansion for himself, his mother, and his sister Helen. Tradition suggests that Campbell’s mother found the carriage ride to Dalmally church too taxing, so Campbell decided to build a new church on the shore.  Campbell began building a small cruciform church here in 1881, situated where the nave of the current church stands. This was complete by 1886. But it was not long before Campbell decided to create something far more elaborate and grandiose. In 1907 he began a much larger, more ornate building, and entirely rebuilt the earlier structure. Campbell died in 1914 and the work was carried on by his sister Helen. Then she died in 1927, so it was not until 1930 that the building was finally consecrated.  Romanesque entrance doorway Why did it take… CONTINUE READING…