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Teen Leaves Neighbor Message on Camera
Jacksen decided to ditch the tradition of "ding-dong-ditch" for a better message.
Jessica Adler
August 08, 2023
Welcome back to Faith & Joy, a 2x a week newsletter that makes you smile no matter how hard you try not to!
Hey everyone,
We’ve heard time and again that “it’s better to give than to receive.” But, did you know there’s actually some concrete science that backs that up? According to a recent study published by the Journal of Positive Psychology, accomplishing small acts of kindness can help alleviate people’s anxiety.
Not a huge people person? That’s alright because, as it turns out, it’s also kind to show affection toward animals. And what better way to do that than by petting?
A separate study shows that petting dogs, in particular, can have a positive and lasting effect on people’s health by lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone), among other things. Even better, this little petting perk appears to be a two-way street. It has positive impacts on our furry friends, as well as ourselves.
Speaking of helping out our animal pals, a rare walrus calf is currently being held under “24/7 cuddle care” after being rescued from “wandering alone” in Alaska. The adorable calf is a Pacific walrus and is estimated to only be about 1 month old. It was first spotted on August 1 on Alaska’s North Slope.
The sighting is unusual, as Pacific walruses are generally seen in ocean waters or along the western coastline. In fact, this walrus is 1 of only 10 ever taken in by the center in its entire 25-year existence. ❤️
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Today's Enjoyment:
Reel of the Day: This wily little fox knows exactly how to get her human’s attention.
Trending Loveable Stories:
Teen Leaves Neighbor Message on Camera
"Disfigured Dog" Comforts Hurting Humans
Quote: “You have to be willing to get happy…”
Loveable Stories 📰
Image courtesy of USA TODAY - Ashley Mann
OPTIMISM
In a world where pranks often rule the roost, a 13-year-old boy from Brainerd, Minnesota, chose to spread positivity instead.
Jacksen Proell, while hanging out with friends, decided to leave a heartwarming message on a neighbor's video doorbell. He chose this instead of participating in the age-old game of 'ding dong ditch.'
"You matter, alright?” Jacksen said in the video. “There's always going to be somebody that cares about you. You're a good person, no matter what people say.”
The recipient of this unexpected message was Ashley Mann, who was on vacation at the time. She received a notification about the video on her phone and decided to share it on TikTok.
The video quickly went viral, garnering over 830,000 heart reactions.
“I was watching the video and it really struck me and it was just super powerful,” Mann told USA TODAY. “I wanted more people to see it. I wanted to spread a positive message. I wanted those words to get out because this is a young kid saying it. It's not an adult saying it.”
Jacksen's mother, Carissa, was initially worried when she heard about the video. However, she was pleasantly surprised and proud when she finally saw it.
“He's such a sweet, amazing kid,” his mother shared. “It's not that I didn't expect him to leave something like that. But it was still just like, this guy right here … This is all him. He's just amazing and I was so proud.”
Jacksen, who has struggled with depression before, said he just wanted to say something nice. He didn’t do it for views or likes, but to spread positivity.
Mann, who works as a mental health guide at Central Lakes College, has started a GoFundMe to raise funds for mental health organizations in Brainerd. She believes Jacksen's message is a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness and mental health awareness.
“I could’ve been having the worst day of my life,” she said. “Jacksen could’ve left that message and it could’ve changed everything for me. Just watching, it changed a lot for me.”
Jacksen's simple act of kindness has not only touched his community but has also resonated with people worldwide, reminding everyone that kindness matters.
Image courtesy of Instagram - Best Boy Brodie
ANIMALS
Brodie, a German shepherd/border collie mix, has had a journey that showcases the power of love and acceptance.
Brodie's life began with hardship when his mother attacked him at just 13 days old, leaving his face permanently disfigured. Despite his serious cranial and facial injuries, Brodie survived and found shelter at Old MacDonald Kennels in Alberta, Canada. However, his journey was far from over.
A family adopted him, but returned him five months later due to his hyperactive personality.
The kennel shared pictures of Brodie online, leading to hundreds of adoption requests. Among the many interested parties, Amanda Richter and her boyfriend, Brad Ames, felt a special connection to Brodie.
"I looked at his photos every day and even cried a few times. We felt drawn to him for some reason," Amanda shared.
They visited the shelter and instantly knew that Brodie was meant to be theirs. Despite his unique look, they were determined to give him the love he deserved.
Brodie quickly adapted to his new home, impressing his owners with his intelligence and ability to learn new tricks quickly. Although his hyperactive nature required patience and consistency, Amanda and Brad were committed to helping him become an excellent companion.
"It’s actually funny because when we go to the dog park everyone notices how he is the happiest pup there and just wants to play and run," Amanda said.
Despite the uncertainty of how Brodie's early injuries might impact his health in the future, his owners are certain that he is a happy and healthy dog enjoying his new life.
Amanda and Brad have big plans for Brodie.
They hope to train him as a therapy dog to help others, particularly those with disabilities. They also aim to raise awareness for other special needs dogs, emphasizing that being different can be "perfectly imperfect." They have created an Instagram account for Brodie to share his adventures and raise awareness about dogs with disabilities.
"We hope that all this recognition will help others make the decision to adopt and rescue, especially those 'less than perfect' animals out there! They deserve love as much as anyone," they said.
Brodie's story is a heartwarming reminder of the power of love, acceptance, and second chances.
Quote of the Day 💭
“You have to be willing to get happy about nothing.”
On This Day In History…🗿
Did you know that on this day in history in 1303, an earthquake struck Crete with such force that it’s estimated to have had a magnitude of 8? It was so powerful it triggered a massive tsunami that swept ships 2 miles inland in Egypt and significantly damaged the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Later on…
In 1609, the Venetian senate examined Galileo Galilei's telescope for the first time
In 1709, Bartolomeu de Gusmao took the first known ride in a hot-air balloon (indoors)
Then, in 1786, the dollar was chosen as the monetary unit for the United States of America by U.S. Congress, shaping the global economy ever since.
In 1794, the search for the Northwest Passage began near Juneau, Alaska, and was led by Joseph Whidbey and George Vancouver.
In 1863, Tennessee Governor Andrew Johnson freed his personal slaves during the American Civil War and it was celebrated by Tennessee African Americans as an official holiday.
A little over a decade later, in 1876, US Patent 180,857 was granted to Thomas Edison for “Autographic Printing”
On August 8th,1882, snow fell on Lake Michigan.
Notable Birthdays
• 1763 Charles Bulfinch, who was the first U.S. professional architect, was born in Boston, Massachusetts
• 1814 American suffragist and anti-slavery activist Esther Morris [Esther Hobart McQuigg] was born in Tioga County, New York. She would later become the first female justice of the peace in the U.S.
• 1907 American Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, arranger, composer, and bandleader, (Bennett) "Benny" Carter was born in NYC, New York.
• 1927 American baseball player Johnny Temple was born.
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