The Great Koala Rescue

Symbol of hope for Australians during the recent bushfires in Victoria. Courtesy of Bear Lover.

On Happy News, we found a sweet story about two koalas who were caught in the Victorian bushfires and were rescued and subsequently became best friends.

According to the story, Aussies Find Symbols of Hope in Two Koalas volunteer firefighter David Tree used a mobile phone to photograph and film the rescue of a bewildered female (Sam) that was found cowering in a burned-out forest.

Photos and a video of Tree approaching Sam while talking gently to her and feeding her water from a plastic bottle as she put her burned claw in his cold, wet hand quickly hit YouTube, making her an Internet sensation.

“But it was after reaching a wildlife shelter that Sam met and befriended another koala, nicknamed Bob, who was saved by wildlife workers on Friday, two days before Sam, in Boolarra, about 110 miles from Melbourne.”

He stumped them all

Jack Volhard: “Older dogs can learn new things...". Courtesy of Corinne Wan

And if you think old dogs can’t learn new tricks, think again.

Stump, a 10-year-old Sussex spaniel (that’s 70 in human years) has won The Best of Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, making him the oldest dog ever to win the title.

Stump’s story is like that of the comeback dog. He nearly died four years ago from a bacterial infection and everyone had written him off, including his handler Scott Sommer who considered euthanising him at one point.

“It’s fantastic that an old dog was recognised,” said a dog owner at the event.

In the discussion forum at Every Dog Has His Day Jack Volhard, the author of 12 books, including “Dog Training for Dummies” has this to say: “Older dogs can learn new things, though it may take a little longer than with a youngster. But then, what else is new? Teaching tricks is the best way to keep an old dog’s mind active; it’s also good exercise. And dogs love to compete. They are just as competitive when they’re old, within the limits of their physical ability. Most of all, it keeps them young at heart!”

Sounds familiar, right?