🐶 A Pile of Puppies to the Rescue

Good morning. We have something new to share.

Over the past few months, we have been working on ways to make your mornings feel lighter, calmer, and a little more grounded in the good. Starting today, you will notice a few new additions that preview our premium newsletter, which launches on December 15 and will be delivered five days a week.

You will see new sections like:

These new blocks are a small preview of what is coming. We hope they bring a little extra brightness to your morning.

—Stephanie S

Performing even one small act of kindness increases oxytocin levels, which help lower inflammation and support cardiovascular health.

Pile of Puppies, a Portland nonprofit, brings litters of puppies to the homes of seriously ill children, offering moments of pure joy and comfort. Founded by Jennifer Trepanier, who knows firsthand the healing power of puppy cuddles, the group has organized over 2,000 visits.

Children like Julia Stults, who battled ulcerative colitis, describe the experience as a bright spot during tough times. For families, seeing their child smile again is a priceless relief.

Volunteers set up a cozy play area, and the puppies do the rest, helping kids open up and feel happiness again.

Donations help fund these visits, spreading warmth and hope to families in need.

For over 50 years, Cricket Media has delighted children from babies to teens with award-winning magazines, including BABYBUG, LADYBUG, SPIDER, and CRICKET. Every issue sparks kids’ curiosity and imagination, inspiring them to explore, discover, and dream big. 

This holiday season is the perfect time to give the gift of reading while giving back. Cricket Media has partnered with Books4Kids, a pediatric literacy program sponsored by the Oakleaf Club, to create this special Buy One, Donate One opportunity.

Buy a 1-year magazine subscription for a child in your life and donate a second equivalent subscription to a hospitalized child at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center— both at 50% off. Your gift will bring the magic and joy of reading to kids who need it most. Embrace the season of giving and double your impact!

A kindhearted landscaper transformed a Vietnam veteran’s overgrown backyard into a peaceful haven, all at no cost. The veteran, who struggled to maintain the yard due to health issues, was deeply moved by the gesture.

The landscaper’s generosity didn’t stop there. He surprised the veteran with $14,000 and a car, gifts raised through community support.

This act of kindness brought hope and joy, showing the power of compassion and community.

Join us for the Kindness Chain Challenge this December. Do one small act of kindness each day and share your favorite moment with us (reply to this email). We will highlight a few of our favorites at the end of the month.

Good News Network fans will love this national bestseller that celebrates humanity at its best. Featured by the Wall Street Journal and People Magazine, HumanKind shares powerful good news stories that will lift your spirits and move your heart. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer and team gift. Plus, all royalties go to charity.

Praise for HumanKind:

“An elegant, wise book of love in action.” — Deepak Chopra

“The most uplifting and life-affirming book in years.” — Forbes

“This might be the most beautiful book I’ve ever read. It lifted my soul and brought me to tears in all the right ways.” — Jane Green, author of 18 New York Times bestsellers.

Black Friday savings include: $10 per book + free shipping on 5 copies.

Save 41% with the lowest prices of the year.

Close your eyes.

Inhale for four.

Hold for two.

Exhale for six.

Do this five times.

Your heart rate softens, and your body shifts into a calmer state.

With that little reset, here are some moments that brought us a smile.

💸 USA: A new survey shows Gen Z is defying stereotypes by being financially strategic, prioritizing budgeting, saving, and long-term planning over impulsive spending.

🎮 Australia: An Aboriginal community has launched a mobile game to help youth reconnect with and preserve the endangered language and culture.

🕊️ France: Bird populations are showing early signs of recovery after the EU banned bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticides.

🤠 California: A special rodeo day camp lets children with developmental challenges experience the joy of being cowboys and cowgirls.

👁️ Egypt: The country has successfully eliminated trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness, becoming the 26th nation to achieve this milestone.

60 years ago today, The Beatles released their sixth studio album, Rubber Soul, a record that marked a defining shift in the group’s sound and in pop music as a whole. The 14-track album showcased new influences that extended well beyond rock and roll, drawing on American soul, the introspective folk of Bob Dylan, and global instrumentation. George Harrison’s introduction of the sitar on “Norwegian Wood” kicked off a worldwide fascination with Indian music that continued well into the decade.

Rubber Soul also signaled a turning point in how albums were conceived. Instead of a collection of potential singles, the record was crafted as a cohesive artistic work, something that profoundly influenced Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson. With songs like “Drive My Car,” “Nowhere Man,” and “Michelle,” the album cemented its place in music history and later earned the number five spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest albums of all time.

Other notable December 3 events:

1805: The Lewis and Clark Expedition marked their location on a pine tree while exploring overland from the Missouri River to the Columbia River.

1967: Surgeons in Cape Town performed the first human heart transplant and the patient lived for 18 days with the new heart.

1992: Engineers at the Sema Group sent the world’s first SMS message over Vodafone’s network.

1976: A giant inflatable pig escaped during a Pink Floyd photo shoot, floating across London and prompting aviation warnings.

— Anne Wilson Schaef

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

💧 Island Desalination: Solar-powered desalination units are bringing clean water to remote island nations.

🌱 Disease Predictors: AI crop disease predictors are helping farmers prevent losses before outbreaks occur.

🤰 Remote Ultrasound: Tele-ultrasound devices are enabling doctors in remote areas to provide prenatal care.

🌍 Youth Summits: Global youth summits are fostering innovation and leadership for solving world issues.

🗣️ Remote Speech Therapy: Telehealth speech therapy is helping children overcome speech delays remotely.

A) Roscoe was taken in by a farm animal sanctuary until Tony recovers.

B) Roscoe was adopted by a local zoo.

C) Roscoe was given to a neighbor to care for permanently.

D) Roscoe was released into the wild.

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A) Roscoe was taken in by a farm animal sanctuary until Tony recovers.

When Tony James became homeless, a sanctuary stepped in to care for his pet pig, Roscoe, until Tony could get back on his feet, ensuring Roscoe was safe and well cared for during Tony's recovery.

Read the full story here.