Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF – Friyay Good News

It is Friday again, and time to prepare ourselves for the weekend. What better way than to have some good news to get us in the mood for fun.

Our first story is about a boy who cares.

Photo courtesy of the ASPCA

Evan Bisnauth lives in the Bronx with a primary passion for helping socialize adoptable dogs by reading to them regularly.

His favorite story to read to the dogs is “Belly Rubbins for Bubbins,” written by Jason Kraus.

Evan says, “The story is about a dog placed into the shelter and got adopted. I like reading that to the dogs because when I’m done reading the book, I’m like, ‘You will get adopted. Now I have hope for you’.”

The ASPCA announced the recipients of the 2021 Humane Awards, an event to honor people and pets from across the nation who have made outstanding contributions to animal welfare. Evan was named Kid of the Year. The good news here is even the smallest acts of kindness have significant results.

Our second story is about an 80-year-old guy with grit.

Photo courtesy of Norman Ruff / Photo: Ontario Provincial Police

Norman Ruff lives in a cottage near Port Carling in Muskoka, Ontario. Norman, an 80-year-old, and his wife Lois were awakened by a Black bear breaking through the kitchen window. The bear spotted Norman and stood up, and roared.

There was a disagreement about house ownership, and Norman punched the bear several times in the nose. The bear, not content to be bullied, slapped Norman several times and grabbed his hand in his mouth.

Finally, Norman managed to open the front door, and the bear eventually found his way out.

Norman was taken to the hospital in Bracebridge, where he became a celebrity among the staff for fighting a bear with his fists. The bear did not require medical attention.

On October 26, 2021, Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police detachment commander Inspector Burton and Superintendent Houliston presented Norman with an award for bravery. There are no reports on the bear receiving an award as well. The good news here is both the bear and the man lived to meet again.

Today’s John Ku talks about kindness. I hope you have a great weekend.

Kindness is a gift,

That if shared unselfishly . . .

Will come back bigger.

98 comments

  1. So very true Boss. Kindness is the biggest win of all. Here’s to Evan and Norman and all those who practice kindness every single day.

    Happy Friday

    Liked by 3 people

    1. To you as well, Marc.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I love your kindness Haiku, John. Thanks for sharing these lovely stories. Have a wonderful weekend πŸ™‚πŸ’•

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I hope you have a lovely weekend as well, Harmony.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing, John. I love your John Ku too!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Jill. Have a super weekend too. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Wonderful stories of kindness (Lord knows we can use them these days more than ever) and a terrific haiku. Thanks for taking us into the weekend on such a positive note, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Lori. 😊

      Like

  5. Dear John,
    the German writer Bert Brecht praised kindness as the most important virtue.
    Lovely stories, thank you for sharing them.
    Have a great weekend
    The Fab Four of Cley
    πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Klausbernd. Wishing you a wonderful weekend as well. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Gwen M. Plano · ·

    I love your haiku and stories, John. Kindness abounds but is so often overshadowed by its opposite. Thank you for this morning’s refreshment and reminder. πŸ’—

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think we all need to think about kindness everyday. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. ❀️

      Liked by 1 person

  7. A terrific Good News Day post, John. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Dont you just loved that 80 year old. I ran that story to remind myself to punch a bear if necessary. Thanks, GP.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I thought a punch like that was for sharks – glad he got away it!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes. I guess it works on bears too.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. πŸ‘

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Given how the animal would usually be killed, I’d say the bear won by surviving. Read recently that you have a better chance against a black bear than a brown bear. Former is not as aggressive and can be scared off.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I wouldn’t want to face either. 😳

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Such beautiful stories of kindness. They are examples of what the world needs now. Thank you for sharing, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Karen. I agree.

      Like

  10. I love these stories, John. What a fabulous way to end the week. Happy weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy weekend to you as well, Staci. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  11. I swear I’ve read somewhere that whacking a bear in the nose is the right way to send it off. In any event, it worked for this fellow, and all was more-or-less well. Great story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Linda.I’m glad you liked it.

      Like

  12. Thank you for the heartwarming good news stories. I couldn’t agree more with your JohnKu!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Liz. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Love these stories – a wonderful way to start the weekend. Thanks, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Teri. I hope you have a great weekend

      Like

  14. It’s good to hear nice things on Friday. Thanks, John. πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Tim. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Wonderful stories that I somehow missed in the headlines.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yeah, you don’t see headlines on these stories. Thanks, Craig.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I guess in bear talk a punch in the nose is kindness. They just have a totally different level of ‘kindness’. Good stories John. Have a great weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes. He was willing to punch back in kindness.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. What a beautiful JohnKu this week. Evan is a kind boy who will grow into a kind man. Norman sports the right last name! Ruff! I love that “There was a disagreement about house ownership,” What a feisty guy. I love that he was able to open the door and just let him out. My goodness. What a story! Those Canadians, eh? πŸ˜‰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Those Canadians is right. What a guy. Thanks, Dale.😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. We have our moments πŸ˜‰
        Have a fabulous evening!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes you do. Wonderful moments.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. You are adorable! xoxo

        Liked by 1 person

      4. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  18. You’ve definitely made this a Friyay, John. I loved the story about the boy. And you slayed me with “The bear did not require medical attention.” So glad that one ended well.
    Have a wonder-filled weekend. Sharing. Hugs on the wing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think you were the only one to catch that bit of humor. At least the only one to mention it. Thanks, Teagan. Have a terrific weekend too.

      Like

  19. I can’t imagine tangling with a bear, but I love the story about the boy who reads to shelter pups. What a great way to show them somebody cares! Thanks for your upbeat Friday news, John — now, have a wonderful weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Debbie. Have a wonderful weekend as well.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. I love these stories, John. Both of them put a smile on my face. Your kindness John Ku is so true! Happy Friday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Joan.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Evan and Norman are not only two great stories, but also two that were new to me. Thumbs up – and have a good weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Frank. Have a good weekend as well.

      Like

  22. Both of these stories brought tears to my eyes, John. To see a boy who has learned at such a young age what true kindness and caring is all about is truly a beautiful thing. And to see a gentleman of slightly more advanced years whose determination to protect his hearth and home from an apparently hungry bear is jaw-dropping. BOTH tales will keep me smiling all day long, while longing for more stories like these to uplift and inspire!

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing. You’ve made my whole day!! πŸ€—

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Forgot to say that your John Ku was absolute perfection! 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Aw. Thanks. 😁

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I’m glad you liked them. Thanks, Marcia.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Wow! That second story brought a whole new meaning to tangling with a bear. And what an amazing young man, Evan is. Great good news stories!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Thanks John. These sure made me smile. πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad. 😊

      Like

  25. Oh, John, such good stories! I love the Evan story giving hope that these dogs find their forever homes. And that 80 year old is a fighter! Thanks for bringing us good stories. Have a good weekend. Good fall weather here. Christmas tree lighting tomorrow night in CC. Seems early, but bring it on. Cheers!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Have a great weekend, Jo. I love those tree lighting’s.

      Like

  26. Such great stories, John, and love your JohnKu, also. That 80-year-old man, wow! He sure had some grit along with some luck. πŸ™‚ Evan’s story is heartwarming. Have a good weekend! πŸ₯°

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Have a good one as well. Lauren. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. petespringerauthor · ·

    I look forward to your good news stories each Friday. My favorite line was, “The bear did not require medical attention.”🀣

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad, Pete. That was my line.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. petespringerauthor · ·

        I thought so. 😎

        Liked by 1 person

  28. Such good news! The one about the pet shelter really warmed my heart:)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes it is a good story. Thanks, Becky.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. D.L. Finn, Author · ·

    I loved both of the stories, John πŸ™‚ Thank you for sharing them!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you did, Denise. 😁

      Like

  30. Was that Norman’s title eliminator or just a potential eliminator? It sounds like the bear needs to consider a change in his management team.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Needs a little more road work if you ask me.

      Like

      1. Exactly. More gravel needs to be rubbed into his hair

        Liked by 1 person

  31. Great stories today, John. I love that Norm stood up to a bear – that’s crazy. The shelter story is definitely a feel-good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes it is and Norm seems to be a bit crazy.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Two great stories, John. I’m especially proud of Evan!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yup. Thanks Jennie.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for sharing my post.

      Like

  33. Adore these stories!
    The John Ku is right on.
    Kindness reaps many rewards
    PS. Love the funny little spins on the Norman Ruff/bear saga!
    Thank you! .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Resa. Had to spin some funnies

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Two great stories, John. Kid of the Year – what a nice recognition. And I’ve never heard of punching a bear in the nose. Way to go Norman Ruff! I’m slightly obsessed about what to do if I ever encounter a bear. I knew I could punch a shark in the nose (I’d be way too afraid to carry that out), but I’ll work the bear-punch strategy into my survival skills.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Where are you going to find a bear sparring partner? That will be the tough part.

      Like

    1. Thank you for sharing my Friyay post.

      Like

    1. Thanks for sharing, Michael.

      Liked by 1 person

  35. What an great idea reading to dogs. But dont read them thrillers, or about local news. Lol
    The second story is as horrible as funny. Seems in Ontario are many fearless people. Thanks for sharing the news, John! Enjoy a wonderful week! xx Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I chose it because the guy is my age. I would have been out the back door for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

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