Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF Fri-Yay Good News

Today’s good news story comes from ABC News and Milwaukee affiliate WISN. Here it is as reported on MSN.

First responders adopt dogs they helped rescue from plane crash

Story by Meredith Deliso •

First responders who raced to the scene after a plane carrying more than 50 shelter dogs crash-landed onto a Wisconsin golf course this week have helped rescue the pets in more ways than one.

The large twin-engine aircraft, transporting the dogs to shelters in southeastern Wisconsin from Louisiana, crashed on the golf course at the Western Lakes Golf Club in Pewaukee on Tuesday.

WISN – PHOTO: A plane transporting over 50 dogs to shelters crash-landed at the Western Lakes Golf Club in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Nov. 15, 2022.
© Provided by ABC News

Three people and 53 dogs on board all survived, with some animals suffering minor injuries like bumps and scrapes. Authorities said that the three people were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

In the days following the crash, several first responders who worked the scene adopted the dogs they helped rescue.

“As soon as I found out all of them were okay, my first thought was that one of them is coming home with me. So this is my little Lucky,” Elle Steitzer, a firefighter, and EMT at Lake Country Fire Rescue, told ABC Milwaukee affiliate WISN while cradling her new puppy.

WISN - PHOTO: A plane transporting over 50 dogs to shelters in crash-landed at the Western Lakes Golf Club in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Nov. 15, 2022.

WISN – PHOTO: A plane transporting over 50 dogs to shelters crash-landed at the Western Lakes Golf Club in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Nov. 15, 2022.© Provided by ABC News

Streitzer and two of her colleagues at Lake Country Fire Rescue, who responded to the scene of the plane crash, adopted dogs on Friday.

“He just kind of fell out of the sky in front of me, so here he is,” Amber Christian, a firefighter, and paramedic with Lake Country Fire Rescue, told WISN of her dog, Artemis.

WISN - PHOTO: Amber Christian, a firefighter and paramedic with Lake Country Fire Rescue, with Artemis.

WISN – PHOTO: Amber Christian, a firefighter, and paramedic with Lake Country Fire Rescue, with Artemis.© Provided by ABC News

Deputy Chief Tony Wasielewski said Marley jumped into his arms after the crash. The next day, he went to find her at the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County, which took in 21 of the dogs involved in the crash.

“When they let her in the door, she bypassed my wife, ran to me, jumped kind of into my arms, gave me kisses. I started to tear up a little bit, and I said, ‘Oh boy, I guess we got a dog,'” Wasielewski told WISN.

WISN - PHOTO: Deputy Chief Tony Wasielewski with Marley.

WISN – PHOTO: Deputy Chief Tony Wasielewski with Marley.© Provided by ABC News

The dogs were taken to shelters in counties across Wisconsin.

Elmbrook Humane Society took 11 dogs, with “first dibs” going to the first responders of the plane crash.

“We had quite a few of them calling asking,” Stephanie Deswarte, a front desk manager for the shelter, told ABC News.

“We normally don’t let people adopt until we have them up on our website because we want to give anybody as fair of a chance as possible. But since they were obviously in the thick of it, and they did such a great job trying to help with the whole crazy situation, that we gave all first responders first dibs, so to speak, to adopt before they went up on the website,” she continued.

Deswarte said so far, three people involved in the rescue — one of the first responders on the scene, another first responder, and a worker at the golf course — have adopted the puppies Charlie Brown, Linus, and Sally, while the family of another first responder was looking at adopting a puppy on Saturday.

“We have never had something quite like this happen before,” Deswarte said. “It was a miracle that everybody really was okay.”

Matthew Haerter, assistant chief at Lake Country Fire and Rescue, commended the pilot during what he described as a “relatively catastrophic landing.” The plane went through trees, losing both its wings before it belly-landed on the course.

“I think all of us collectively have a soft spot in our heart, especially for dogs that have been rescued,” Haerter said during a press briefing Tuesday. “And now to think that they have to go through this before they find their forever home.”

“This could have turned out so much worse,” he said.

Local authorities had no comment on the cause of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

The good news here is people opened their hearts to those who had suffered enough. Today’s JohnKu carries the same message. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Grace by John W. Howell © 2022

The end of the road,

Comes fast for those who struggle . . .

Extend them some grace.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF Good News Fri-Yay

Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network.  Here it is in its entirety.

Jeff Bezos presents Dolly Parton with the Courage and Civility Award – Twitter

Jeff Bezos Just Gave $100 Million to Dolly Parton for Her Charity as the 3rd Winner of His ‘Courage & Civility Award’ Prize

At a recent event, Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos named Dolly Parton as the latest winner of his Courage and Civility Award.

The award recognizes leaders who “aim high, find solutions, and always do it with civility.” Each awardee receives 100 million dollars to invest in the charities of their choice.

In Dolly’s case, the mega-donation could be invested in her Imagination Library, which two months ago hit the milestone of 190 million free books gifted to children.

“(She) embodies these ideals so thoroughly,” said Bezos, who stepped down from CEO of his company last year to focus on philanthropy.

“She gives with her heart. What she’s done for kids and literacy, and so many other things, is just incredible.”

In her acceptance remarks, Dolly said, “When people are in the position to help, you should help.” She thanked Bezos and said she believes he gives from the heart too.

The 58-year-old tech billionaire is the world’s fourth richest person. He told CNN last week that he was setting up the foundations for the ability to give away the vast majority of his $124 billion fortune during his lifetime.

A year ago, Bezos pledged $10 billion over 10 years to the Bezos Earth Fund to expand and monitor protected areas and conservation. That was on top of the ten thousand million he’d already devoted towards combating climate change.

In 2021, he awarded the first two Courage and Civility Awards, accompanied by the same amount of money. The first winner was José Andrés, who feeds masses of people after humanitarian disasters with his nonprofit World Central Kitchen—with some of those millions going to help war-torn Ukrainians.

Van Jones, whose work in the nonprofit world, mainly in the sphere of criminal justice reform, received the second.

In 2018, Bezos topped the Philanthropy 50 list, ranking as the US’s biggest donor, compiled by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

His former wife and partner of 23 years, MacKenzie Scott, has given away close to $4 billion, donating to 465 organizations in less than a year.

The good news here is the fourth richest man in the world feels a responsibility to pay his good fortune forward. Today’s JohnKu talks about responsibility. I hope you have a super week

Giving by John W. Howell © 2022

He has committed,

Billions to improve the world . . .

Do we want to help?

Friday JohnKu – AKA -TGIF -Fri-Yay/Good News

INSTAGRAM/BIGDOGRANCHRESCUE

 

Today’s Good News Story comes from The Dodo. Here it is in its entirety.

* * *

Florida Rescue Fills Bus With Lost Animals Left Behind After Hurricane

“It’s just heartbreaking on so many levels

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian late last month, families devastated by the floodwaters tried to put the pieces of their lives back together. Lost pets wandered the streets, hoping someone might help them.

Luckily, the Big Dog Ranch Rescue bus was on its way.

Flush with pet food, blankets, crates, and other supplies, the rescue bus made its way through the Florida streets, ready to help anyone in need.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue executive director Robin Friedman was heavy-hearted as she met scores of pets separated from their homes.

“It’s just heartbreaking on so many levels,” Friedman told The Dodo.

Soon, their bus was full of lost dogs who were all happy to be on their way to a safe place where they could recuperate.

bus full of crates
INSTAGRAM/BIGDOGRANCHRESCUE

The rescue’s mission is to reunite families with their pets. They don’t want anyone who’s already lost so much to have to lose their dog, too. They’ve been happy to provide temporary shelter while families figure out what to do next.

“It always feels good knowing that you’re going to be able to reunite the animals with their people,” Friedman said.

When a family with a 7-month-old baby and two bonded Labradors worried that they’d have to give up their beloved dogs, the rescue stepped up, promising to keep both dogs safe until the family was ready to care for them again.

Already, the rescue has helped many of the dogs left alone without a family find loving, permanent homes.

Though many still struggle to recover after the storm, with help from organizations like Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Florida residents and grateful pets are slowly getting back on their feet. The good news here is there are people who dedicate themselves to saving lives no matter the form.

Today’s JohnKu talks about the best of us. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Our Best by John W. Howell © 2022

There are some good folks,

Then there are those who value . . .

Life in all aspects.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF Fri-Yay/Good News

Today’s good news story comes from the People Magazine newsletter. You may have already seen it, but if not, it’s a good one. Here it is verbatim.

PHOTO: LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY

Ohio Dog in Shelter Over 2,555 Days Finally Finds His Forever Home: ‘Flip Is a Very Loving Dog’

Flip’s new pet parent told PEOPLE the rescue dog is adjusting well to home life and recently enjoyed his first nap in a big bed.

After spending years in the shelter system, Flip the dog has a forever home.

On September 16, PEOPLE shared the black-and-white dog’s story. At that time, the 7-year-old rescue pooch had spent over 2,555 days in Ohio shelters waiting to be adopted.

Jennifer Schorr, the associate director of the education division at the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, heard about Flip’s situation through a Facebook post. Having lost her beloved German Shepherd to illness a few months ago, Schorr wasn’t looking to adopt a new dog right away.

“But when I saw Flip, he melted my heart, and his story melted it even more,” Schorr told PEOPLE, adding that she knew she wanted her next pet to be an older dog “that needed some TLC.”

Enamored with Flip’s sweet face, Schorr reached out to Lake Humane Society to ask about adopting the dog, who was in a foster home at the time. The shelter told Schorr that they didn’t know much about Flip’s history, except that he spent time at a shelter in Youngstown and likely experienced abuse early in his life.

Flip the dog finds a home after over 2500 days in the shelter
JENNIFER SCHORR

To ensure that Flip and Schorr would be a good fit, Lake Humane Society asked Schorr to visit the canine, so she made the 3-hour drive to the shelter to meet Flip face to face.

“They told me he might not warm up to me at first, but it was just the opposite. He came and sat next to me, and he even gave me kisses,” Schorr said of her introduction to Flip.

After this first adorable interaction, Schorr met with Flip again and then had the dog visit her house in Pataskala, Ohio.

“Flip trotted right in and made himself at home!” Schorr said.

Flip the dog finds a home after over 2500 days in the shelter
JENNIFER SCHORR

Schorr’s residence is now officially Flip’s home, and the pup has continued to amaze his new owner with his warm, welcoming personality.

“Flip is a very loving dog and loves to cuddle on the couch with you,” Flip’s pet parent shared.

And while Flip is still nervous about some new things, Schorr is content to “go slow” with the dog and let him adapt to home life at his own speed.

“We take walks around the neighborhood, and he is the perfect dog. He is adjusting very well to being out of the shelter. He actually slept with me in bed the other night for the first time ever in his life. He was in heaven!” she said

Flip the dog finds a home after over 2500 days in the shelter
JENNIFER SCHORR

“I am confident Flip will be just fine living with me in his forever home. I love him so much already,” Schorr added.

Schorr also said that she hopes Flip’s story inspires others to adopt their next pet, so they can experience the companionship that blossoms after you save a life.

“There are so many loving dogs that just need a chance to become your furry friend. Some may need more care and attention than others, but they all deserve it. The tail wag, kiss on the cheek, or smile on their face lets you know how much you are appreciated. It is never too late — Adopt!” Schorr shared.

The good news here is that Flip is now in a loving home.

Today’s JohnKu talks about pets. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Pets by John W. Howell © 2022

You can buy a pet,

But so many need good homes . . .

Adopt one

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

from the WWE – Retrieved from YouTube

 

Today’s good news story comes from (where else) the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.

John Cena Smashes Guinness World Record – Granting 650 Wishes for Sick Children

American actor and WWE superstar John Cena has set a new record for the most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation with 650.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation helps fulfill the wishes of children who have been diagnosed with a critical illness. As the most wished-for celebrity, nobody else has ever granted more than 200 wishes in the 42-year existence of Make-A-Wish.

Targeting children between the age of 2 and 18, they can choose to meet a celebrity, go to an event or even give a gift to someone else and were “thrilled” to honor Cena as the man who has fulfilled the most wishes.

“If you ever need me for this ever, I don’t care what I’m doing, I will drop what I’m doing and be involved because I think that’s the coolest thing,” Cena said in an interview after being honored for 500 wishes granted. “I just drop everything, [and] if I can offer a fantastic experience, I’ll be first in line to do my part.”

Cena began his career in professional wrestling in 1999 and has since become one of the most popular athletes of all time; he is a 16-time world champion in WWE.

A crowd favorite character and the face for WWE’s “Be a Star” anti-bullying campaign, he granted his first wish for the Foundation in 2002. In 2012, Cena granted Make-A-Wish’s 1000th wish to a fan named Cardon.

Once receiving the opportunity to meet Cena, children take photos and hang out with their favorite wrestler and sometimes even venture inside the ring.

Cena is usually accompanied by one of his championship belts: he has held the WWE Championship 13 separate times and often lets the kids try it on.

WATCH A look back at his 650 wishes, but keep a tissue handy!

The good news with this story is a person who has fame can bring joy to those who most need it. Bless you, John Cena. Today’s JohnKu talks about paying it forward. I hope you have a special weekend.

Fame by John W. Howell © 2022

Fame and fortune won.

Blessed are those who share it . . .

With those most in need.

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – FriYay/Goodnews

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here is in its entireity.

National Marine Sanctuaries

Australia’s Ocean Kelp Forest is Growing at Light Speed–Rivaling the Mighty Amazon for Absorbing CO2

 

Great forests of ocean kelp were found in a recent study to be between 4 and 11-times more productive than the most productive crops grown today like wheat, corn, and rice.

On land, the fastest growth rates occur in the tropics, but in the ocean, the most productive ecosystems are found in the temperate zones, where cool, nutrient-rich waters create forests of golden, bull, and bamboo kelp that can grow 100 feet tall (35 meters).

This was the result of a global diving survey organized by the University of Western Australia, during which they found the most productive sea forests outgrow even the mighty Amazon Rainforest.

These most productive forests came from South Australia and South Africa, where can be found the Great Southern Reef and the Great African Sea Forest, respectively.

The Great African Sea Forest is believed to be expanding in size, unlike many other mega undersea habitats. Made up of bamboo kelp and containing huge amounts of biodiversity, it stretches over 400 miles from Cape Town’s waters to Namibia’s, nourished by an Antarctic current known as the “Benguela upwelling.”

The Great Southern Reef in Australia is fringed by a golden kelp forest stretching 5,000 miles across the continent’s coast. Next to the golden kelp, bull kelp can grow at a rate of 14 centimeters per day.

“On land, we can use satellites to measure tree growth, but underwater things are much more complicated as most satellites cannot make measurements at the depths kelp forests are found,” Dr. Albert Pessarrodona from the university’s Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

To get around this fact, divers around the world compiled productivity reports on kelp forests, which were then compared and analyzed for nutrient levels, sun penetration, and wave exposure.

The findings were that tropical forests were not the most productive and that those from the temperate zones contain kelps that can grow 11-times faster than wheat, corn, or rice.

This mass natural production aids in the world’s food security, the authors found, and nowhere is this more demonstrated than in Indonesia. The aquaculture of their seaweed forests creates products as varied as bioplastics alongside ice cream.

As well as assisting in human flourishing, these forests play a critical role in the global carbon cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Much like their productivity is much higher than their terrestrial counterparts, the rate at which they absorb CO2 has been measured to be 30x faster than trees on the land.

Scientists from the non-profit Great Southern Reef estimate that if just 0.001% of the ocean’s surface was cultivated with these productive forests, it would offset the emissions of the entire global aquaculture industry.

The good news here is hope for the continued renewal of the Earth. Today’s JohnKu talks about carbon emissions. I hope you have a great weekend.

Air by John W. Howell © 2022

Air contains a lot:

Carbon, oxygen, and dirt . . .

Our goal: clean it up.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

 

Photo courtesy of NOAA

Today’s story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is without editing.

World’s Largest Container Line is Rerouting its Fleet to Avoid Collisions with Endangered Blue Whales

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has taken a major step to help protect blue whales and other cetaceans living and feeding in the waters off the coast of Sri Lanka by altering shipping lanes to avoid their habitat.

A global leader in container shipping and logistics, MSC began in mid-2022 to voluntarily reroute its vessels passing by Sri Lanka on a new course that is approximately 15 nautical miles to the south, in line with the advice of scientists and other key actors in the maritime sector.

The decision was based on research surveys completed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), with the World Trade Institute (WTI), Biosphere Foundation, University of Ruhuna (Sri Lanka), and supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Westbound ship traffic is now limited to a latitude between 05 30N and 05 35N, and eastbound traffic is limited to a latitude between 05 24N and 05 29N in order to avoid designated cetacean habitats.

– Released.

Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean, between Asia and Europe, and the port of Colombo is a major transshipment hub for global trade.

The area off its southern coast is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and is also inhabited by large populations of whales, meaning that these animals may be at risk of colliding with ships.

Simulations have shown that moving the official shipping lane 15 nautical miles to the south could reduce the strike risk to blue whales by a whopping 95%. However, despite years of advocacy by scientists, the shipping industry, and NGOs, the boundaries of the official shipping line have not been reassigned to reduce the risk of ship strikes on cetaceans.

MSC is now taking measures to protect marine wildlife seriously, from adapting shipping service networks to keep away from designated whale breeding and feeding grounds to reducing vessel speed and rerouting ships to avoid reported marine wildlife populations.

“We believe that the commercial shipping sector has an important role to play in protecting cetaceans, specifically in helping to reduce the risk of ship collisions with whales,” said Stefania Lallai, Vice President – Sustainability at MSC.

“MSC is proud to rank at or near the top of whale safety shipping rankings. However, we are not at all complacent. We believe that raising awareness of these issues and encouraging collaboration between industry, scientific bodies, civil society, and governments is essential as we strive collectively to do more to minimize the risk of ship strikes.”

In Sri Lanka specifically, the liner shipping industry led by the World Shipping Council, of which MSC is a member, has advocated creating a new official marine traffic scheme that is fully separated from the blue whale feeding area.

It is hoped that this will soon become a reality, so all large-scale commercial marine traffic moves to the more southerly zone that MSC ships are now guided to follow. In the meantime, MSC urges all other ship operators to consider choosing a more southerly route past Sri Lanka to significantly reduce the possibility of whale strikes.

The good news here is that big business is beginning to take some stewardship of the planet. Today’s JohnKu talks about sharing the planet. I hope you have a terrific weekend.

Neighbors by John W. Howell © 2022

We often take care,

Of our neighbors when in need . . .

Why not animals?

Today I’m at Story Empire talking about lousy story endings. Here’s the LINK if you want to visit

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF Fri-Yay/Goodnews

Today’s good news comes to us from the Daily Paws. Here is the story unedited.

Elderly, Blind Golden Retriever Returns Home After 3 Weeks Missing in Alaska Wilderness

The Alaskan bush is tough terrain for almost anyone, let alone an elderly, blind, golden retriever.
CREDIT: CHENDONGSHAN / GETTY

If you’re a fan of Naked and Afraid, you know how hard it is to survive in the Alaskan wilderness. But let us introduce you to an older, blind golden retriever who held her own in the wild for three weeks alone.

On June 18, the Kubacki family’s beloved fur-baby, Lulu, went missing. “She means everything,” her dad Ted Kubacki told theAssociated Press. “I have five daughters, and they’re 4 to 13 years old, so they’ve spent every day of their life with that dog.”

The entirety of the Kubacki family searched for Lulu for weeks, but to not avail. Cruelly, someone even texted the family, telling them they’d found Lulu—only to then follow up with a “just kidding.”

But on July 5, a construction crew spotted the golden retriever, who they initially mistook for a bear, in a salmonberry bush lining the road they were working on. Lulu was about 15 feet down an embankment off the side of the road, not too far from the Kubacki’s home. Upon closer inspection, the construction workers realized they had found a dog who needed care.

Ted Kubacki told the AP that when he got word Lulu had been discovered, “I called my wife from work and it was just screaming. … She just starts yelling, then she yells to the kids. And I just hear them screaming like crazy.”

“I just expected to come back and be like, ‘Hey, here’s my dog.’ She’s going to jump up and wag her tail and kiss my face, and she couldn’t even pick up her head,” Kubacki told the AP. “She’d been through the wringer.”

But after medical attention, R & R, and food, Lulu is on the mend.

“Slowly but surely she started eating and she was kind of able to pick her head up. But then yesterday, she propped herself up on her front paws by herself, like nestled into me and gave me a kiss and wagged her tail and it was just so great,” Kubacki told the AP.

Kubacki told the AP he was worried about covering Lulu’s vet bills, but people from their town of Sitka had donated hundreds to foot the bill.

“We have our family member home,” Kubacki said.

The good news here is Lulu never gave up.

Todays JohnKu talks about giving up. I hope you have a great weekend.

Love by John W. Howell © 2022

Wanting to give up,

And we think the time has come . . .

Think of those we love.

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Friyay/Good News

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.

6 High School Football Players Combine Their Strength to Rescue Injured Woman Trapped in a Wrecked Car

(From left to right) Rome High School students Cesar Parker, Treyvon Adams, Antwion Carey, Messiah Daniels, Tyson Brown, and Alto Moore made the rescue.

A Georgian woman is thanking her stars that it was nothing less than a group of buff high schooler football players who just happened to be passing by her when she needed help.

Together they leaned their strength to pry open the jammed door of the woman’s wrecked car, which allowed the rescuers to access the badly injured driver.

The Rome City Football Team was out in force that morning, with teammates Treyvon Adams, 16, Antwion Carey, 16, Cesar Parker, 16, Messiah Daniels, Tyson Brown, 17, and Alto Moore, 16, all heading to school together in Adam’s car, or with their mom in the case of Caesar.

As soon as they saw the wrecked car, they leaped into action.

“We just ran as fast we (could) to the lady and check on her to see if she was alright,” Adams told CNN. “We saw she was in pain; she was screaming and asking us to help her.”

The car was totaled and badly bent out of shape. Relying on their brawn more so than their brains, the teens managed to pry the passenger door open, realizing only afterward that the other door had to be removed for her to be reached.

“We used all our muscles,” Adams said. “We’re pretty big people; we’re strong. We play football, so we lift weights a lot, but (the door) was just extremely bent and broke.” It all happened in about a minute.

But when it was over, the teens had freed the woman from the vehicle and carried her on their way back to class after checking on the driver of the other car in the collision.

Adams admitted that the team had been getting a lot of love and recognition for their act, which teachers said they deserved, and the school has helped drive.

In a post on Twitter, the school’s football team wrote, “PROUD of our MEN!” in reference to the story.

At the end of the day, like all great rescuers, the teens admitted that while the recognition was nice, it was something anyone would do.

The good news here is that these guys never hesitated to guarantee this woman’s safety and jumped into action.

Today’s JohnKu talks about heroes. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Action by John W.Howell © 2022

What makes a hero?

Someone who has a big heart . . .

And moves very fast.

Friday – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

Today’s good news comes from the good news network. Here is the story in its entirety.

Airline Captain Writes Note to Tooth Fairy For Girl Who Lost Tooth on Plane

Captain Josh – courtesy of Laura Larmon

A 6-year-old who realized after disembarking that she had lost a tooth aboard a plane was desperate to get it back.

Seeing this, a passing captain, with his jacket, cap, and epaulets, stepped in to write a note to the Tooth Fairy explaining the situation.

Lena and Laura Larmon were at the tail end of a long travel period, with a return leg from Norway to Greenville-Spartanburg Int. Airport, South Carolina, interrupted in New York with a 36-hour delay. Finally, stepping off the plane must have felt like bliss, until at the baggage claim, when 6-year-old Lena realized she had lost a tooth.

“We tried to walk back to the airplane, but security was closed. It was 2 a.m.,” mom Laura told Good Morning America, adding that Lena was “crying and very emotional” when she realized that, without the tooth to place under her pillow, there would be no corresponding visit from the Tooth Fairy.

That’s when United Airlines Captain Josh Duchow, seeing Lena’s distress, stepped in to help. With his captain’s bearing and official uniform, there would be no doubt that a quick written explanation from “Captain Josh” would be an acceptable receipt for the Tooth Fairy’s records.

“Dear Tooth Fairy, Lena had a tooth fall out on her flight to Greenville,” wrote Duchow, who piloted the flight. “Please take this note in place of her tooth.”

Note to Tooth Fairy – courtesy Laura Larmon

Mother Laura later shared the story on Instagram and Facebook as a break from “a world of bad airline stories.”

United Airlines released a statement on Duchow’s part, declaring: “we’re proud to see moments like this that underscore our commitment to going above and beyond for our customers and creating an airline where Good Leads the Way.”

The good news here is it doesn’t take much to show kindness. Thank you, Captain Josh, for your kindness toward Lena. Today’s JohnKu talks about being kind. I hope you have a great weekend.

Kindness by John W. Howell

It does not take much,

To make the day of someone . . .

Who needs a kind act.