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MY DAD LEFT MY MOM FOR HIS “SOULMATE”—BUT HE NEVER TOLD US WHO IT WAS

When my dad sat us down and said he was leaving my mom, I thought I misheard him. My parents had been married for 26 years. They weren’t perfect, but they weren’t divorce bad. At least, I didn’t think so.

“I’ve met someone,” he said, rubbing his hands together like he was trying to warm them up. “I didn’t plan for this to happen, but… I can’t ignore it. This person is my soulmate.”

I glanced at my mom, waiting for her to explode. But she just sat there, quiet. Her hands folded in her lap, eyes fixed on the table.

“Who is it?” I asked, my voice shaking.

He hesitated. “I—I don’t think that matters.”

“Of course it matters!” I snapped. “You’re blowing up our entire family for someone, but we don’t get to know who?”

He didn’t answer.

Over the next few weeks, he moved out, got an apartment across town, and refused to say a word about the mystery person. No pictures. No introductions. Nothing. My mom never asked, or if she did, she never told me.

At first, I assumed it was an affair. Some woman he met at work, or maybe someone from his past. But the longer time passed, the stranger it all felt. He didn’t remarry. He didn’t bring anyone to family events. It was like he had vanished into his own world.

Then, one night, I ran into him at a coffee shop. I almost didn’t recognize him—he looked… lighter. Happier. And he wasn’t alone.

He was sitting with someone. Their conversation was quiet, intimate. But it wasn’t the way a man sits with a mistress. It was something else. Something I hadn’t even considered.

And in that moment, I finally realized why he never told us who he left for.

As I approached the table, a chill ran through me. The person sitting across from my dad was not a woman, as I had assumed, but an older man, his hair speckled with grey, his laughter lines deep and familiar. It was Mr. Peterson, our next-door neighbor from when I was a kid, a man who had always been like an uncle to me.

I stood there, frozen, as the reality of the situation dawned on me. My dad looked up, his eyes meeting mine, filled with a mix of fear and relief. “Hey,” he said quietly, gesturing for me to join them.

Hesitantly, I sat down. Mr. Peterson smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners, a gesture of peace. “It’s been a long time,” he said.

“Yeah,” I managed to reply, my mind racing. All the memories of Mr. Peterson being around during my childhood, the weekends spent fishing, the barbecues, the heart-to-heart talks—it all made a different kind of sense now.

“We wanted to tell you,” my dad began, his voice trembling slightly. “But we didn’t know how. We’ve been close friends for decades. Over time, that friendship turned into something more. Something neither of us expected but ultimately couldn’t deny.”

“It wasn’t about leaving your mom for someone better,” Mr. Peterson added gently. “It was about being true to ourselves after years of hiding who we really are.”

As the words sunk in, I looked from one man to the other, seeing the truth in their expressions, the relief of no longer hiding their reality. It was a lot to process, but seeing my dad genuinely happy, lighter than I’d ever seen him, made the shock start to ebb away. I realized then that love is profoundly complex and that finding one’s soulmate isn’t something that can always be neatly categorized or expected.

“I just… wish you’d trusted us sooner,” I said, my voice softening.

“We were scared,” my dad admitted, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “But we’re here now, hoping you’ll accept us.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of years of unspoken truths between us start to lift. “I need time,” I said honestly, “but I’m glad you’re happy.”

We spent the rest of the evening talking, reconnecting in a way we hadn’t in years. It wasn’t easy, and there were moments of awkward silence, but it was a start—a beginning to understanding and, hopefully, acceptance.

The Way You Crack An Egg Reveals A Lot About Your Cooking Skills

It’s hard to believe what people can find to argue about these days, but one big kerfuffle in the culinary world is about how to crack an egg. Some home cooks say hitting the shell on a flat surface, like a counter, is less likely to rupture the yolk, but others argue that the edge of a bowl produces a stronger break. And then there are those who suggest using a knife, or cracking an egg against another egg.

Who knew there were so many ways to complete this simple cooking task? Well, chefs, of course — and they shared their opinions with us. When you consider how many eggs a home cook cracks in a day, compared to how many a chef might crack, it’s probably wise to follow the advice of these professionals.

As Bjorn Thompson, executive chef at Breva at Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis, said: “After cracking a few thousand eggs, I developed a preference for how to streamline the process.” So with that, let’s crack on.

Which method do most chefs prefer, and why?

The chefs we talked to said that how you crack an egg does make a difference in your cooking. You want to keep as much of the shell intact as possible, so you don’t end up with fragments in your finished dish. You also want to keep the yolk intact ― especially when you’re poaching or frying eggs, or making something where the whites and yolks need to be separated. Because it’s more likely to protect the yolk, most chefs we talked to prefer cracking the shell flat against a countertop, rather than on the edge of a bowl.

Penny Stankiewicz, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, explained the food-safety case for countertop cracking: “Eggs are not clean on the outside, and cracking one on the rim of a bowl can force shell inside, and could end up contaminating the inside of the egg with the shell’s bacteria.”

Culinary scientist, food scientist and author Jessica Gavin said the countertop method avoids damaging the egg’s vitelline membrane, which protects the yolk. “If you crack on the edge of a bowl, you need to control the force to avoid piercing the delicate yolk membrane,” she said.

The countertop is not only safer, but faster.

Other chefs who prefer the “flat surface” method include Bruno Enciso, chef de cuisine at Lutèce in Washington, D.C. For him, it’s a matter of speed, which is always a top priority in a professional kitchen. “I can crack many eggs at one time with this method, whereas on the edge of a bowl you have to crack each egg one at a time,” he said.

We heard a similar argument for efficiency from Marque Collins, director of food and beverage operations for Tullibee and the Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis. “Usually I’m cracking eggs in bulk for brunch, so the countertop method tends to make less mess and is pretty efficient when I’m going through flats of eggs at a time,” he said.

Many argue that cracking on the edge of a bowl shoves the shell inward, potentially forcing pieces into the raw egg.

Other methods include using a knife — or even another egg.

Chef Tolu Eros of Ile in Los Angeles generally prefers the flat-surface approach, but noted that there are occasions that call for a specialized tool. “If you’re trying to separate the egg, you might use a sharper tool, like a knife, to make a cleaner break in the middle,” he said.

You don’t need a counter or a bowl if you follow Stankiewicz’s suggestion. “I prefer to crack eggs against one another,” she said. “Only one at a time ever cracks, and since I’m generally cracking many eggs at once, this method really moves things along.”

The site of the crack matters, too, said chef Shamim Popal, co-owner and chef of Lapis in Washington, D.C. “I always crack an egg in the middle, then raise it over the bowl and split it in two with my thumbs,” she said. “By cracking in the middle, you have two shells, and it’s easy to separate the white from the yolk if needed. You get a clean cut and avoid getting runny egg on your fingers or dropping bits of shell in the bowl.”

Once the egg is cracked, your work isn’t done. According to chef Yoonjung Oh of Hive Hospitality, “the main takeaway is to be vigilant about avoiding shell pieces, so always double-check after cracking to ensure a clean result.”

Give your cracked eggs a ‘layover’ in a separate bowl.

Most of us grew up just tossing raw eggs directly into a dish, but that approach carries some serious potential flaws, said Altreisha Foster, baker and owner of Sugar Spoon Desserts and president of the Cake Therapy Foundation.

“I prefer cracking eggs one at a time into a small bowl before adding them individually to my batter,” she said. “This gives me control over each egg and prevents any mishaps that could ruin the batter, like broken yolks, bad eggs, rotten eggs or pieces of falling shell. Cracking into a separate bowl is the best way to avoid any issues before mixing ingredients.”

Yes, your attitude matters, too.

No matter which method you choose, be aware that eggs sense fear, so proceed boldly.

OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but Eros did say that a little swagger can be a big asset. “The real trick is to crack with confidence and know how to handle the egg once it’s open,” he said. “Separating the shells smoothly makes a big difference, but the method you choose is more about personal preference.”

What Really Happens If You Eat Eggs Past Their Sell-By Date?

One of the top food stories over the past few years has been the notorious rising cost of eggs (the current national average is $4.62) due to supply chain issues. And in late January, things have gotten even worse — many store shelves’ egg sections are empty, thanks to the bird flu epidemic.

So with that in mind, you may wonder how to make the most of your eggs. Is it OK to eat them past their “sell-by” date instead of throwing them out?

Or is that a bad idea? We spoke with health and food safety experts to find out how far we can push the limits — and what may happen when we do.

Sell-by dates reflect an estimate of how long the eggs’ quality can be maintained — not necessarily safety

In the United States, the outsides of eggs are washed with warm water to clean the shell — but that process also removes the exterior cuticle, which HuffPost has previously reported prevents bacteria and spoilage. (Europeans don’t wash their shells.)

After undergoing that process, in the U.S. “eggs can last between three to five weeks post-purchase as long as they are refrigerated and stored in an environment with a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Dr. Michael Chichak, medical director at MEDvidi.

Pete & Gerry’s, a popular brand of organic and pasture-raised eggs, adheres to a similar timeline. “For our eggs, best buy date means that we recommend consuming them on or before the date printed on the carton,” said Cameron Whitehead, the brand’s chief operating officer. “Our eggs are typically processed within a few days of being laid and printed with a best-by date, which is 30-45 days from processing, depending on different state regulations.”

According to Dr. Laura Purdy, a board-certified family medicine physician, sell-by dates can be confusing because the government doesn’t regulate food product date labels. “In fact, this is solely up to the manufacturers and companies to determine how they are going to create that date, which is usually picked based on quality,” she said. “This means when the food item is going to be the freshest and taste the best. It has nothing to do with the food being safe to consume.”

How does an egg even go bad if it’s not contaminated with something like bird flu?

“Eggs naturally have a small air pocket,” said Darin Detwiler, a food safety academic, adviser, advocate and author. “As they age, moisture and carbon dioxide escape through the porous shell, increasing the air pocket size. This makes the egg less fresh but not necessarily unsafe.”

He further explained cracks in the shells can allow bacteria to enter, leading to contamination. Because of chemical degradation, the old eggs begin to smell bad. “Proteins and fats in the egg break down, creating foul-smelling sulfur compounds like hydrogen sulfide,” he said. “Spoiled eggs often have an off-putting odor, slimy texture or discoloration.”

Trista Best, a registered dietitian at The Candida Diet, added: “Fresh eggs have a pH of around 7.6, which is slightly [alkaline],” she said. “As eggs age, the pH rises and results in a sulfur taste.”

Most eggs can maintain their quality between three to five weeks after production.

The rule is: If the eggs smell fine, it’s probably OK to eat them. “As long as the eggs are stored in the fridge, eggs shouldn’t spoil,” said Shelley Balls, a registered dietitian nutritionist for Consumer Health Digest. “I’ve eaten eggs two months past their sell-by date. They just don’t have the quality that they once had.”

OK, sure, but let’s say you eat that two-month-past-its-expiration-date egg. Are side effects possible?

6 Red Flags Japanese Chefs Look For When They Order Sushi

Whether it be fresh yellowtail sashimi or a piled-high rainbow roll, Americans love sushi. But when faced with an encyclopedia of fish options, it’s hard to know what to choose.

There’s long been a rumor that when you order tuna at some sushi restaurants, you’re actually just getting a worse-quality fish dyed red with food coloring. So it’s no wonder diners often feel wary when perusing a sushi menu.

We spoke to sushi chefs across the United States about what they look for when they order nigiri, sashimi and rolls, plus the biggest red flags to avoid before you pick up your chopsticks.

Color Is Everything

All of our sushi experts agreed that the color of the fish is the No. 1 indicator that something’s not quite right. For chef Takeshi Ikeuchi, executive chef of Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs, Florida, it’s the first thing you should consider before taking a bite. “Diners should avoid anything that is dull or discolored,” he said.

Chef Masatomo “Masa” Hamaya, culinary director of O-Ku and Junto in Bentonville, Arkansas, confirmed this is the biggest dealbreaker. He explained, “When it comes to any kind of fish, when you see the color changing or any discoloration, it’s a red flag because it’s oxidizing, which isn’t a good sign.” Once a fish oxidizes, it begins to break down fatty acids and turn rancid.

It Shouldn’t Look Dry

Fish should have a natural sheen and luster, like it’s straight from the dock to your dish. Mitsuhiro Eguchi, corporate sushi chef at Nobu Chicago, said, “Dry fish means there is a loss of freshness.” The same goes for the rice. Eguchi said, “If the rice is too hard or dry, that means the balance is off. That’s a sign of poor rice quality.”

It Should Smell Like The Ocean, Not Like Fish

There’s nothing worse than a fishy smell emanating from atop your rice. However, sushi chefs note there is a major difference between an “ocean” smell and a “fishy” smell.

Hamaya said, “Fish should exude the flavor of brine or the ocean. If you’re tasting the ocean, it’s full of umami because most fish have umami, and that’s normally a great sign. If it’s more fishy-fishy, then it’s about to be rotten.” And if the restaurant itself smells fishy, then it’s time to turn around and find a new sushi spot.

Take a look at the cleanliness of the counters at the restaurant.

It Actually Shouldn’t Be Cold

You may think a cold piece of fish means it’s being properly refrigerated, but it’s a big sign the sushi chef isn’t a pro. Eguchi said, “Good sushi is served at a warm, human-touch temperature.” If there is a mismatch in temperature between the rice and the sushi, that’s how you know the chef’s sushi skills may not be up to par.

Always Judge The Display Case

Perusing the clear display case stocked with fish is part of the fun of going out for sushi. But chefs urge you to take a good long look at the products inside to decide the freshness and quality of what’s being served. “A well-organized display case and fresh-looking fish with a natural sheen are good signs,” Eguchi said. If the display case is left open for long periods or looks messy, it’s a sign the chef may not be taking hygiene and organization seriously.

Check Out The Actual Restaurant

The cleanliness of the actual restaurant was another unanimous must from the sushi chefs we spoke to. “Restaurant cleanness is definitely among the most important aspects when ordering sushi. It shows the chef values the condition of his restaurant and the quality of the dining experience for guests,” said chef Masa Shimakawa at Soko in Santa Monica, California.

Eguchi added, “When I’m checking out a sushi place, I pay attention to a couple of things. First, how clean is the counter? And what about the chef’s hygiene? If the chef is constantly wiping their hands, I feel much better about the food.” No one wants food poisoning or, worse, a trip to the hospital.

Top Ordering Tips

We’ve shared a lot of red flags and “don’ts,” but our experts have plenty of “do’s” for picking the best type of fish next time you’re out for sushi. Eguchi’s go-to is maguro (lean tuna) because it’s simple yet fundamental. He said, “Freshness and handling directly affect the taste.”

Tuna is also a favorite of Shimakawa. “I love to order different cuts of tuna, as this is a great indicator of the quality of a restaurant. A good sushi restaurant always has high-quality tuna available,” he insisted.

Ikeuchi recommends trying kohada, a small silver-finned fish. “It has a really rich flavor and is also a great way to see a chef’s skill level. It has a lengthy preparation process, including a marinating period in vinegar, and can be difficult to execute well,” he said.

When Hamaya orders sushi, he switches between a classic tuna nigiri and mackerel or sardines because “sushi chefs always cure them,” he said. “In order for them to cure it correctly, some sort of technique is required. The way chefs cure is different from chef to chef, and I can tell by eating their mackerel or sardines just how great their culinary technique is.”

Adults can sleep with stuffed animals, too. It might even be a good thing, experts say

Max Genecov is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, a dad, and a stuffed animal owner.

“I’ve always had them growing up, I had a big fantasy life with them (as a child),” he said. “I just think that they’re nice things you have.”

He has a plush racoon from his childhood, crochets them when friends or family have babies, and still sometimes hugs a stuffed animal or uses one as a pillow when he sleeps, he said.

It might sound unusual, but when you think about it –– is it really?

Plush sales grew over the Covid-19 pandemic, and in 2024, 21% of plush toys were sold to adults over 18, according to Juli Lennett, US toys industry adviser at Circana, a market research and technology company in Chicago.

Stuffed animals “struck a chord with young adults and adults as a means to entertain, collect, and provide comfort during the pandemic,” she said in an email.

Build-A-Bear even has an entire section of its website dedicated to products for grown-ups. A survey the company commissioned found that more than half of people held on to a childhood stuffed animal, and about 40% said they sleep with a plush toy.

“I wonder if people are seeking more comfort in the face of uncertainty,” said Dr. Jade Wu, a sleep psychologist and founder of Thrive Sleep Clinic in Durham, North Carolina. And for people living on their own, it could be nice to have something to cuddle with at night, she added.

There is nothing wrong with having a stuffed animal as an adult or using one to sleep better, experts said. In fact, there are a lot of positives to it.

Many people have held onto their stuffed animals from childhood, and many people have bought new ones in adulthood, data shows.
Many people have held onto their stuffed animals from childhood, and many people have bought new ones in adulthood, data shows.

Stuffed animals are for anyone

As a mental health therapist in Seattle, Dr. Jessica Lamar uses stuffed animals with adults who are working through trauma, she said.

They go to Build-A-Bear and make a bear to represent their inner child or a younger version of themselves so they can heal trauma from childhood, she said.

Patients giving the bears the comfort, connection and compassion they might not have gotten enough of as a child can be very helpful, Lamar added.

But stuffed animals aren’t just for people working through trauma. Anyone can benefit from the gentleness, softness and self-soothing that a cute, plush object can bring, Genecov said.

Lamar agreed, noting that a stuffed animal you’ve had since childhood can provide nostalgia, a connection to family or friends you are far from, and a touchpoint for pleasant memories.

“It can be very cozy, relaxing and nice,” Wu said. “There’s no reason why adults can’t have the benefits of that kids get.”

It’s not immature to cuddle with a stuffie

But that is the problem –– stuffed animals are for kids, you might be thinking.

“If we think about it from the lens of being like a healthy, balanced adult, I actually think it’s really helpful to say, ‘Hey, I am this adult who’s in college, and I still have this healthy attachment to my childhood,’” Lamar said. “It’s really wonderful to be able to say, ‘This is a part of my child self that I want to stay connected to.’”

Maybe there would be an issue if someone became severely distressed or unable to sleep when they were separated from their stuffed animal, Lamar said. It could also be a problem if people used their stuffed animals to avoid other issues, said Dr. Barbara Greenberg, a clinical psychologist in Weston, Connecticut.

But both said they haven’t seen that become an issue.

In fact, using a stuffed animal to feel better could be good modeling to the kids in your life, Greenberg said.

“This is one of the ways to self soothe. We take something like an animal into our bed; it’s comforting,’” she said. “That’s one of the things you have to teach kids when they’re young, how to self-regulate, how to self soothe.”

Especially important is to let boys keep their stuffed animals –– they need self-soothing too, Greenberg said.

A sleep buddy

A stuffed animal in your bed at night might be meeting evolutionary needs, Wu said.

“We evolved to live in tribes and to have a village,” she said. “We sleep the best when we feel safe, so when we’re feeling vulnerable … then we want that bodily contact.

“Social sleeping makes us feel more safe and sleep better. So, a stuffed animal may be sort of a good alternative to having someone else sleeping in your bed.”

Even over the course of a life, it makes sense to need contact when you sleep, Lamar added. The womb is a very safe space; then as babies, humans are swaddled to sleep, she said.

“As we get older, that obviously becomes less of a need, but that need is still there,” Lamar said.

Some stuffed animals are even weighted to provide a little extra pressure when you snuggle up.

“There is some research showing that weighted blankets, at least, can help to calm the mind and body,” Wu said. “I could definitely see a weight of stuffed animals serving a similar function as a weighted blanket in that way.”

If nothing else, stuffed animals can help with better sleep by providing a signal to the brain that it is time to wind down, Wu added.

“The feeling of it, the smell of it, the sight of it, can be associated with sleep, and so helps to signal that you know sleep is coming,” she said.

However you use your favorite stuffed animal –– displayed on a shelf, tucked in a closet or ready for you in bed at night –– it is great if it can be a way to get better sleep, Greenberg said.

“If it helps you with stress, it’s a much better alternative than taking a tranquilizer or drinking a glass of wine. It hurts nobody,” she said.

I went to hospital and had to wait 16 hours for surgery – when I woke up I realised they had amputated my leg

A young woman who went into A&E crying woke up to discover her leg had been amputated after she waited 16 hours for surgery.

Molly Harbron, 26, said she was in ‘a lot of pain’ as she made her way to Dewsbury and District Hospital in West Yorkshire.

The former carer’s foot and leg were left numb and discoloured by blood clots and she knew ‘something wasn’t right’.

But Ms Harbron has now been handed a six-figure payout as doctors admitted they probably wouldn’t have had to chop her leg off if she’d had surgery by 9pm the same day.

The then-22-year-old made her way to A&E complaining of a numb and cold left leg and discoloured foot at 11.30am on April 25, 2020.

Medics suspected deep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot in a vein – but failed to carry out adequate tests.

Just over a day later, Ms Harbron woke up from surgery to discover the amputation.

She said: ‘I was in a lot of pain, I knew something wasn’t right.

Molly Harbron post-amputation. Hospital staff admitted Ms Harbron probably would have avoided having her leg amputated if she'd had surgery by 9pm same day

Molly Harbron post-amputation. Hospital staff admitted Ms Harbron probably would have avoided having her leg amputated if she’d had surgery by 9pm same day

‘I was crying to my mum and asked her to take me to the hospital. All I remember was there being a delay and then waking up from surgery.

‘When I was woken up the surgeon showed me they had amputated my leg. However, I didn’t really believe them as I could still feel my leg.

‘When the realisation dawned on me I just broke down and cried.

‘Before my amputation, life was great. I was really active, I went running three times a week and had a physically demanding job which I loved.

‘But then it felt like life wasn’t worth living with one leg. I couldn’t come to terms with the fact I had lost a leg and I needed to take it further because I didn’t want it to happen to anyone else.’

Hospital staff admitted Ms Harbron probably would have avoided having her leg amputated if she’d had surgery by 9pm same day.

Instead, her surgery was delayed until 1.30pm the following day – and doctors were unable to restore blood flow to her leg.

She had to spend a further 18 days in hospital following the amputation, which led to her quitting her job as a carer.

Molly Harbron before her leg amputation. She said: 'Before my amputation, life was great. I was really active, I went running three times a week and had a physically demanding job which I loved'

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Molly Harbron before her leg amputation. She said: ‘Before my amputation, life was great. I was really active, I went running three times a week and had a physically demanding job which I loved’

Ms Harbron needed to be carried up and down the stairs to her first floor flat each day, as she was unable to make the trip on her own.

She instructed medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, which admitted a breach of duty.

A month after leaving hospital, she met her partner Daniel.

The couple has since married, and she was able to walk down the aisle through the use of a prosthetic leg.

However, Ms Harbron said the prosthetic was not designed for her body and felt uncomfortable to wear.

Now, as part of a six-figure interim payout, the former carer has moved to a bungalow and started using a specially designed privately-funded prosthesis.

She said: ‘The first prosthetic I had from the NHS was very uncomfortable. I could only wear it for an hour max.

‘However, the new prosthetic fits to me. It helps me walk more smoothly.

Lawyers are now working on getting Ms Harbron a final compensation package to pay for life-time support, physiotherapy, and upkeep of her prosthetic

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Lawyers are now working on getting Ms Harbron a final compensation package to pay for life-time support, physiotherapy, and upkeep of her prosthetic

‘I can walk downstairs, go to the shops, drive and I’m hoping to run one day. It’s changed my life so much and I feel like a normal person again.

‘I never imagined I’d have the life I have now. I have a brilliant husband, an amazing family; I never imagined that was possible.

‘I thought my life was going to be me stuck in a wheelchair, until I realised I can do anything I put my mind to.

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‘By sharing my story I hope I can not only help others who may be struggling with going through something similar but also improve care.

‘What happened to me could have been avoided so I want to try and prevent it happening to someone else.’

Lawyers are now working on getting Ms Harbron a final compensation package to pay for life-time support, physiotherapy, and upkeep of her prosthetic.

Ashlee Coates, the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing her said: ‘Through our work we too often see how failings connected to inadequate assessments and delays can lead to significant injuries.

‘Molly’s case vividly highlights the life-changing repercussions patients can be left to face.

‘Molly has faced an incredibly difficult time attempting to come to terms with the physical and psychological impact of her losing her leg. However, she’s always remained determined to make the best recovery possible.

‘We knew the priority for Molly was ensuring she had a suitable home to live in and access to the specialist support she required.

‘The part payment of compensation has allowed this to happen. The progress in her rehabilitation has been phenomenal and Molly is now working towards the life she wanted.

‘Although her story is a stark reminder of the need to uphold the highest standards of patient safety, it also highlights how, through early access to rehab, people can start to flourish after losing a limb.’

Stop hounding me you big ape! The unlikely friendship between an orangutan and a dog

They make an unlikely duo. But after meeting at a reserve for endangered animals, Suryia the orangutan and Roscoe the Bluetick hound have become inseparable.

And now the pals have released a picture book capturing their unorthodox friendship.

The best friends were besieged by young fans as they held their own signing for the new release at a bookstore in Georgetown, South Carolina.

Best of friends: Suryia the Orangutan and Roscoe the dog at their book signing

Smile for the camera: But I do wonder if Cheetah and Rin Tin Tin got bored with book signings too?

Smile for the camera: But I do wonder if Cheetah and Rin Tin Tin got bored with book signings too?

Pooling their talents: Is that the doggie-paddle you're doing, Roscoe?
The beast of friends: Of course I love you, but just don't try any monkey business...

Pooling their talents: Roscoe gets a helping hand for the doggie paddle while the pair are clearly in love

A proper nana: Actually, I'd prefer something with a bit more pedigree, chum

A proper nana: Actually, I’d prefer something with a bit more pedigree, chum

Entitled Suryia And Roscoe, the book shows the pair enjoying each other’s company at the South Carolina wildlife reserve where they met.

Just hanging around: The king of the swingers up a tree alongside orangutan's best friend

Just hanging around: The king of the swingers up a tree alongside orangutan’s best friend

In one photo, a stubborn Roscoe refuses to eat a banana offered by his friend.

Another shows Suryia in a life jacket closely watching over Roscoe as he goes for a doggie-paddle.

And, as if posing for holiday snaps, they are also captured taking walks through the gardens and posing in front of an elephant.

The friends have garnered worldwide media attention, appearing in the National Geographic magazine and on the Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres shows in the U.S.

They met four years ago when Roscoe followed staff from The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS) in Myrtle Beach as they walked home.

He was immediately spotted by the orangutan, who ambled over to make friends.

Dr Bhagavan Antle, the reserve’s founder, said: ‘Roscoe looked really thin and a little lost so we fed him and took care of him.

‘He followed us through the gate and ran over and found Suryia. As soon as he saw Roscoe, Suryia ran over to him and they started playing.

‘Dogs are usually scared of primates, but they took to each other straight away. We made a few calls to see if he belonged to anyone and when no one came forward, Roscoe ended up staying.’

Loyal dog attends mass every day at church where owner’s funeral was held, waiting for her to return

A heartbroken dog whose owner died two months ago is missing her so much he is attending services at the Italian church where her funeral was held patiently waiting for her to return.

Loyal Tommy, a seven-year-old German Shepherd, belonged to Maria Margherita Lochi, 57, and had been her faithful companion after she adopted him when she found him abandoned in fields close to her home.       

Mrs Lochi adopted several strays she found but friends said she developed a particular close affection for Tommy and would walk to church with him from her home every day – where the priest would allow him to sit patiently by her feet.

Pining: Tommy the German Shepherd waits faithfully during Mass at the church where his owner Maria Margherita Lochi's funeral was held

Pining: Tommy the German Shepherd waits faithfully during Mass at the church where his owner Maria Margherita Lochi’s funeral was held

Following her death at San Donaci near Brindisi, a funeral service was held at which Tommy joined mourners and since then he has been a regular at the church arriving on time when the bells ring out to mark the start of services.

Father Donato Panna said:”He’s there every time I celebrate Mass and is very well behaved – he doesn’t make a sound, I’ve not heard one bark from him in all the time he has been coming in.

He used to come to Mass with Maria and he was obviously devoted to her – I let him stay inside as he was always so well behaved and none of the other parishoners ever complained to me.

‘He’s still coming to Mass even after Maria’s funeral, he waits patiently by the side of the altar and just sits there quietly. I didn’t have the heart to throw him out – I’ve just recently lost my own dog so I leave him there until Mass finishes and then I let him out.

Sad: Heartbroken Tommy, a seven year old German shepherd, had been adopted by Maria Margherita Lochi, 57, after she found him wandering fields behind her house in San Donaci near Brindisi, Italy

Sad: Heartbroken Tommy, a seven year old German shepherd, had been adopted by Maria Margherita Lochi, 57, after she found him wandering fields behind her house in San Donaci near Brindisi, Italy

Routine: Tommy and Maria would walk to church together every day - where the priest would allow him to sit patiently by her feet

Routine: Tommy and Maria would walk to church together every day – where the priest would allow him to sit patiently by her feet

‘Tommy’s been adopted by everyone in the village now and he is everybody’s friend. Everyone looks out for him and leaves food for him – although it would be nice to find a proper home for him.’

The story of Tommy is similar to the 2009 Hollywood blockbuster Hachi starring Richard Gere which told of how a faithful Akita dog waits patiently for his master after he also dies.

It was based on the true story of a Japanese Akita called Hachiko, whose owner died in 1925 but for the next nine years he waited patiently at a railway station for his owner from where they regularly caught a train.

A dog passed away after eating something commonly found at home – The owner is warning others.

Samantha Carress lost her beloved Golden Retriever, Luna, and is now warning other dog owners about a hidden danger found in many homes.

Most dog owners know that sweets and chocolate can be harmful to dogs. Sugar can damage their teeth, and chocolate contains substances that can make dogs very sick, causing vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or even death if eaten in large amounts.

Samantha was aware of these dangers, but she didn’t realize that another common ingredient, which Luna accidentally ate, could be just as deadly.

Luna found a pack of lemon-flavored chewing gum and ate it.

Unfortunately, most sugar-free gum contains Xylitol, a sweetener that is very dangerous for dogs.

Just a few hours after eating the gum, Luna’s liver started to fail. Sadly, by the time Samantha realized what was wrong, it was too late to save her.

Samantha was heartbroken because she knew Luna’s death could have been prevented if she had known about the dangers of the gum.

Now, she is warning dog owners to check labels and keep their  pets away from anything that contains Xylitol. Even a small amount of this sweetener can cause liver failure in dogs.

Some common household items that contain Xylitol include sugar-free gum, peanut butter, baked goods, candies, drink powders, ketchup, and BBQ sauce.

Luna isn’t the first dog to die from Xylitol poisoning. In fact, cases of Xylitol poisoning have increased by 3,000% over the past ten years.

After Luna ate the gum and started feeling sick, Samantha and her husband rushed her to the vet. They were told that the only way to save her was an emergency liver transplant, which would cost $20,000.

Sadly, Samantha had to say goodbye to her beloved dog.

She urges all dog owners to be extra careful and watch out for hidden dangers.

Please share this story with your family and friends to help spread awareness.

Parents forced to pull plug on daughter following sleepover horror

Ally Langdon of Australia couldn’t conceal the anguish she felt within as she met with a mother and father who were forced to make the difficult decision to end the life of their 13-year-old daughter.

The young girl died as a result of a viral fad known as chroming, and Langdon, a mother, battled to hold back her emotions.

Appearing on A Current Affair with host Ally Langdon, Andrea and Paul Haynes revealed their tale of how their 13-year-old daughter Esra Haynes died after following a social media craze called chroming, that involves breathing poisonous chemicals via the mouth or nose to become euphoric.

As a young athlete, Esra competed in BMX bike races alongside her brothers and guided her team to a national aerobics championship in Queensland. The Montrose Football Netball Club, where she co-captained, described her as “determined, fun, cheeky, and talented.”

During a stay at a friend’s house on March 31, Esra sniffed a can of spray deodorant for a deadly high and suffered irreversible brain damage after going into cardiac arrest.

According to her mother Andrea, “it was just the regular routine of going to hang out with her mates,” Langdon said.

Her father, Paul, explained, “We always knew where she was and who she was with.  The situation was not unusual. To get this phone call at that time of night, (it) was one of the calls no parent ever wants to have, and we regrettably received the call: ‘Come and collect your daughter.’”

Langdon notes that Esra’s companions assumed she was having a panic attack, “but after inhaling deodorant, her body was actually starting to shut down, she was in cardiac arrest, and no one at the sleepover used cardiac arrest.”

When Andrea arrived at Esra’s side, paramedics were attempting to resuscitate her and informed her that her daughter had been chroming, something she had never heard of before to that point.

Esra was rushed to the hospital, with the hope that their newborn girl would recover.  After all, her heart and lungs were robust, so perhaps she might make it through.

After eight days on life support, Paul and Andrea were informed that Esra’s brain had been injured “beyond repair,” and they had to make the decision to switch off the machine.

Her parents struggled with their words and relived their darkest day as they described the sorrow of taking their daughter’s life.

When asked to invite relatives and friends to the hospital for their final goodbyes, Esra’s father said, “It was a very, very tough thing to do to such a young soul. She was placed on a bed so we could lie with her.  “We cuddled her till the end.”

Langdon, a mother of two small children, was overwhelmed by the parents’ grief and burst into tears.

The bereaved siblings of a Year 8 girl who died from chroming believe their purpose is now to prevent others from suffering the same fate. Esra Haynes, a Don Valley adolescent, had cardiac arrest after inhaling deodorant. #9News | WATCH LIVE 6PM

Published by 9 News on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

Esra died in early April, and Paul claims the family is absolutely “broken,” with Esra’s siblings, Imogen, Seth, and Charlie, being “shattered.”

“It was really devastating, devastating for everyone involved, all her friends as well,” Paul told me.  “It’s been the most terrible, horrific experience any parent could have.  We haven’t been sleeping, eating, or smiling—we’re not ourselves… But it has touched not just us, but also the community.”

Paul and his wife, who had never heard of chroming before it murdered their daughter, are on a mission to raise awareness about the fatal viral craze easily performed with store-bought materials like deodorant, paint, chair-spray or even permanent markers–that is becoming increasingly popular among teenagers.

Speaking to a local news station, Paul expressed his desire that he had been aware about chroming during the time Esra was still alive in order to have alerted her to the risks:  “We would have definitely had the conversation around our kitchen table if we had been informed and the word had gotten out.”

“In order to give these kids the best advice right away, we need to step it up and let them learn the information directly from the source—not through friends or social media.”

Paul intends to educate parents so that they can educate their kids and, ideally, save their lives and their children.

“(Parents) should sit down and talk to their children, starting the conversation softly.  “We didn’t know what was going on.”

Since 2009, the disturbing practice of chroming has caused the deaths of several youngsters in Australia and throughout the world.

Chroming, which may cause seizures, heart attacks, asphyxia, abrupt smelling death, coma, and organ failure, is appealing to young people because it provides an instant short-term high.

“We’ve got the pictures in our mind which will never be vanished you know, of what we were confronted with,” says Paul to Langdon.  “Our gut was ripped out.”

We can’t image how difficult it is for a family to make the decision to take their young kid off life support.  Our hearts go out to the Haynes family and all the loved ones Esra has left behind.

Share this story with everyone you know, and help parents save their children’s lives by teaching them about the risks of this deadly trend.

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