Happy Headlines: Dog Rescue, Less Alcohol, Healing Monkeys
Some stories are simply too heartwarming not to share. The format Happy Headlines brings uplifting news and moving stories from around the world, curated from other platforms.
Shared Joy: A Dog’s Rescue That Touched Thousands
The rescue of a mother dog and her puppies sparked a wave of emotion online. It began when the Simon family in Tennessee discovered a stray dog with a puppy trailing behind on their property. Recognizing the dire condition of the malnourished mother, they took both dogs into their home and cared for them. Soon, they had even more to do: over the next two days, the mother dog disappeared into the woods twice and returned each time with more puppies—five in total.
The mother dog arrived with one puppy and later returned with five more. (Photo: Katie Simon)
The Simons, who already had five dogs of their own, now cared for the entire stray family. They built a dedicated space for the dogs until a local shelter could take them in. And for the mother dog, things got even better: daughter Ashlee Simon adopted her and gave her a new life.
Ashlee introduced her new companion, now named Sadie Mae, on social media—intending only to inform her friends. But the post quickly went viral, and hundreds of people shared their own rescue stories and photos of adopted dogs. “We all needed this happy moment of humanity,” Ashlee said. Without intending to, Sadie Mae became a symbol of compassion, hope, and connection.
Source: Washington Post - The Optimist
Suicide Rates Are Falling
Global suicide rates have dropped by nearly 30% since 1990. This is the result of data analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO), published in Nature Mental Health. The decline—from 10.3 to 7.2 cases per 100,000 people—has multiple causes. More people now have access to psychiatric care and medication. Mental health issues are no longer taboo in many places, and destigmatization makes it easier to talk about suicidal thoughts—often starting in schools. Stricter gun laws and safety measures like bridge barriers have also contributed to the decline.
Source: Nature Mental Health
Alcohol Consumption Hits New Low
According to a recent Gallup poll, only 54% of adults in the U.S. now drink alcohol—the lowest rate in decades. The decline is most noticeable among women and young adults. Awareness of health risks has increased: more than half of respondents believe that even moderate drinking can be harmful. Social pressure to drink is also decreasing. As a result, more people are choosing alcohol-free alternatives, which are increasingly available in bars and shops. Those who still drink tend to do so more moderately, consuming fewer drinks per week than in the past.
Source: Gallup
PTSD: Healing Through Monkeys
In Mississippi, Air Force veteran April Stewart has created a sanctuary for monkeys. She began rescuing animals in 2023, starting with a young spider monkey named Louie, and founded the Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary. For Stewart, caring for animals became a way to cope with her own post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Veteran April Stewart rescues monkeys and offers healing to fellow veterans who find solace at her sanctuary. (Photo: Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary)
Today, the sanctuary is home to several monkey species, many of which come from poor conditions or illegal trade. What began as animal rescue has unintentionally become a place of healing for other traumatized veterans.
One of them is John Richard, a veteran who has struggled with PTSD for decades and now volunteers at the sanctuary. The monkeys bring him peace and comfort. “They can feel you without speaking,” Richard says. The animals, often traumatized themselves, respond sensitively and compassionately to their human companions. And the veterans feel a deep connection with the monkeys—both have been wounded. Daily care routines offer structure and help rebuild trust in life.
Source: Washington Post - The Optimist
