12 Aug 2021

Let’s get some air, enjoy a breezy walk in the sun and pretend like our country is back to normal - the rough and tumble of the news cycle has been officially cancelled today. While I do not support cancel culture, the dramatised current affairs are not very reassuring or comforting at the moment so let’s just pop it on pause for this read. 

There have been some extremely wholesome news stories you may have missed amongst the madness - it’s easy for these ones to slip through the cracks. The news is not all bad though and these stories are the perfect reads to brighten up our days, so here are some corona-free, joyful updates that are inevitable to put a smile on your dial.

The ‘Greyhounds As Pets’ program brightens up lockdown - owners and their new four-legged pals

In devastating news for context, greyhound racing deaths are up 44 percent and despite the decrease in racing due to the pandemic, the numbers for injuries and death have continued to surge.

 

The Greyhounds As Pets program is available for people to sign up and foster a retired racing greyhound during the current lockdown. Disability care worker, Ash D’Souza was feeling really low a month into lockdown but when Willa arrived at his doorstep, he was incredibly happy. Trialling out a short-term foster, the dogs are able to gain the experience of living with someone and in a happy home.

Willa 🤝 Ash = unstoppable cuddles!

Barking family dog saves young woman during home invasion

A family dog in the Western Australia city of Byford alerted his owner of a home invasion - the definition of a hardworking guard dog. Ally Holdcroft, the owner was confronted with two masked intruders when she went to check on her dog, made a run for it, jumped over neighbour’s fence but says the real hero is Harley, who helped her escape. 

We love you, Harley and hope you get loads of treats and cuddles in return.

Midwife uses her skills to ensure tiny Wally the lamb stays alive

The little miracle lamb, Wally has been bringing joy to us in lockdown - weighing 900 grams at birth while his twin was a regular two kilograms. Midwife Sarah Polnher and husband found Wally moving around on the floor and initially, they didn’t think it was a lamb.

While Ben thought Wally wasn’t going to survive, there was no way Sarah was giving up. Sarah had never milked a sheep before but she adapted her skill set from the maternity ward but alas, it worked! Wally was fed hourly with a syringe. It’s been three weeks since and he is now a healthy and strong little lamb. I’m not crying, you are.

Britney Spears’ father agrees to step down as conservator

#FreeBritney has become a massive social movement. Britney has been pleading with judges to end her conservatorship - an emergency and temporary position that her father took role of. Since then, Britney has said she was forced to work ten hour days, she hasn’t been in control of her finances or allowed to drive, she’s not able to get pregnant and she has not been happy.

As of today, legal filings state that he will be stepping down from his 13-year role (?!?!) as Britney’s conservator, which will give Britney control back for her financial decisions and assets. Britney’s lawyer called the decision “a major victory for Britney Spears and another step towards justice”. While the fight for Britney’s freedom is not over just yet, this is such a massive push in the right direction and we only have one thing to say. #FreeBritney!

In case you wanted an extra streaming service, Paramount Plus has arrived this week - here’s what you can watch

Paramount Plus launched earlier this week and boy, are we excited for something new to watch! From Nickelodeon, MTV, Showtime, Comedy Central and Paramount Originals, there is plenty to stream.

 

Here is a sneak peak of what to expect and what I’m pretty keen to binge:

  • The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron (nostalgia, duh)
  • The new iCarly reboot 
  • Seasons 1-14 of Geordie Shore
  • Punk’d
  • Rugrats
  • Seasons 1-23 of South Park (geeeeez there are a lot of episodes)
  • In case you want to outwit, outsmart and outplay, there are 40 seasons of Survivor

My lockdown just got so much better!

Here’s a video of Patty Mills dancing to Down Under and it’s a vibe

To end on a great note, there is footage of Patty Mills leading a sing and dance to Down Under by Men At Work with the Boomers team after winning bronze. Uuuuuh, this is the epitome of Aussie culture and spirit and we love to see it.