Eeyore the dog helps a Florida deputy find a missing 86-year-old woman, video shows
DESTIN, Fla. (AP) — A dog named Eeyore became a hero by leading a Florida sheriff's deputy to a missing 86-year-old woman who had fallen while walking him. The woman's husband reported her missing on the night of Sept. 25 after she didn't return from her walk. The man told an Okaloosa County sheriff's deputy that she usually took only 10 to 15 minutes. The deputy began searching the neighborhood and spotted Eeyore in the road. The dog then led the deputy to the woman, who was alert and later taken to a medical facility. She was amazed by Eeyore's actions.
Dozens of ailing animals found in New York home where elderly woman was 'trapped' by debris
NORTHPORT, N.Y. (AP) — More than 200 animals were found at the home of a wildlife rehabilitator in New York where authorities also discovered a 95-year-old woman who was essentially trapped in her room due to clutter in the residence. Suffolk County prosecutors say cats, dogs, parrots, roosters, hedgehogs, chinchillas, guinea pigs, voles and flying squirrels were among the 206 animals found Oct. 1 at the Northport home. The residence was infested with insects and “extremely cluttered” with debris, garbage and household waste, making certain areas impassable. The elderly woman was removed from the home, but further information about her condition was not disclosed.
Purrfect ending: Missing Virginia store cat found after hitching a ride to another state
Francine the cat is back home at a Lowe’s store in Virginia after going missing for a few weeks. The calico cat hitched a ride to a sister facility in another state. After employees at the Richmond store discovered Francine was missing, surveillance footage revealed she had hopped onto a delivery truck. An employee shut the door and off it went to a distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina. Eventually, humane traps were set and Francine was caught. Two employees made the 90-minute drive Monday to pick up Francine. She was back on the job Tuesday, playing with customers, posing for photos and soaking in affection.
The Button King's legacy lives on in quirky South Carolina museum
BISHOPVILLE, S.C. (AP) — J.D. Stevens feels his late father's presence when he enters a shed near his South Carolina home. It's the home of the Button Museum, filled with creations by Dalton Stevens, known as the Button King. Dalton Stevens began sewing buttons on a denim suit in 1983 during sleepless nights. His fame grew from a newspaper story to a local TV spot picked up by then-upstart news network CNN eventually leading to "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1987. Dalton's fame lasted for decades, with appearances on various talk shows. The Button Museum in Bishopville has objects made of buttons, including a hearse, coffin, outhouse and piano, all created by Stevens.
A beauty pageant for buffaloes in Thailand raises status of the humble animal
CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — The humble water buffalo has become a prized show animal in Thailand. They were celebrated Monday at an annual buffalo racing festival in the city of Chonburi. These days tractors have largely replaced the buffalo for heavy farm work. But the contests have sparked a renewed interest in the animals. The festival held at the end of the 11th lunar month celebrates the start of harvest season and the animals that once were vital to Thai agriculture. An albino Thai buffalo sold in 2024 for 18 million baht, or $672,000. The Thai government also has designated a Thai Buffalo Conservation Day while local governments provide breeding assistance to farmers.
Vince Whaley has an audience with a set of teeth. He hits shot with alligator behind him
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Vince Whaley had a nervous moment at the Sanderson Farms Championship. His ball was on the bank of a pond. A 6-foot alligator was 20 feet behind him in the water watching his every move. Whaley turned his back on the gator, calmly played the shot and wound up saving his par. Whaley says he was able to focus on his shot when he turned his back on the gator, and he trusted his caddie to monitor the situation. If the gator moved, Whaley says the plan was to get out of the water.
The first supermoon of the year is approaching. Here's what to know
NEW YORK (AP) — The first supermoon of the year is almost here. The moon will appear slightly larger and brighter on Monday. It's the first of three supermoons this year. This happens when the full moon is closer to Earth in its orbit. Supermoons occur a few times a year. They've visible without special equipment if clear skies permit. But the difference can be tough to discern, especially if people haven’t observed the regular moon on the nights leading up. The closest supermoon of the year is slated for November, followed by another in December.
Colombian soldiers find solace in 'furry force' emotional support dogs
BOGOTA. Colombia (AP) — At the Central Military Hospital in Bogota, a unique team of emotional support dogs is helping wounded soldiers. Known as the “furry force,” these dogs visit service members recovering from injuries sustained in clashes with Colombia’s illegal armed groups. The program started in April 2024, inspired by a visit by an animal care organization. It aims to provide psychological support and ease recovery for soldiers facing physical and emotional scars. The dogs offer therapeutic benefits, helping patients focus on joy rather than pain. The initiative has expanded to include patients' own dogs and wellness breaks for staff.
Bear walked into southern Arizona grocery store and ran around for a few minutes
ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) — A bear surprised shoppers at a southern Arizona grocery store when it walked through the front door and ran around inside for a few minutes before exiting the building. Right before entering the store on Monday, the animal bumped up against the automatic doors and managed to eventually walk in. A video showed a man looking for the bear inside the store. After peering down at his phone, the man looked up to find the bear within several feet of him. The bear ran away from the man. Authorities lost track of the bear after it left the store.
