Happy Friday, y’all! Apologies first of all for there being no post on Wednesday; my Tuesdays this spring have gotten extremely busy and there have been a few times where I just ran out of time to post.
But I’m back now and it’s Friday, and I’m super excited for Final Four weekend, both men’s and women’s! Women play tonight, men tomorrow, it finally freaking stopped raining here in New York on Thursday after a Noah’s Arc-like few days of downpour, and I’m ready for some good news! Also, basketball fans, I want to point you to this wonderful story about Ian Eagle, longtime fabulous broadcaster who’s doing his first Final Four for CBS. Bryan Curtis did a great profile of “Bird” on Ringer.com
OK on to the Good News! My first story today comes from Upworthy.com, and a pretty incredible dog.
From the story: “One pit bull mix, Ares, possibly named after the Greek God of war and courage, showed incredible bravery and intelligence after she and her mom were in a car accident.
Ares and her mom, Melissa Fickle were driving with the windows down while they were on their way to the park. It was then that Fickle got into a car accident at an intersection causing Ares to bolt through the window and run off. The jolted woman thought the dog ran off into a neighborhood and worried she wouldn’t see the sweet girl again, but Ares knew just where to go for help.
Instead of roaming the streets scared, the black pibble ran a full mile to get to the doggy daycare she visits often, demanding someone notice her.
In the security camera footage, you see Ares repeatedly jump at the door like she’s trying to knock. Eventually the owner at Hounds Town Metro Detroit notices the dog and comes out to check on her. When he didn’t see Fickle with Ares, the owner of the daycare called Ares’s mom, much to her relief. Since she was dealing with the aftermath of the accident, she could now rest assured that her brave pup was safe.
“Luckily, then he called me and said, ‘she’s here’ and I literally sank to the ground,” Fickle tells WXYZ-TV Detroit.
That sweet dog knew exactly where to get help. Thankfully the accident wasn’t a major one and the duo are back together. Ares is even brave enough to get back into the car for more trips to the park and daycare.”
Pretty amazing stuff. Dogs, man. They’re pretty awesome.
**Next up, I’ve written before about the glorious halftime entertainer named Red Panda, who comes out on a unicycle, wearing high heels, and juggles plates on her head. She is an incredible performer who has entertained millions at hundreds of NBA and college basketball arenas. I’ve been lucky enough to see her act live a few times and I always come away mesmerized. Well, the great sports podcast host Pablo Torre has enlisted some other hoops media personalities to try to get Red Panda into the Hall of Fame.
It would be sensational if it happens; click the above link to sign on. And if you have never seen her, well, check out this video of her act, and tell me she’s not Hall of Fame worthy!
**And finally today, a delightful story from Steve Hartman, who goes to Maine to find an 8-year-old named James who decided to start dressing up for school a few years ago, and now has started a sartorial revolution among the little people set.
So many glorious quotes in this piece, but my favorite is the little girl who said “I’m a little itchy, but it’s fine.”
Have a great weekend.
Wide World of Stuff 