Toddler Befriends an Orphaned Baby Orangutan

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:20:00 GMT

This is one of those things that's so cute it verges on obnoxious. A one-year-old orangutan named Rishi, born at an animal sanctuary, was rejected by all of the males in his group. So the little guy was sent to The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS) in Miami, Florida.

When photographer Barry Bland went to take photos of Rishi in his new home, he brought along his two-year-old daughter, Emily. As you can tell from these photos, Rishi and Emily became fast friends, which actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it: they both communicate largely with their hands, they have the same interests (playing, eating, napping), and they are both the most winsome members of their respective species.

Photos: CFP

Elephant Cares for Injured Dog

Nothing Says, "I Love You, Mom," Like Her Very Own Church

Amy S.F. Lutz — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:03:00 GMT

There's been no shortage of stories in recent years about the incredible depths of depravity to which many professional athletes have sunk: drugs, infidelity, even murder. So it's kind of refreshing to hear about NBA MVP Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat, who recently bought his mother her own church - even if I personally would have preferred something more along the lines of a 1909 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost convertible, along with a male underwear model to chauffeur me around.

Then again, Jolinda Wade probably has different priorities. A former drug addict, she spent Dwayne's childhood bouncing in and out of prison while Dwayne's older sister Tragil pretty much raised her three siblings. Seven years ago, Tragil convinced her mother to come with her to church - a visit that inspired Jolinda to turn her life around, eventually starting minister training in 2004. She began the Temple of Praise in Chicago last October, out of a small rented room that could barely accommodate the 47 original members. Hundreds of worshippers attended the consecration of the new church, including the mothers of Shaquille O'Neal and Magic Johnson.

I just love these stories about superstars who haven't forgotten that they owe everything to Mom. It gives me hope that maybe my own children won't set me adrift on an iceberg when I'm old and feeble.

AP Photo

Strollerderby : miami heat

Toddler Befriends an Orphaned Baby Orangutan

Nothing Says, "I Love You, Mom," Like Her Very Own Church