It wasn’t all bad
■ Back in 2003, doctors told Bobby Channell he needed a new heart. He finally became eligible earlier this year and completed the procedure in Texas. While recovering at a special facility called Nora’s Home, Channell met Faith Crouch, staying across the hall to recover from a lung transplant for cystic fibrosis. The pair immediately bonded over their shared experience and soon began dating. Channell is still in recovery at Nora’s Home, but the couple is sure their love will outlast their hospital stays. “We definitely want to be together,” Channell said.
■ A 2-year-old Jack Russell terrier has been awarded state honors from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his role in identifying 200 Russian explosives. Patron, whose name translates to “ammo” in Ukrainian, barked and wagged his tail at the award ceremony, which was attended by Canada’s Justin Trudeau. With a protective vest to keep him safe, Patron identifies hidden mines by sniffing for gunpowder. He has also become an unofficial Ukrainian mascot during the war, serving as inspiration for fan art and a popular Instagram page. Despite his newfound fame, the terrier still finds time to play with other canines, sleep, and chow on his favorite snack, cheese.
■ In April, third-graders from Bernard Black Elementary School in Phoenix sat with their parents for what they assumed would be a typical assembly. Then Quintin Boyce, the superintendent of the district—where 90 percent of kids qualify for free or reduced-price lunch—revealed that every student in the class had been awarded a full ride to college, thanks to a donation from a private family charity. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” Boyce said.The gift follows a similar pledge from the same foundation a decade ago, to third graders who are now starting college.