this is what’s right in the world

Dogs have often been lambasted as the source of allergies, but it appears that children who have dogs will be less likely to have allergies later in life. The pollen and germs that dogs bring in supposedly build immune resistance to things like asthma and hay fever.

Go ahead, bring in the dogs!

Source: Dogs help keep children’s allergies at bay

Who says that humans cannot alter the environment without damaging it? In this story a senior. balding penguin was rescued from the discomforts of a naked bottom by an aquatic biologist in California. She saw that Pierre (the penguin, of course) was cold and shivering without his plumage and decided to do something about it.

They do not know if the suit helped him grow back his feathers, but he is well on the way to being the robust gentleman he once was.

Source: Balding penguin gets wetsuit

An Ohio man traveled to Honduras to volunteer with Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO). CAMO works on community development and helps volunteers use their skills to teach in a trade school. Daniel Greaser is a woodworker who was able to teach Honduran students how they could use woodworking to sustainably make money for themselves and their family.

Organizations that empower the local residents are the most sustainable–rather than dropping off a shipment of good, residents are being taught how to continually make their lives better. CAMO is one organization out of many that does this.

Source: Norton resident uses hobby to fight poverty in Honduras

Among the complaints that big business never listens to their customers, some stories about what big business is doing right are arising. It makes sense that they would want input from customers, but companies like Dell and Starbucks are taking serious action to learn more about what their customers want, and in doing so, it seems that they are improving their products.

This move away from corporate indifference can signify great things. Imagine if the larger retail companies were open to a similar model of business change. Perhaps the customers could rally together to insist on changes in the manufacturing process, changing systems to be more concerned about human rights and environmental consequences.

Source: Hey Starbucks, how about coffee cubes?

Once a con, always a con, right? Maybe not–business schools are using convicted white collar criminals as a lesson for their current students with the aim of providing cautionary tales of what can go wrong if you attempt to commit these types of crimes.

In a time when the news in fraught with horror stories of people losing their pensions because of executive criminals, these ex-cons are providing an important service. If this warning deters future crime, then there will be one less story about workers led into poverty because of embezzled funds.

Though this does not make amends for the theft, any good that comes from their lectures is welcomed.

Source: Using ex-cons to scare MBAs straight

Long called the Dark Continent, Africa is represented as a place of violence and turmoil, but the people of Africa have finally put their feet down in protest of Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe. Through collective protest from unions, a shipload of weapons sent from China was turned away by the ports of Africa.

By working together, other African countries were able to deter further despotic action, and because of this, there is certainly hope for Africa’s political future.

Source: An African beacon of morality

There is a green revolution happening before our very eyes. Is it any wonder that weddings have not been unaffected? Brides are starting the think consciously about how to make their weddings better and safer for the environment.

Of course there are many ways to do this, and this is a trend that seems like it will only grow. This shift away from materialism toward environmentalism can only portend the future good that will come from people incorporating green values into all aspects of their lives.

Source: The bride wore…green

Students in Belgium have broken the world record for Coke and Mentos explosions. For hilarious photos and a great video, visit the site to see more.

Not all college experiences have to be academic!

Source: Coke and Mentos: Belgian students break world record

A would be tragedy was averted as a Derbyshire, England, man jumped into a river to save a baby.

Pat Baker dived into the river after the mother wo had a car crash alerted him that there was a baby in the back. He was able to open the door underwater and pull the baby out of the carseat. Emergency workers resuscitated her, and both the mother and child are in stable condition.

You never know when you will be called to help someone–this man was able to change this family’s life as he dived into the water.

Source: Bystander saves canal crash baby

Animals become family members and it can be heartbreaking for their caretakers when they go missing.

The Heffernan family has a greyhound, Prince, who took off one day when a door was accidentally left open. A community effort to locate him failed. Finally, a month later, Clinton Waddell was in the woods and spotted what he thought was a coyote. It turned out to be Prince, who was dangerously underweight. He called the number on his collar and Prince was reunited with his family.

What a relief for the Heffernan family! Remember, if there is any chance of your pets getting outside, make sure they have collars clearly identifying how you can be reached. A happy reunion like that of the Heffernan family could be at stake!

Source: Dog survives a month lost