The Girl and the Sheep Who Took the Town (and Homecoming Court) by Storm
Esther the sheep was loved as a daughter and treated as a queen.
This Desert Tortoise Puts the “Forever” in BFF
Our family has had a relationship with an ancient desert tortoise for over 50 years.
My Father-in-Law Had the Whole Family Select His Final Resting Place Before He Passed
When it came to selecting his final resting place, my father-in-law knew to scout the land he loved, with...
How the First Female Newscaster in Anchorage Kept the Town from Falling Apart During the Great Alask...
After the worst earthquake in North American history shocked Anchorage, Alaska, the city leaned on an unlikely savior to see...
Letter from the Editor: Searching for a Good Place
Do you live in a place where people really care?
This Bus Driver Saved a Grandmother from a Violent Assault
Not on his route!
This Woman Has Helped Over 400 Seniors Schedule Vaccine Appointments
She saw a need for help—and didn't hesitate to step up to the plate.
How the Dog Nobody Wanted for 17 Months Became a School’s Unofficial Mascot
When Higgins was found, he had been dumped on the side of the road and appeared aggressive—but with some TLC...
After My Son Fell Down a Waterfall, a Stranger Stepped in to Help Us
The incredible story of how a stranger's quick actions helped a mother through one of the most terrifying moments of...
This Biker Rode 1,426 Miles to Meet the Family of His Organ Donor
Her son’s organ donation saved his life. So he rode to meet her.
Meet the Pitbull Who Became Her Family’s Caretaker
"At that moment, Emmy Lou came up to me and put my whole wrist in her mouth. She was hugging...
After This Man Rescued a Cow from a Dairy Farm, the Two Developed the Most Unbelievable Friendship
Meet Ryan and his 1,000-pound bestie: Jenna the cow. She's brought joy to his life—and also brought him together...
How This Woman and Her Horse Made a Man’s Final Months Full of Life
A horse shunned by his herd gets rescued by a woman who understands his pain. Then they live, play, and—ultimately—grieve...
The Seeing-Eye Dog Who’s Always Ripe for a Challenge
I was at my lowest and things were only getting worse—then I met my service dog, Plum.
How One “Hedgehog Lady” Reignited Her Sense of Purpose
When a baby hedgehog needed a home, this woman stepped in without hesitation.
This Rescue Dog Helps His Owner Nurse Baby Hummingbirds Back to Health
You don't have to be from the same species to be kindred spirits.
Inspiring Stories from People Who Found Their True Calling Halfway Through Life
Some people don’t find their true direction in life until they are halfway through it.
Nicest Places in America 2021
We're on a hunt for the Nicest Places in America!
These Are the 50 Nicest Places in America, According to Our Readers
This list of our 50 Nicest Places in 2020 came from over 1,000 stories sent to us by readers. Check...
Eating Army Food Brings Me Back to Some of the Best Times in My Childhood
Nothing says childhood to me like an Army combat ration—as my husband soon learned.
This Cop Can Recall Every Face He Has Ever Seen
Facial-recognition software identified one suspect of the 4,000 captured by security cameras during the 2011 London riots; Gary Collins identified...
The 50 Nicest Places in America in 2019
This list of our 50 Nicest Places in 2019 came from over 1,000 stories sent to us by readers.
I Got Shot in a Place That Loves Guns, and I Still Can’t Bring Myself to Hate Guns
One Alabama woman’s experience—as an observer and as a shooting victim—underscores how hungry Americans are to reach consensus.
Ex-Gunman Tells Us How to Stop the Next Mass Shooter
An eye-opening look into the minds of mass shooters—from a wannabe killer who was arrested just in the nick of...
How an 18-Year-Old Helped Save a Hiker Who Fell 75 Feet Off a Mountain Cliff
An 18-year-old went on a hike with his mom—and returned home a hero. Here's how his quick actions saved...
This Single Mom Donated the Little Money She Had to Help an Injured Police Officer. Then She Got Exa...
She paid it forward—and got something incredible for her kindness.
Losing My Wedding Ring and Finding It at a Pawn Shop Relates Perfectly to My Marriage
Was it coincidence—or fate—that played a hand here?