Latest news with #Wren
Newsweek
16 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Woman Adopts Rescue Cat, Gets Home and Realizes Something 'Wasn't Normal'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After her pet passed, Wren couldn't stand being in an empty house, which is why she quickly went to the shelter to adopt another cat—but as soon as she got home with her new feline, she knew something "wasn't normal." Wren, who runs the Instagram account @puddlesforbrains, shared in a June 12 video that her new cat, Puddles, started showing unique behaviors soon after finding her new home in April 2024. From not caring about the vacuum noise to being unable to track a toy, Wren ran through a list of possibilities: Is Puddles deaf or blind? Visits to the vet didn't provide immediate answers. The cat's "no-fear instinct" toward loud noises convinced not one, but two veterinarians that she was deaf, Wren told Newsweek via email. "She is really bad at tracking things with her eyes," Wren said. "It's almost like she has tunnel vision and doesn't use her peripheral vision." However, it turned out Puddles has excellent vision. What Wren learned was that Puddles had a learning disability. "The vet did confirm that she has a learning disability," she said. "They believe she has some cognitive dysfunction that presents as a learning disability." Screenshots from a June 12 Instagram video of an owner discovering her cat has a learning disability. Screenshots from a June 12 Instagram video of an owner discovering her cat has a learning disability. @puddlesforbrains/Instagram All breeds of cats can experience cognitive dysfunction, also known as kitty dementia, a vet-reviewed article from Catster reported. This disorder usually affects cats 10 years or older, and is characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities such as memory, learning and spatial awareness. The team believes that Puddles' cognitive dysfunction was caused by a mix of brain damage, due to an accident that broke her leg, and malnutrition as a kitten, Wren said. But it is impossible to know for certain, as Puddles was a stray kitty for the first six months of her life. Wren couldn't imagine a life without Puddles now, quirks and all. She explained that Puddles does not turn her head left or right and rarely looks behind. Instead, she'll tilt her head backward and look at you upside down. Her walking routes aren't always the smartest. She'll take the slow way, feeling along the walls of the house. And if she wants to turn, she stands up against the wall and uses it to help. Plus, she's a bit clumsy. She never stops meowing or wanting to cuddle. "Adopting her is the single best thing to ever happen to me, and I don't think anything will ever beat that," Wren said. "She is the love of my life and my soulmate." Instagram users quickly became obsessed with Puddles, bringing the video to over 2.3 million views and 305,000 likes as of Friday. "She is 'no thoughts, just vibes' personified and she's absolutely perfect," commented a viewer. Another person added: "It's so amazing that she has a home where she's perfectly happy and lives a wonderful life even with her silliness! Y'all are doing a great thing for her." A third user wrote: "It honestly didn't cross my mind that a cat could have a learning disability for some reason. Or maybe I never thought of what this would look like. She's such a sweetheart." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Sea captain who oversaw dramatic launches and rescues dies
Died: April 26, 2025 Captain John MacLeod, who has died aged 91, was a sea captain and Clyde river pilot. As the special pilot for Scott Lithgow's during its heyday of shipbuilding on the Clyde he oversaw some of the most complex vessel launches ever performed. At over 250 000 tons, the crude carriers The Nordic Clansman and World Score were constructed in two sections, at the Glen Yard, Port Glasgow in 1974. In groundbreaking fashion, each section was launched independently then fastened while afloat on the river under John's supervision. He was born into a seafaring family and lived in Jura Street, Greenock. His father, Neil, was bosun on the King Edward Clyde steamer and his uncle was a captain on the Royal Scotsman and the Royal Ulsterman on the Glasgow Belfast run. In 1939, along with his elder siblings and cousins, he was evacuated to his Aunt Jenny's home in Kames on the Kyles of Bute. There the children were entertained by Italian prisoners of war who put on regular concerts and shows and received sweets and treats from American GIs who, along with their British counterparts, were rehearsing D-Day landings on the concrete ramp at Blair's Ferry, just south of Tighnabruaich. He missed the Kyles terribly when he had to return to school in Greenock, marking time until he could go to sea. Using his family contacts, he would sneak on to steamers that docked at Gourock, taking his 'place' on the bridge. At 16 he signed up with the Athel Line which was closely associated with the sugar company Tate & Lyle. He first served on the Athel Regent (co-incidentally built at Glen Yard) and didn't return until 17 months later. On his second trip in 1952, while approaching Trinidad, the captain received a telegram informing him of the death of King George VI. As the youngest on board, John was instructed to lower the Ensign and muster the staff on the poop deck in tribute. He travelled extensively. A frequent run was Calcutta to the West Indies and on to Liverpool or Greenock with molasses. He achieved his master's ticket at the age of 26. Unsurprisingly, at every opportunity he headed to Argyll where his brother Archie and sister Wren lived. Archie was the manager of the government-funded Hill Farming Research Organisation experimental farm and Wren was the local district nurse. Wren was dating (and subsequently married) Findlay Mills who also worked at the experimental farm. Findlay invited his sister Mary to visit from time to time. Mary and John clicked, and subsequently married in 1963. Read more Jim Prime, widely admired keyboard lynchpin of Deacon Blue | The Herald Tributes to senior figure in fire service whose great love was piping | The Herald Son of Scottish butcher who became visionary boss of British Rail dies | The Herald An opportunity to join the Clyde Pilotage at the age of 32 allowed him to combine his love of the sea with his love of family. For many years he climbed and descended rope ladders on the sides of vessels of all shapes and sizes and in all weathers. In 1981, the Iolair, a unique oil platform maintenance and support vessel, was commissioned by BP for initial use in the Forties field. It was constructed by Scott Lithgow in Port Glasgow. The vessel resembled an oil rig with a low draft and large infrastructure. Its launch, considered the most complex in the history of the Clyde, was John's responsibility. The launch had been simulated three times by engineers at Glasgow University and each time the model had tipped over. The day before the launch, Mary overheard a telephone conversation at home which ended 'well, if that happens, we'll swim for it…' The next day, after completing her duties as a teacher at Ardgowan Primary School, Greenock, Mary drove quickly to the top of Lyle Hill to inspect progress. Noting that the structure was upright and apparently secure, dinner was prepared. In 1983 the Iolair was the subject of a commemorative stamp issued by the Post Office, one of three celebrating British engineering achievements. The Iolair is apparently still in service to this day off the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. John MacLeod at sea (Image: Contributed) In 1997, MT Soro, a 300 000-ton fully-loaded oil tanker was en route from Norway to Canada when it ran into trouble in storm conditions, rendering it rudderless. After a 90-minute flight in a Bristow's helicopter from Glasgow, Captain MacLeod, now aged 63, and his trainee pilot David Blair, were winched onto the rolling and pitching vessel. Twenty-six hours later, with the help of a number of tugboats, it was safely anchored south of the Cumbrae Gap in the Clyde, narrowly avoiding an environmental disaster. As senior pilot, John was given the honour of piloting the Royal Yacht Brittania on its final tour of Britain. As she sailed past John Brown's shipyard, her birthplace, she gave a blast on her sirens as a fond farewell. In common with many of the Gourock pilots he was an enthusiastic member of the Gourock Curling Club. In retirement he served as works convenor for the Greenock Medical Aid Society at Glenfield Home. When not travelling extensively around the globe or frequenting his second home in the Lake District, he would be found perfecting his garden 'no more than 20 minutes' walk from Gourock Harbour in case a boat comes round the corner unexpectedly'. John MacLeod was predeceased by Mary, and a son Findlay Neil. He is survived by his daughters, Rhona and Kirsty.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Sea caption who oversaw dramatic launches and rescues dies
Died: April 26, 2025 Captain John MacLeod, who has died aged 91, was a sea captain and Clyde river pilot. As the special pilot for Scott Lithgow's during its heyday of shipbuilding on the Clyde he oversaw some of the most complex vessel launches ever performed. At over 250 000 tons, the crude carriers The Nordic Clansman and World Score were constructed in two sections, at the Glen Yard, Port Glasgow in 1974. In groundbreaking fashion, each section was launched independently then fastened while afloat on the river under John's supervision. He was born into a seafaring family and lived in Jura Street, Greenock. His father, Neil, was bosun on the King Edward Clyde steamer and his uncle was a captain on the Royal Scotsman and the Royal Ulsterman on the Glasgow Belfast run. In 1939, along with his elder siblings and cousins, he was evacuated to his Aunt Jenny's home in Kames on the Kyles of Bute. There the children were entertained by Italian prisoners of war who put on regular concerts and shows and received sweets and treats from American GIs who, along with their British counterparts, were rehearsing D-Day landings on the concrete ramp at Blair's Ferry, just south of Tighnabruaich. He missed the Kyles terribly when he had to return to school in Greenock, marking time until he could go to sea. Using his family contacts, he would sneak on to steamers that docked at Gourock, taking his 'place' on the bridge. At 16 he signed up with the Athel Line which was closely associated with the sugar company Tate & Lyle. He first served on the Athel Regent (co-incidentally built at Glen Yard) and didn't return until 17 months later. On his second trip in 1952, while approaching Trinidad, the captain received a telegram informing him of the death of King George VI. As the youngest on board, John was instructed to lower the Ensign and muster the staff on the poop deck in tribute. He travelled extensively. A frequent run was Calcutta to the West Indies and on to Liverpool or Greenock with molasses. He achieved his master's ticket at the age of 26. Unsurprisingly, at every opportunity he headed to Argyll where his brother Archie and sister Wren lived. Archie was the manager of the government-funded Hill Farming Research Organisation experimental farm and Wren was the local district nurse. Wren was dating (and subsequently married) Findlay Mills who also worked at the experimental farm. Findlay invited his sister Mary to visit from time to time. Mary and John clicked, and subsequently married in 1963. Read more Jim Prime, widely admired keyboard lynchpin of Deacon Blue | The Herald Tributes to senior figure in fire service whose great love was piping | The Herald Son of Scottish butcher who became visionary boss of British Rail dies | The Herald An opportunity to join the Clyde Pilotage at the age of 32 allowed him to combine his love of the sea with his love of family. For many years he climbed and descended rope ladders on the sides of vessels of all shapes and sizes and in all weathers. In 1981, the Iolair, a unique oil platform maintenance and support vessel, was commissioned by BP for initial use in the Forties field. It was constructed by Scott Lithgow in Port Glasgow. The vessel resembled an oil rig with a low draft and large infrastructure. Its launch, considered the most complex in the history of the Clyde, was John's responsibility. The launch had been simulated three times by engineers at Glasgow University and each time the model had tipped over. The day before the launch, Mary overheard a telephone conversation at home which ended 'well, if that happens, we'll swim for it…' The next day, after completing her duties as a teacher at Ardgowan Primary School, Greenock, Mary drove quickly to the top of Lyle Hill to inspect progress. Noting that the structure was upright and apparently secure, dinner was prepared. In 1983 the Iolair was the subject of a commemorative stamp issued by the Post Office, one of three celebrating British engineering achievements. The Iolair is apparently still in service to this day off the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. John MacLeod at sea (Image: Contributed) In 1997, MT Soro, a 300 000-ton fully-loaded oil tanker was en route from Norway to Canada when it ran into trouble in storm conditions, rendering it rudderless. After a 90-minute flight in a Bristow's helicopter from Glasgow, Captain MacLeod, now aged 63, and his trainee pilot David Blair, were winched onto the rolling and pitching vessel. Twenty-six hours later, with the help of a number of tugboats, it was safely anchored south of the Cumbrae Gap in the Clyde, narrowly avoiding an environmental disaster. As senior pilot, John was given the honour of piloting the Royal Yacht Brittania on its final tour of Britain. As she sailed past John Brown's shipyard, her birthplace, she gave a blast on her sirens as a fond farewell. In common with many of the Gourock pilots he was an enthusiastic member of the Gourock Curling Club. In retirement he served as works convenor for the Greenock Medical Aid Society at Glenfield Home. When not travelling extensively around the globe or frequenting his second home in the Lake District, he would be found perfecting his garden 'no more than 20 minutes' walk from Gourock Harbour in case a boat comes round the corner unexpectedly'. John MacLeod was predeceased by Mary, and a son Findlay Neil. He is survived by his daughters, Rhona and Kirsty.
The Age
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Age
Heidelberg West rallies against council plan to close its run-down pool
A public swimming pool in Melbourne's historic Olympic Village could close within months, as the council weighs whether to decommission the centre – which is in a disadvantaged area – while spending more than $38 million upgrading a pool in a wealthier neighbouring suburb. Heidelberg West locals say they have been blindsided by the potential loss of their pool, just three years after they joined with Banyule City Council in a redevelopment proposal for the run-down Olympic Leisure Centre that was hailed as 'a once-in-a-lifetime project'. On Monday night, Banyule councillors will vote on a recommendation to close the pool, spa and sauna at the centre in the Olympic Village and convert the space into a library. The centre, which has serviced the public since the village built for athletes at the 1956 Olympics was turned into public housing estates in the 1970s, is outdated and open to the public for limited hours. The 12-metre children's pool was permanently closed for safety reasons in 2021, after several swimmers cut themselves on sharp edges in the pool shell. The 25-metre pool was also temporarily closed that year to repair leaks and structural damage and remove mould. Loading According to a report by Banyule council officers, the pool is no longer fit for purpose, is visited by about 77 patrons a day and is a drain on council finances, running at a loss of $1.01 million in 2023-24. Its operation costs the council almost $36 per visitor compared with an 'industry average' of $4 to $5. The report recommends closing the aquatic centre in October, converting the space into a library that would open for 30 hours a week, and investigating the feasibility of creating a splash park in Heidelberg West. Paediatrician Dr Aiden Varan lives two blocks from the centre and often takes his young daughter Wren, an enthusiastic swimmer, even though the children's pool is boarded off.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Program to 'light up' downtown area of Portsmouth to improve safety and visibility
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A new grant program is hoping to light up the downtown area of Portsmouth. The Executive Director of the Portsmouth Partnership, Michelle Wren, said the area used to be lit up. The organization is hoping to bring that back with their recently launched 'Safe and Secure Downtown' Program. It works in two ways and will be in place between the 100 and 700 blocks of High Street. First, they plan to light the trees in the median of the street. Then, they want the businesses that line this stretch of the street to join in too. 'They will get $1,000 if they upgrade their lighting as part of this program and their security cameras. We are going to give them a $1,000 donation towards the project, and we're also going to help them with city permitting and the downtown Design Council,' Wren said. Portsmouth Partnership is hoping this will all improve safety, security and nighttime visibility for properties in the High Street corridor. The area saw a bit of crime last year, so organizers want this to make a difference. Mayor Shannon Glover said the city will support this effort in any way they can. 'When people can see more, then they can do more. They can be happier, they can feel safer and then it kind of persuades people that don't want to do the right thing, not to show up,' Glover said. So far, Portsmouth Partnership has raised $40,000 dollars to go towards the program through several different sponsors. Now, they're searching for businesses who want to participate. Businesses like ELG Sweet Boutique are all for more lighting. 'It helps to draw more customers here, of course, but also some security that we need to feel safe for our employees, as well as for our customers that come in to visit us,' Tonya Perkins, Chief Operating Officer of ELG Sweet Boutique, said. Click here for more information about the program as a whole, and here for details about the business participation bonus. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
