Honest teen gets a bonus, and more

Honest teen gets a bonus

A teenager who found $2,000 and handed it to the authorities was rewarded for her honesty this week. When Ashley Donaldson, 15, found the money in a North Dallas parking lot earlier this year, police said it would be hers if no one claimed it within three months. But when the time came, she was told the city would keep the money after all. The resulting media outcry prompted an unnamed donor to reward Donaldson with $4,000. Then the city reconsidered, leaving the honest teen $6,000 better off.

Iraq commandant ships pet donkey home

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A donkey beloved to U.S. Marines in Iraq became a U.S. resident this week, thanks to the efforts of a retired commandant. “Smoke” was adopted as a mascot by Marines stationed in a camp near Ramadi but was left behind when the unit went home. Retiring commandant Col. John Folsom felt bad leaving their faithful companion stranded in Iraq, so he arranged to have the beast transported 7,000 miles from Iraq to the U.S. Smoke will now live out the rest of his days as a therapy animal for wounded soldiers in Omaha. “Marines aren’t all tough guys with hard hearts,” said Folsom. “We’re suckers for kids and animals.”

E-mail mistake starts a romance

When Ruben Salazar opened his e-mail one morning, he found a message meant for someone else with a similar name. When he forwarded the e-mail to intended recipient Rachel Salazar, he added a personal message. So began a correspondence that blossomed into friendship and then love. Eleven months after the mistaken e-mail was sent, the two were married. Some doubted their whirlwind romance at first, Rachel admits, but have come to realize the two are meant to be together. “They now all tell us, ‘You’re perfect for each other. You found the right match,’” she said.