Epic Answer to Tormentor: 5 Great Things This Week

An inspiring response to an online tormentor and a pair of remarkable stories of ocean survival make the list:

• Teen Bullied as 'Fat Whale' Raising Cash for Whales: After Dannie "Dee" McMillan started noticing snickers in the halls of her Texas high school, the 16-year-old learned she was the subject of a Twitter page called "Dee's a fat whale." Awful, yes, but Dee has turned it into something awesome, a fundraiser for actual whales. Her spirit and sense of humor caught the attention of a plus-size role model.
• Dog Lost at Sea Turns Up Weeks Later: On Feb. 10, an 18-month-old German shepherd named Luna went over the side of her owner's fishing boat as he was pulling in lobster traps near San Diego. He searched the sea, and so did the Navy from its nearby base, with no luck. Luna was presumed dead—right up until the moment Navy staffers this week spotted a wagging tail.

• Trash Company Makes Miraculous Find: Missouri's Bernie Squitieri accidentally tossed his wife's 12.5-carat wedding ring in the trash after it was left in paper towels on a counter. The garbage had been picked up by the time he realized his mistake, but the hauler agreed to comb through literally tons of garbage and, somehow, found it. The ring's worth? Let's just say it was worth the hunt.
• Surprise Find in Goodwill Bin: a Purple Heart: A couple in Mesa, Ariz., were browsing in their local Goodwill when they spotted a Purple Heart medal selling for all of $4.99. Luckily, it had a name on it, and the couple used that name to track down next of kin. It will be soon be in a fitting place of honor.
• Guy Knocked Off Boat Swims 7 Hours to Puerto Rico: David Thompson was sailing from Puerto Rico to Florida when the 68-year-old was knocked overboard by a wave. With no life jacket, it's no small feat that he made it to shore, exhausted and bloodied by coral, seven hours later. He credits one thought in particular for keeping him going.

Click for more uplifting news. (More uplifting news stories.)