Can dogs smell time?

Plus, closing the door on a 'Titanic' debate. [View this email online]( [Best of NPR]( Dec. 25, 2022 --------------------------------------------------------------- Support This Newsletter Every day, the NPR Network works to shed light on inequities in our communities and hold those in power accountable. Just last week, Wells Fargo [agreed to settle charges]( for taking advantage of its customers on their auto loans, mortgages and bank accounts. [NPR's investigative reporting in 2016]( was central to exposing the bank’s corporate malpractice. If you value this work and this newsletter, we hope you will support the NPR Network and our mission’s independent, trustworthy reporting. As we close this year, we rely on our community to fund and support our work. Your investment in our coverage makes a difference. [Donate today](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Scott’s weekly weigh-in [Houston Methodist Hospital]( Pat Sullivan/AP A good holiday weekend to you. We were pleased to rerun a story from last March that reveals a true generosity celebrated in this season: a [10-person-chain kidney donation]( at Houston Methodist Hospital. Michael Wingard, 20, donated to 30-year-old Heather O'Neil, whose twin sister, Staci, donated a kidney to 47-year-old Javier Ramirez Ochoa. Lisa Jolivet donated a kidney that matched up with Michael's friend, Kaelyn Connelly, so that Lisa's 72-year-old mother, Barbara Moton, could receive one from 67-year-old David McLellan, so his son Chris, could receive a kidney from Tomas Martinez so that Javier Ramirez Ochoa could receive that kidney from Heather's twin sister, Staci O’ Neil. A 10-person chain of life. People of all walks, origins, and beliefs, brought together by their decision to help save the life of someone they didn’t know. Producers Samantha Balaban and Gabriel Dunatov, editor D. Parvaz and I spent long hours in operating rooms, marveling at what medical teams accomplished. But the doctors, nurses, and techs didn’t like to hear us describe their achievements as miracles. “We don’t want patients to think their lives depend on a miracle,” a team nurse told me. “For us, it’s plumbing. We know we can do it, and do it time after time.” They hope more people will consider making live donations, which can be safely done and save lives. It was one of the blessings of our year to have so many people let us into their lives. And, by the way, all the people in the 10-person chain are doing well. Also, this week we spoke with the great Bill Nighy about his touching film, [Living]( in which a seemingly dull man finds new purpose and joy at life’s end. And an essay on [President Zelenskyy]( lighting a light for the world. [Scott Simon]( Scott Simon is one of NPR's most renowned news anchors. He is the host of [Weekend Edition Saturday]( and one of the hosts of the morning news podcast Up First. Be sure to listen to him every Saturday on your local NPR station, and follow him [on Twitter](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Stories you may have missed Laura Gao for NPR It's a mystery that has dogged a family: How could Donut the dog tell time? And not just the approximate time, but the [exact moment before]( the school bus would arrive. Every. Single. Day. It was likely because she could smell the time. An ABC News producer traded on her position at least three times to trip up Florida politicians whose environmental stances cut against the interests of a [consulting firm's powerful clients](. Her actions confirm people's worst suspicions about the news media, says a former network news president. Fox News' Sean Hannity said he knew all along Trump lost the election. "I did not believe it for one second," [Hannity said under oath]( about former President Trump's false claims that Dominion Voting Systems cheated him of votes in 2020. Dominion is suing Fox News. --------------------------------------------------------------- It all comes down to you Your financial support is the NPR Network's greatest strength. You keep the facts flowing. You bring more stories to more ears. You make a real difference when you contribute to independent, trustworthy media. [Please donate today](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images Could Jack have fit on the makeshift raft along with Rose at the end of Titanic? James Cameron hopes to finally [close the door on the debate](. Zeppelin, a 3-year-old German shepherd mix who has been missing since October 2021, was [found 1,600 miles away]( and will be home for Christmas. Dark chocolate bars tested by Consumer Reports exceeded California's daily maximum levels for [lead or cadmium](. But a toxicologist says it's nothing to worry about in moderation. A reader asks Life Kit: We bought a dog instead of rescuing one, and it cost me a friend. Should I try to [salvage the relationship]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]