Here, we take a look back at some of the feel-good Houston-area stories that came out of this particular calendar year, the news that did our hearts good, the joyful tales so sweet they made us smile from ear to ear, the acts of kindness so inspiring they warmed our hearts and made us shed a tear -- or several.
Without further ado, here are eight heartwarming stories we covered this year (A not-so-shocking spoiler: They all have a happy ending).
MORE: The must-read stories of 2023 from KPRC 2
‘God stepped in’: 92-year-old veteran from DRAINED series receives home makeover from community
Hundreds of Houston water customers have reached out to KPRC 2 Investigative Reporter Amy Davis for help with their high water bills. One customer’s case took on a life of it’s own after we introduced you to 92-year-old Navy veteran Jessie Lara and his astronomical water bill. Houstonians stepped and joined forces to help Lara.
‘It doesn’t feel real’: Strangers help dog missing for nearly a year reunite with Houston-area family
A dog that had been missing for nearly a year was reunited with its Spring family thanks to the help of strangers.
90-year-old tortoise named Mr. Pickles welcomes 3 hatchlings at Houston Zoo
The radiated tortoise named Mr. Pickles is the oldest animal at the Houston Zoo. He has been with his partner, Mrs. Pickles, since she arrived in 1996. In June, the couple made national headlines when they welcomed three hatchlings, Dill, Gherkin, and Jalapeño. Radiated tortoises are critically endangered.
‘I just broke down’: Montgomery County woman saves dog with head stuck in jug
A Montgomery County woman rescued a stray dog in desperate need of help.
‘I got you!’ Good Samaritan pulls wounded Houston officer to safety during shootout
A Houston man was hailed as a hero after jumping into action and pulling an injured Houston police officer to safety after he was shot in the leg during a shootout with a suspect.
‘Spencer Solves It’ reunites woman with service dog and cat
Imagine how you’d feel if you lost your beloved pets and couldn’t get them back -- That’s the dilemma one Houston woman found herself in. With no solution in sight, she reached out to Bill Spencer and the Spencer Solves It team for help.
Soldier returning home from active duty surprises daughters at high school volleyball game
A soldier and mother reconnected with her daughters after being gone for a year. Corporal Courtney Jones was overseas on active duty, but is finally home and surprised her daughters at their varsity volleyball game.
‘She said yes’: Sealy man’s proposal to girlfriend becomes airport-wide celebration at Houston Hobby
What started out as a Sealy man’s cute plan to propose to his girlfriend turned into an airport-wide celebration at Hobby Airport in August.