FOREVER FRIEND: 'Sweet, shy' mixed-breed pup Stu ready to find a home
Despite his initial shyness, Stu, a one-year-old, mixed-breed male dog, is ready for his Forever Home.
'Stu was brought into the Toronto Humane Society in early May as part of a transfer from northern Ontario — he came in with seven other dogs,' said Toronto Humane Society spokesperson Lucas Solowey.
'He's gentle, he can be shy and he's still figuring out that the world can be a safe and a kind place. He eases into things. He keeps cautious steps. He's learning to trust, but when he does, it's truly something special.
Solowey said Stu is interested in new people and places, 'but it can be a lot for him so he just needs to pause, lie down, take a moment to feel OK.
'But with a little patience and some kinds words and maybe a trail of Cesar treats, Stu will find the courage to keep going and get to know new people and new environments,' he said. 'He's not the type to seek out getting pets right away, but given time he'll gently lean into your hand with a quiet kind of trust that feels like a gift.'
Those wanting to get to know the key to Stu's happiness should know he loves playing with a tennis ball.
'He lights up when he gets to play with it in the park,' said Solowey.
'Sometimes he'll even take the lead; he'll wag his tail and you'll make sure you're right there next to him. I'd say in terms of behaviour, he's sweet, he's nice, he's gentle, he just can have some nervousness at first and once he eases into that environment, you'll see his tail wagging. You'll want to play ball with him. So lots of sweet things about his personality.'
Solowey also wasn't sure about placing him in a home with small kids.
'It's probably best just to start off with him, just because he has some nervousness,' he said. 'So I think just having that calm space and patience will make him feel right at home. And then maybe in the future, once he feels at home with his new family, potentially introducing another dog or pet in the future. He has a good temperament. Just go slow with some patience and he'll be your most loyal friend. He just needs someone to believe in him and take that time with him.'
Anyone interested in adopting Stu can visit torontohumanesociety.com to start the adoption process.
UPDATE: Oswald the bunny, a 14-month-old Lionhead/American rabbit from April's Forever Friend column, was adopted.
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New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Why this Cup final is already different. Plus: The PWHL gets expansion right
Red Light newsletter 🏒 | This is The Athletic's hockey newsletter. Sign up here to receive Red Light directly in your inbox. Good morning to everyone except whoever keeps putting those multi-day gaps in the Stanley Cup Final schedule. The rematch between the Panthers and Oilers is finally underway — let's dig into it. Last night's Game 1 offered a few things we didn't get at all in last year's seven-game prequel. A Leon Draisaitl goal. Any Oilers goal at all in the opener. And most importantly: sudden-death overtime. Yes, we all got to ride our motorcycles out of the helicopter last night, something that hadn't happened in either of the conference finals. I won't keep you in suspense, here's how it ended: That's Draisaitl burying the winner on the power play off a pass from, who else, Connor McDavid. Yes, an overtime power play, which can only mean one thing: The dreaded puck-over-glass rule showed up, with Florida's Tomas Nosek making the mistake that ended up deciding the game. Draisaitl's goal was his second of the game, one year after he was held to just three assists in the final. Advertisement The loss hardly feels like a disaster for the Panthers; after all, we knew they weren't going to jump out to a 3-0 lead this time around (or did we?). They'll want to to respond tomorrow to avoid a 2-0 deficit, although even that wouldn't mean game over. For now, they can focus on the positive: They led for most of the game, they nearly stole a road win and they kept Connor McDavid from any highlight-reel miracles. For now, at least. (Speaking of highlights, did you know you can now get NHL highlights directly in The Athletic app? I would never lie to you about something this important.) Game 2 is tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, MAX and Sportsnet. If it's as good as Game 1, we might be headed toward a classic. Are you tired of the Canada vs. USA discourse yet? I'm getting there. And I get it — we do this every time a Canadian team makes the final against an American opponent, and it's especially relevant given everything that's gone on this year, including the 4 Nations chaos. We got into the topic on yesterday's podcast. It's a thing. Your two favorite hockey newsletter writers even debated the whole 'Canada's Team' thing a few years ago, when the political climate was admittedly different. I won't relitigate it all here. But I do want to know what you think. So please take a minute to fill out my one-question survey, and I'll share the results in Monday's newsletter. Survey: Canada vs. USA — Who are you cheering for in the Stanley Cup Final, and why? (And if you're still trying to decide who to root for, I've got you covered with my annual rooting guide.) 🏒 We've got new coaches. Just this morning, the Bruins hired Marco Sturm as their new head coach. He's best known in Boston as Patrice Bergeron's former left wing, so he's instantly got more name recognition than the new head coach of the Penguins, Dan Muse. It's OK to admit you have no idea who that is. Josh Yohe brings you up to speed on a coach hired off the Rangers staff. Advertisement 🚨 Nikita Kucherov is your Ted Lindsay Award winner as most outstanding player, as voted on by his fellow players. Will he pair it with the Hart Trophy as MVP? We won't find out until a week from now, with a condensed one-hour version of the annual awards show hosted by that guy from that commercial from a decade ago. 📺 I don't want to burden you … But if you missed it, I teamed up with Other Sean for our annual exchange of the most annoying playoff ads of the year. 💲 The Avalanche have locked up deadline rental Brock Nelson, and he didn't come cheap. Dom Luszczyszyn's model sees trouble down the road. 🔥The start of the Stanley Cup Final means we get our annual 'State of the NHL' update from Gary Bettman and friends. This year's edition featured some news. This is how you do expansion 🔥 Pop quiz, hotshot: When was the last NHL expansion draft? There's a good chance you said 2021, or maybe 2017 if you're one of the increasing number of fans who occasionally forget the Kraken exist. And sure, according to the NHL, you'd be right. But were either of those events really drafts? I'd argue no, because a 'draft' implies more than one team taking turns with selections. The Kraken and Golden Knights both entered the league solo, meaning their expansion was less of a draft and more just a case of submitting a list. Which brings us to the PWHL, and what's happening over the next few days. Now this is an expansion draft. The league is adding two teams this summer, with Seattle and Vancouver joining the six existing clubs. The expansion rules were announced last month, and they'll be stunning to fans who are used to hearing NHL GMs cry about losing their ninth-best forward. PWHL teams can only protect three players on their initial lists, which has led to huge names like Hilary Knight and Sarah Nurse being made available. Vancouver and Seattle wasted little time utilizing their exclusive window to sign free agents — Knight signed in Seattle and Nurse in Vancouver — leading into Monday night's draft. Keep this link handy: We're tracking all the signings as they happen. Advertisement As always, Hailey Salvian has you covered, including with yesterday's mock draft with Shayna Goldman. We'll have more on how things have shaken out on Monday morning. 📺 I don't know … maybe basketball? I've heard some people like it. The NBA Finals start tonight (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), and yes, they do call it the 'finals,' plural. In hockey, it's the 'final,' which you know if you follow even one sportswriter on social media because we all become weird pedants about this stuff at this time of year. Can we not get the leadership from the two leagues together and reach a consensus on this? Final or finals — it doesn't matter, guys, just pick one and ride with it. Where was I? Oh right, basketball. We worked out a little exchange program between Red Light and our friends over at The Bounce, our NBA newsletter. As part of that, we asked Zach Harper what he found interesting about the Stanley Cup. His answer: They move around on knives! How does this not freak people out?! I also find it fascinating that we haven't had a Canadian team win a Stanley Cup title in over 30 years, and a team from Florida could block the Oilers two years in a row. 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The longer, and more accurate answer: There are a whole bunch of rules around how a faceoff is supposed to be done, taking up the better part of four full pages of the rulebook. Most of those are focused on the centers taking the draw, who have to have their shoulders square, their sticks down properly and their skates in the right place, and can't move until the puck does. Meanwhile, their teammates are supposed to stay out of the circle, and avoid contact. If the linesman feels like any of those rules are violated in a way that prevents a clean draw, he can kick the offending team's center out, to be replaced by a teammate. If the same team commits a second violation on the same draw, it's a minor penalty for delay of game. As most fans have noticed, some of these rules are enforced inconsistently. For example, the wingers infringe on the circle on just about every draw, and it's almost never called. Sometimes the linesman will issue a warning instead, at least for a first offense. You'll also get those frustrating plays where the linesman only decides the faceoff wasn't done properly after he drops the puck, and we have to start all over again. But in general, there's a ton of gamesmanship involved in every faceoff, and if a center gets tossed, it's because the linesman feels that he went too far. Believe it or not, the longest current drought for a regular-season division title is owned by none other than the Edmonton Oilers, who haven't finished first since 1987 despite appearing in five finals (and winning two) in that span. 📫 Love Red Light? Check out The Athletic's other newsletters.
CNET
3 hours ago
- CNET
Switch 2 Stock Tracker: Select In-Store Availability, Online Target Restock Tomorrow
It's finally here. After months of anticipation, Nintendo's brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 is (technically) available now. As anticipated, the consoles are flying off of shelves as fast as retailers can stock them, so it'll be a bit of a challenge if you're hoping to get your hands on one anytime soon. That being said, challenging doesn't mean impossible, and CNET is here to help give you the best chance of success. Our dedicated shopping team is scouring the web for any and all availability -- whether it's online or in-store -- and bringing you all the latest updates. We've rounded up everything you need to know about current stocks below, and we'll continue to update this page regularly in the coming days, so be sure to check back back often. 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Details See at Walmart (console only) See at Walmart (MKW bundle) Close Nintendo Switch 2 at Target Target is offering in-person shopping today, and if you're lucky you may be able to find it in stock near you. You can check online to see if any nearby stores have availability but note that you can't order it for pickup. Target has also staggered its release and will offering online availability tomorrow. However, there aren't any times yet, so we'd have your alarm set for midnight ET just to be safe. Samsung 256GB microSD Express Even with the Switch 2's boosted storage, you may be looking to increase its memory with a microSD card. This Samsung Express microSD is designed specifically for Nintendo's new console and even features a unique Mario-inspired design. Details See at Target Close Nintendo Switch 2 at Newegg As of now, Newegg is still sold out of both versions of the console, and it's unclear when the next restock will be. Though it's worth noting that Newegg is slightly less popular than major retailers like Walmart or Target, which could give you a better chance of securing an order during any future restocks, so keep an eye out. Nintendo Switch 2 camera This compact camera lists for $55 and plugs directly into the Switch 2 console or dock's USB-C port so you can chat with friends or access in-game features for select titles. It has a wide-angle lens and you can adjust the angle to easily keep yourself in frame. Plus, it will automatically adjust its brightness so your face is always visible. Details See at Newegg Close Nintendo Switch 2 at Nintendo To help combat scalpers, Nintendo requires you to have an invitation to purchase the Switch 2, with priority being given to Nintendo Switch Online members who've had a paid membership for at least 12 months and had a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours as of April 2. These invitations are first come, first served and will be valid for 72 hours. You can still register now if you haven't already. Nintendo US As with its preorders, you'll have to register and receive an invitation to purchase the Switch 2 directly from Nintendo. You can register your interest for either console but you have to log in to do so. Details See at Nintendo Close Nintendo Canada Just like US shoppers, Canadian gamers will have to register and then wait to receive an invitation to purchase the Switch 2 from Nintendo directly. Details See at Nintendo Close Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller As with the Switch 2 console, accessories like the $85 Pro Controller will require you to register for an invitation if you're hoping to order one directly from Nintendo. Details See at Nintendo Close Nintendo Switch 2 at Amazon The Switch 2 is not available for purchase at Amazon in the US, but Canadian shoppers can request an invite for either the standalone console or Mario Kart World bundle. Amazon As of now, the Switch 2 is still not available at Amazon in the US, and there's no information about if or when that will change. Details See at Amazon Close Nintendo Switch 2 at Costco Costco is one of the only retailers with online availability right now, but you'll need to be a member to grab one of these consoles. Act fast if you don't want to miss out. Costco Costco has a unique Switch 2 bundle available. It includes the console and Mario Kart World, as well as a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership and upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Details See at Costco Close Nintendo Switch 2 at Staples A number of Staples stores around the country have the Switch 2 available for purchase in-store. You can check the list of participating locations here, but note that this does not reflect current availability. Staples Staples has a limited supply of Switch 2 consoles that are available for purchase in-person. Just note that not all locations are participation, and orders are limited to one per person. Details See at Staples Close UK Nintendo Switch 2 orders UK shoppers are in luck if they're hoping to grab the Switch 2 right now. A handful of online retailers -- including Amazon, Argos and Very -- currently have one or both versions of the console available for purchase online. However, we don't expect that to remain true for long, so we'd recommend getting your order in as fast as possible if you don't want to miss out. Note: We have no confirmation that the digital download code for Mario Kart World in the UK Switch 2 bundle will work with non-UK Nintendo accounts. The power cables are also different for each region. If you plan to buy a UK Switch 2 from outside the country, please know there's no guarantee it'll work as expected. Amazon UK Both the Switch 2 and the Mario Kart World bundle are in stock now at Amazon UK (at the time of publishing), but you'll have to be quick if you want to grab one before they're sold out. Details See at Amazon (console only) See at Amazon (MKW bundle) Close Nintendo UK Unlike the US and Canada, UK shoppers don't need an invitation to purchase the Switch 2 directly from Nintendo. You will, however, need a paid Nintendo Online Membership. Games and accessories are also available now. Details See at Nintendo Close Very The standalone console is currently in stock, but the Mario Kart World bundle has sold out. Details See at Very Close GAME Only the standalone console is currently available, but you'll also find plenty of games and accessories in stock. Details See at Game Close Now Playing: What Was It Like to Preorder a Switch 2? | Obvious Skill Issue Ep 3 02:32 When can I order the Nintendo Switch 2? The Switch 2 is officially available now, though you'll likely have a challenging time getting your hands on one. The vast majority of retailers are currently sold out online, and while there may be some stragglers available for purchase in-store it will ultimately depend on where you're located. We'll be keeping a close eye on stocks as they fluctuate in the coming days, so be sure to check this page often for the latest on availability. Read more: How Nintendo Is Combating Switch 2 Scalpers How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost? There was some concern that the new US tariffs were going to lead to some significant price hikes on the standalone console and the Mario Kart World bundle. Fortunately, Nintendo has confirmed that the original pricing still stands. The console is available for $450, with the Mario Kart World bundle priced at $500. However, there has been a change to the price of some accessories, with some increasing by $5. 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The confirmation that the US tariffs won't be leading to any further price increases has helped stifle gamers' exasperation a bit, but many are still unhappy with the fact that select games will be selling for up to $20 more than the standard $60. We're eager to see if most gamers consider the price hikes worth it now that they're finally getting their hands on the new console and games.
New York Times
6 hours ago
- New York Times
Lu Dort, Bennedict Mathurin and a Montreal brotherhood that brought both to NBA Finals
MONTREAL — If you can believe it, there will be more Montrealers in this year's NBA Finals than in this year's Stanley Cup Final. The connections between the two players run far deeper than just being from the same home city. Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers and Lu Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder grew up minutes from each other in the Montreal-North borough. They played at nearby courts — and eventually for the same basketball programs. Both men are from Haitian families. Both played in the same state during their college careers. Advertisement 'Benn is kind of a brother to me, honestly,' Dort said Sunday. 'I would call him a brother right now,' Mathurin said three days later. 'But (now) we're enemies.' They are competitive on the court and close friends off it. When Mathurin made history in 2022 by becoming Montreal's highest draft pick ever (No. 6), he celebrated with a handful of his closest family members and friends in New York. Dort, who by then had established himself in the NBA after going undrafted in 2019, was among them. 'It's almost like (Lu was) passing the baton,' Jenn Mathurin, Bennedict's sister, said in a phone interview. 'But not really because they're still playing and competing against each other at the same time.' Dort and Mathurin are among the four Canadians in this year's finals, a list that includes Thunder MVP guard and Hamilton, Ont., native Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard. But this meeting doubles as a seminal moment for the burgeoning Montreal hoops scene, which has experienced a revival in recent years. 'It will be huge for Montreal,' Dort said. 'Especially Montreal-North. We're the two NBA players that's from there. Most of the people back home cheer for either Indiana or OKC. It's big for the basketball world in Montreal, the people that will enjoy it will watch two kids from Montreal in the finals, which will be huge.' The connections don't stop at neighborhood familiarity. Their families know each other well; Dort knew Mathurin's older brother, Dominique, who was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his bicycle. Dort and Bennedict Mathurin played for the same local basketball programs, the Parc Ex Knights and Brookwood Elite, a Montreal-based AAU team. Their former coaches Nelson Ossé and Joey McKittrick have stories for days on when they knew they'd be NBA players. Advertisement 'He never won (any) accolades in our program,' Ossé said about Dort. 'Never won any trophy as our best player. And he was by far one of our best players. His demeanor was always making sure we win games.' Even as a youngster, Dort valued winning over individual performances. That didn't stop him from being a star when it mattered, like when he hit a buzzer-beater after grabbing a full-court pass while playing on Brookwood's U15 team. 'His shooting back then was less to be desired,' McKittrick said. 'But he made the shot.' Years later, Mathurin outdid his adopted older brother, nailing a game-winning shot of his own while getting the better of future NBA star Evan Mobley. 'He couldn't dunk the ball because he had two 7-footers collapsing the paint, so he was able to go up and under,' McKittrick said. 'He gets knocked to the floor and game over. We win.' And Mathurin's signature confidence was always on display. 'From being 11-12 years old,' Ossé said, 'you would see Benn trying to play against the older guys and act like he was as good and probably even better than them.' Dort checked on Mathurin's development at every turn. While Dort made a name for himself during the NBA's G League showcase, he regularly checked in with Mathurin as the eventual lottery pick tried to find his way at the Latin America NBA Academy in Mexico City. When Mathurin was invited to Canada Basketball's training camp ahead of last year's Olympics despite being injured, Dort, an established player on the team, congratulated him. 'Lu was still bouncing back and forth on a two-way (contract),' McKittrick said. 'So, he was still figuring out his path, and Benn was still in high school. That's how far back they were checking in on each other. Lu was going to check in on him, even though he wasn't established or hadn't broken his way into the NBA. Like a big brother would.' Advertisement Dort and Mathurin have played each other three times since Mathurin entered the league in 2022. Ossé, who made the trip to visit with both players before their first matchup in January 2023, remembered them going at each other in ping-pong the night before they dueled on the hardwood. 'They had a good time, just hanging out,' Ossé said. 'And the next day, they play.' Oklahoma City won that first edition of Dort versus Mathurin. Dort scored 22 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the win while Mathurin countered with 13 points and five rebounds. 'I remember a lot of competitiveness and a lot of s— talking,' Jenn Mathurin said. 'There's this thing about Montreal that we say. Montreal hoopers are like dogs. We just want it. We're hungry. In the very first game, you could see that. They were going at it, back and forth, at each other like in a rivalry.' As soon the game ended, the brotherly love returned. Dort and Mathurin swapped jerseys afterward to celebrate their first encounter in the NBA. A post shared by Game Point (@_gamepoint) Their upcoming NBA Finals matchup has brought the competitive streak out in both players. Despite their relationship, neither player has spoken to the other about their finals showdown. A grin flashed across Dort's face as he said 'no' after he was asked the question Monday afternoon. Dort then looked away, sighing as he repeated 'no.' It looked like Dort was playing coy, but Ossé believes him. 'They're competitors first,' Ossé said. 'They want to do well, obviously, you're at the finals. There's no higher ceiling right now. You owe that to your teammates. It's not the time to hang out with your friend, or trying to be friendly with someone who's trying to take something from you. So, I guess that's the mentality they both have.' Both men know they'll get the opportunity to laugh and reminisce over this matchup long after the playoffs have ended. Only then will they appreciate their postseason runs culminating with the first finals matchup featuring two Montreal-born NBAers. 'We're proud to be on that stage,' Dort said. 'But obviously, only one of us will get the job done. At the end of the day, Montreal is going to be happy.' Zach Harper walks through how the Thunder built the deepest roster in the NBA
