SALT LAKE CITY — It’s Monday again.

Mondays come every week, but they still don’t seem to get any easier.

If the new workweek has you feeling a bit down, we have a boost for you. The KSL.com “Make Your Week” column features uplifting stories sent in from people outside the newsroom.

To send in the stories that have made your day better, email them in 100 words or fewer to mdalrymple@ksl.com. Photos and videos are encouraged.

Strangers pay expensive vet bill

Christine J.

“My dear sweet dog, Enyah, was hit by a truck in Millcreek Canyon last night. She is going to be all right. But (she) has suffered a really bad double fracture broken her femur, and a head injury, and is undergoing a plates and screws surgery this morning to put her leg and hip back together.

“But the most incredible thing about this story is that I receive more blessings than opposition. A true good Samaritan had never met me before and had only chatted with me a little while as they served me and my daughter by carrying her down the trail after dark.

“They offered to drive me, (but I drove and) rushed down the canyon seeking the nearest 24-hour animal hospital. (I got my dog) settled, after X-ray and tests then made comfortable pre-op. A woman ... came in with a kid’s meal from Wendy's with love and hugs for us and gave us words of encouragement and then left. I was blown away that they were so kind to a stranger!

“The bill had already come to $700. A nurse came in and interrupted, saying the couple that had come with the food had paid for the initial bill in full and I just needed to pay for the surgery via finance. ...

“The next day as I went over the finances, … I get a phone call from the vet saying that, not only did that couple pay for the initial $700, but they went ahead and pre-paid the $4,000 surgery! I don't even know what to do or say, but how wonderful people can be.”

Officer gives out nice tickets

Lindsey R.

“This week a South Jordan police officer came through the neighborhood giving out tickets to anyone outside. We caught it all on video. We were leaving a family party and saw the officer approach us saying he was giving out tickets. We had several cars parked on the road and thought maybe we had done something wrong. When he handed the ticket to us and we read it, we broke into laughter and cheers. (It was a ticket for a free small Slurpee.)

“It was such a kind gesture he was doing and he made an effort to hand one to every person he saw on the street. It was such a hot day, and he had a smile and was so friendly. It really made our day! This police officer made our day a little better when he gave us a ticket.”

Neighbors helping each other in time of need

Chris J.

“I live in a smaller neighborhood in northern Utah and the area is predominantly LDS. One of the few non-LDS couples in the area is my next door neighbor. ... Around June of 2015, this young couple found out that after a lot of trying they were finally pregnant with twins. This must have been extremely exciting for them and such a great thing to look forward to.

“About three months into this pregnancy with their first kids, the husband started to have some medical concerns. After extensive tests and seeing multiple doctors, they found an inoperable brain tumor that was very aggressive. The husband only had a short time to live and they were worried that he might not even make it to meet his twin daughters.

“At this time the neighborhood stepped up. … When asked what they needed help with, one of the items was figuring out how to get the husband to his daily radiation treatments and back home. The drive is about one hour each way and you also needed to wait there for his treatments to finish. The LDS ward announced the need and sent out a signup sheet for people to sign up and it filled up so fast that they had to turn some people away or ask some to only drive one day instead of two. People took time off of work just to give this neighbor a ride.

“Another need for the family was food, so once again the neighborhood sent out a signup sheet and in no time it was full providing two dinners a week until they didn’t need it anymore. These meals lasted for months and many weeks she had extras just because people wanted to help in any way. The acts of kindness have not stopped since the passing of this wonderful man — the young men in the neighborhood have set up a weekly signup sheet to keep the lawn mowed and trimmed as well as help with any yard work that is needed and they are now in the second summer of doing this.

“I want to give a shout out to the kindness and selflessness of all those around me. Witnessing these people and the way they were able to give so freely and kindly to this young family in need has forever touched my heart and impacted me.”

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