We all remember that exciting moment of getting a fresh yearbook at the end of a long school year. But for high school senior Diana Bloom, that ritual was made all the more heartwarming, thanks to the inclusion of one particularly cute classmate, Alpha Schalk.
As you can see, Alpha is an adorable black lab. And as I’m sure you’ve figured already, he’s a very good boy.
Bloom explained her surprise at seeing Alpha’s photo, telling BuzzFeed News, “Seeing a picture of a dog caught my eye pretty quickly. I thought it was so cute, and I knew that some of my underclassmen friends hadn't seen it yet because they didn't have their yearbooks, so I took a picture and tweeted it.” That tweet has since racked up more than 2,500 retweets and nearly 8,000 likes.
The good boy in question belongs to A.J. Schalk, a 16-year-old student at Stafford Senior High School in Virginia. Alpha, listed next to A.J. as Alpha Schalk in the yearbook, is a dutiful service dog and helps A.J. monitor his blood sugar levels, which fluctuate as a result of Type 1 diabetes. When A.J.’s blood sugar gets too high or too low, Alpha lets him know. The human Schalk told BuzzFeed, “The amazing thing about Alpha is that he knows 20 to 40 minutes before my blood sugar actually does go low or high due to his amazing sense of smell.”
But Alpha provides much more than just life-saving cues. As Schalk tells GOOD, “It is really awesome bringing Alpha to school everyday [because] he brightens up the school environment and makes everyone around me and Alpha so much happier. It’s great having a dog in school.”
Alpha is such a dedicated partner he even has his own student ID with an equally adorable photo. I mean, that face …
After graduating high school, Schalk and his furry companion look forward to brightening everyone’s day in college. “Wherever I plan on going to college, Alpha will accompany me,” says Schalk.
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
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Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.