Excellent Nicolas Hlatshwayo submitted this brief video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while driving along the S29, in the southeastern Kruger National Park, South Africa.
A rare find
As Excellent’s video begins, a rare sighting greets us. He has found a sable antelope, one of the least frequently seen ungulates in the park.
Typically, visitors see sables in the park’s southwestern reaches, which makes this sighting even more special. Only about 400 of these stunning antelopes live in the park.
Spooked
Suddenly, and for no immediately obvious reason, the sable starts moving rapidly away. But what could have caused this typically bold animal to rush off?
Sables have been known to fend off attacks from lions, leopards, and hyenas. So we have to ask, what could have given it such a fright?
Culprits identity revealed
As Excellent’s camera pans to the left, our culprit is revealed. A large male elephant is making his way up the riverbed to where the sable once stood.
While we didn’t see his behaviour when the sable fled, he may well have given a warning signal that he expected right of way. Elephants will often flare their ears or raise their trunks to warn others off, rather than attack outright.
But why?
Soon enough, the reason for his ‘bullying’ behaviour becomes apparent when he walks up to a shallow depression in the riverbed. In times of drought, animals will dig for water in riverbeds.
Therefore, we can assume that the sable had been looking for water itself before the arrival of the larger animal. Therefore, with water being at a premium, the elephant used his size to take the prime position.
Comfort distance
We also note that the sable didn’t go far. Instead, he created sufficient space between them for him to feel safe once more.
Animals, like humans, often use these ‘comfort zones’, thus avoiding a full-on fight-or-flight response.
Moving on
Subsequently, when the elephant finds there is no water to be had, he decides to move along. As he does so, he again encroaches on the antelope’s comfort zone.
In response, the sable tries to re-establish the boundary by heading up the granite slope and away from the bull.
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Slippery underfoot
However, as he does so, his hard, sharp-edged hooves slip on the smooth rock. Consequently, he briefly clatters to his knees, unable to get traction.
Thankfully for him, it turned out to be a case of much ado about nothing. As the elephant passes, he makes no threatening gestures, as he is no longer competing for a resource.
Still, the antelope errs on the side of caution as the visibly relaxed bull passes. The last thing he wants to do is have another embarrassing slip that might disturb the peace.
On safe ground
As the video nears its conclusion, we see the antelope standing back on safer ground. Not only is he unlikely to slip, but he seems comfortable with the elephant’s presence.
So much so that at the end of the video, both animals are seen walking off in the same general direction. Presumably hoping to find water. Again, no prizes for guessing who will get to drink first.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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