Watch the video here:
Danie Bronkhorst sent this funny footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while visiting Rockfig Safari Lodge in South Africa’s Timbavati Nature Reserve.
Drinks interrupted
We are met with an unusual sight as Danie’s video begins. A lioness has interrupted their drinks break.
While we can’t be sure what happened before, it’s safe to assume that Danie and his companions had been about to enjoy sundowners when the lioness arrived.
Sensibly, they sought safety on the game drive vehicle while waiting to see what the lion would do. For her part, the lioness appeared more interested in the cooler box than the people it belonged to.
However, when she was surprised by the sounds that came out of it, she opted to explore further.
Fancy a drink?
Next to catch her attention was the drinks table set up nearby. While she was cautiously sniffing the snacks on offer, a young male joined her.
Subsequently, when the lioness found nothing to her taste, her attention turned to the tablecloth. As for the male, he didn’t seem interested at all and lay down nearby.
As the cloth swayed in the gentle breeze, the big cat initially struggled to get a grip on it. However, when she did, she gave it a good pull.
Spooked!
As she did, the objects on the table shook violently, making a noise that startled both her and the young males nearby.
Coolerbox it is
Having lost her nerve exploring the drinks table, the lioness turned her attention back to the coolerbox. By this time, more members of her pride had arrived.
As you can imagine, Danie and co stayed firmly seated while watching the amusing spectacle unfold. Once again, the lioness pawed at the strange object, this time with more curious onlookers.
And once again, she was startled away when its contents rattled.
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Leave it to me
At this point, the young male who’d previously been disinterested decided it was time to intervene. Rising from his position behind the lioness, he pushed his way to the front of the group.
Male lions are often called upon to deal with larger prey. So too it seems do they take it upon themselves to deal with unknown objects.
Nonetheless, he was not about to rush in recklessly. Instead, he, too, cautiously sniffed at the cooler bag. We can only imagine there may have been biltong (dried meat) snacks inside to warrant this level of interest.
Snatch-job
Then, having decided it posed no threat, he sank his teeth into the soft bag.
Unsurprisingly, the bag offered no resistance to his mighty jaws. In a flash, he had it in his mouth…
With that, he picked it up and ran off with it. Once again, the rattling contents sent some of the pride running in all directions.
However, the male was brave, and he had his prize. Right from under the noses of the watching humans. Not that they were about to intervene.
Consequently, the young male ran off to investigate his prize. At this point, his pride mates gathered to see what he’d “caught”.
Unfortunately, we don’t get to find out what happened next. But if you see a pride of lions carrying a cooler bag, please let us know.
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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