Cubs on a Curious Quest
This heart-melting sighing was captured by wildlife photographer Frank de Beer, and takes us straight into the early days of two hyena cubs’ lives. Nestled in the grass alongside their mother, the cubs are still wobbling through their first steps.
With unsteady legs and eyes wide with wonder, the duo investigates the world around them, one paw at a time. Meanwhile, their mother enjoys a well-earned moment of rest as she keeps a close eye on her young ones.
The cubs tumble, wrestle, and begin to explore their grassy environment. Every sniff, bite, and wobble is part of their early learning, and it’s all irresistibly adorable.
A Chew Toy Discovery
Amid their exploration, one cub comes across the ultimate treasure: a piece of wood. To an adult, it’s nothing, but to a curious cub, it’s the perfect chew toy.
Gently nibbling at the bark, the cub tests its new find with puppy-like determination. Chewing is an essential developmental stage for many mammals, helping to strengthen jaws, relieve teething discomfort, and hone motor skills.
Whether they’re learning what’s edible or just satisfying a curious urge, this simple piece of wood becomes a prized possession in the cub’s playful world.
Mimicry and Grooming
One of the most delightful moments of the sighting is watching the cubs copy their mother’s behaviour. As she grooms herself with calm efficiency, one cub imitates her movements, awkwardly licking its leg.
This mimicry is an important step in social learning, where young animals observe and replicate adult behaviours. Throughout the video, the mother lovingly grooms both cubs, licking their fur clean and reinforcing the strong bond that will guide them through their early development.
These tender moments reveal the gentle side of one of Africa’s most misunderstood carnivores.
Sibling Roughhousing Begins Early
The cubs also can’t resist playing and wrestling with each other. Between chewing on sticks and tumbling through the grass, they pounce and nip at each other with uncoordinated glee.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
These playful skirmishes aren’t just for fun, they serve as early practice for the agility, strength, and social hierarchy cues they’ll need later in life. Wrestling also helps to solidify the bond between the siblings.
Hyena cubs often engage in these mock battles, which are critical for developing survival skills in a highly competitive clan structure.
The Other Side of Hyena Life
Though hyenas are often seen as fierce scavengers and cunning carnivores, this heartwarming encounter shows another side to their lives that includes tender moments of growth, bonding, and discovery. These curious cubs remind us that all animals, no matter their future role in the food chain, begin with a playful spirit and an eagerness to explore the world around them.
Frank was incredibly fortunate to have captured such a tender moment up close and personal. In every chew, tumble, and mimicry, we can witness the building blocks of a wild life just beginning.
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.
View this post on Instagram
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!
Be the first to comment on this article!