It doesn’t matter which species of mammals are out in the wild, it’s almost a guarantee that the kids are going to get up to some kind of mischief while the adults enjoy their time to relax.
In this case, it was the pups of a wild dog pack which had found a bird with which they could play a game. Nic Nel, a professional ranger at the MalaMala Private Game Reserve, caught the entire development on camera.
Nic and the group had been tracking a pack of wild dogs during a hot day, and followed them as they went looking for a nice spot to drink and cool down, not knowing the mischief the pups would get up to.
An Adorable Pack Of Pups
Both water and shelter are important things to have in the wild, especially on hot days. This travelling pack had several adults and pups together, with the little dogs being undeniably cute.
On their quest for a rest, the pack came across water, although it would be difficult to classify this water as anything other than a large muddy puddle, and unbeknownst to them it was also already taken.
A hamerkop bird was nearby, likely on the lookout for frogs in the wet mud, but the dogs spared it no more than a glance before heading towards the muddy puddle, as it would do for their needs despite its small size.
Is It Time For A Game?
The adults in the pack had no interest in the bird. They drank their fill, and then relaxed in some nearby shade where they would still be able to keep a careful eye on the playful pups.
One of those pups took more interest in the hamerkop, and took the liberty of leading its young packmates in a closer investigation of the bird that had been there before them.
The hamerkop was fast enough that it would be able to keep itself out of danger if it was clever, but that didn’t stop the curious wild dog pups from giving chase to it as it flew to the other side of the puddle to avoid them.
The Chase Is On
While the wild dogs might have been enjoying the game, it was in the hamerkop’s best interest to stay resolutely out of their reach. The bird was apparently unwilling to abandon the area completely, however, and didn’t stray far from the puddle.
The wild dog pups had interrupted it at its puddle, so now the hamerkop apparently decided that it might as well agitate the pups instead of just leaving the puddle to them.
Whenever the canines got too close the bird would ruffle up its wings and be gone before they could reach it, but it never went far and would land just out of reach the other side of the puddle while the pups hurried to keep up.
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Round And Round They Go
The bird kept going around the puddle every time the pups followed it, until they were running in circles around the little patch of water they’d found. The hamerkop might have been enjoying the game itself, and it didn’t look like it would stop anytime soon.
Running in so many circles must have made the wild dog pups dizzy, but at least once they gave up chasing the elusive bird they would be able to go and relax in the shade with the adults.
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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