Anchia Harmse witnessed this close-ish encounter and sent her video to Latest Sightings. She filmed it between Transport Dam and Skukuza in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Sightings report
Anchia told Latest Sightings that after viewing a leopard, she made her way back to camp. En route, she was excited to find a pack of African wild dogs trotting down the H3 ahead of her.
Anchia stopped her car and started filming after noticing the dogs’ attention was focused to the right of the road.
As seen above, the pack is spread out. As will be revealed, they have set an ambush for an as-yet-unseen prey.
Red rover for wildlife
However, they are thinly and unevenly spread. As such, when an impala explodes from the roadside vegetation, it easily earns its team a point in a game of red rover (wildlife edition).
Still, the dogs keep their cool and wait for the next impala to try its luck.
Two-nil
No sooner has the first safely made it across the road, then a second springs from the bush, also managing to easily elude the waiting pack.
At two-nil, things are not looking good for the dogs. If they lose this game, they’ll go to bed hungry.
So far, the two dogs furthest from the camera have failed in their mission, and could use some help from their pack mates.
Resetting the lines
Seeing the obvious gap in their defences, some members of the pack make there way towards their troubled defenders, hoping to shore up their defensive line.
However, it seems that it is too little, too late. For the next animal to emerge from the vegetation is one of their own kind.
This dog had been driving the impala towards the waiting pack. But, were there any more to come? The pack settles in to wait.
Moved too soon
What happens next does nothing to improve the dogs’ reputation as efficient predators. For, no sooner have they repositioned themselves, then a third impala bursts across the road.
Impalas: 3 – Wild dogs: 0. By now, some of the dogs are starting to look to one another for answers, while others seem resolute that their efforts will soon pay dividends.
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Plan B
Winners know that when your plan is failing, it is time for a new plan. As the dogs closest to the camera cock their ears and look in one direction, they decide to reposition themselves again.
Seconds later, it seems they may be onto something, as one of the dogs turns as if to intercept an oncoming impala.
Meanwhile, a previously unseen dog is closing in from just in front of Anchia’s vehicle. Will this pincer movement bring them back into the game?
Long leap to freedom
As the impala comes into view, the two dogs close in. But, will they be quick enough to cut short the impala’s long leap to freedom?
Fast and agile, impala incorporate long leaps into their sprints, making it harder for predators to keep up. And, it is exactly this tactic that sees the impala past its opponents with ease.
With the antelopes now leading by four points, they are comfortable winners.
To make matters worse, Anchia said that shortly after filming, a herd of zebras trotted past the dogs. It seems the dogs had given up for the day, as none of them so much as looked at them. That night, they would surely sleep with their tails between their legs.
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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