Armand related how the couple had come across the pack, consisting of around 12 members, as they drove towards the Matjulu waterhole.
Pack of wild dogs catches couple’s attention
“As my wife and I were driving, we first saw the iconic white tails waving through the bushes quite far away,” he recalled.
He said that they noticed that the wild dogs, around 80m away from where they were parked, were feasting on an impala kill.
With the carcass already completely devoured, a few started to walk around in the immediate area.
“We parked to see what would play out next,” he said.
The wild dogs explored the region, communicating among themselves. This was when Armand and his wife became aware of three zebras in the immediate vicinity.
“Three zebras then approached the waterhole, which was mostly muddy but still had some water in it,” said Armand.
He said the zebras spotted the pack of wild dogs and vice versa.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Wild dogs and zebras stare at one another in tentative moment
The tension in the air was palpable as the zebras stared at the wild dogs, and the dogs stood to attention and stared back. It appeared both species were preparing for a showdown.
“The zebras stood still, keeping watch. Then the wild dogs slowly made their way towards the zebras and that’s when I started to record on my phone to catch the action.”
These zebras weren’t about to be intimidated by the wild dogs and even started to chase them.
There was a high-speed chase between one of the zebras and a wild dog, only this time it was the prey chasing the hunter!
“It was a back and forth ‘play’ almost, and so cool to see the wild dogs get chased by the zebras and a few moments later the zebras chased by the wild dogs,” Armand related.
“This went on for about 12 minutes back and forth.”
Pack members remain active and on high alert
After the zebras had chased the wild dogs, the pack members regrouped. They remained on high alert, surrounding the zebras as though planning an attack.
Although, as Armand explained, this was more ‘play’ than anything else. The wild dogs possibly realised that the trio of zebras wasn’t about to take any nonesense!
“I just thought it was such an interesting sighting too see them (wild dogs) trying their luck on much bigger pray,” said Armand, remembering the moment.
Wild dogs specialise in hunting medium-sized antelope. Zebras are not easy prey. This is for various reasons. They can bite and trample predators during a defense. They can also deliver powerful kicks which can seriously injure or kill a wild dog.
For this reason, wild dogs will usually only go for a zebra if it is a zebra foal, or if the animal is weakened, injured or isolated.
This trio presented too much of a challenge for the wild dogs to launch a serious hunt. Nevertheless, as Armand explained, it was amusing to watch each species have a go at the other. It’s moments like these which strengthen the pack for the real hunt.
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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