Daryl Bell submitted this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it at andBeyond Phinda, in South Africa.
On the lookout
As Daryl’s video starts, we see two species coming face-to-face in the bush. Keeping a lookout from a small termite mound, a young female cheetah watches as a white rhino mother and calf approach.
As the rhinos get closer, the short-sighted calf sees the spotted cat. Curious, it turns its ears towards the cheetah while trying to catch its scent.
In itself, the sighting is remarkable, as both white rhinos and cheetahs are scarce; rhinos are classified as Near Threatened, while cheetahs are Vulnerable.
Curiosity & concern
As the rhino mother continues to graze, her calf continues to keep an eye on the strange creature before it. As for the cheetah, it, in turn, is keeping a close watch on the approaching giants.
Both are relatively timid creatures. For rhinos, their poor eyesight is a contributing factor, while for cheetahs, their slight frames mean they must tread carefully to avoid injury.
Consequently, when the rhinos suddenly move closer, the cheetah quickly gives way. As the cat turns, we also note that the mother rhino remains completely unfazed by the presence of the predator. It is safe to assume that the chances of the cheetah attacking are incredibly remote.
Stay out of my comfort zone
Subsequently, the cheetah turns to face the mother and calf, instead of fleeing outright. What we’ve witnessed here is an animal maintaining a comfort zone.
Comfort zones are imaginary rings around individual animals that they use to feel safe. Should another animal encroach within this zone, the animal will move to re-establish the perimeter.
This allows them to keep an eye on the other while conserving energy. It is a precursor strategy to the fight-or-flight instinct, both of which have high energy demands.
Change of strategy
As the rhinos continue on their path, the cat keeps a close eye on them. However, as they get closer, the cheetah modifies its strategy by moving perpendicular to their path.
By doing so, she can determine whether they are ‘chasing’ her, or simply passing by. Nevertheless, skittish as she is, she seems to be bothered by the calf’s constant attention on her.
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Escalation
As a result, the cat escalates her message to the rhinos by hissing and snarling at them. At one point, she even slaps her forepaws against the ground, warning them not to come closer.
However, this has little impact on the decidedly docile rhinos, while the cheetah doesn’t realise that the calf is just being curious.
Fine, I’ll go
Having failed to warn off the larger rhinos and unwilling to escalate her threats to a full-blown attack, the cheetah soon realises she is better off retreating entirely.
As she does, she flicks her tail upward. Although we can’t see, it is possible that as she did so, she sprayed urine.
If so, it is almost as if she is signalling that although she is retreating, she considers this her territory too.
As Daryl’s video reaches its conclusion, the cheetah is seen moving off, this time watched by both the mother and her calf.
This video is a great example of animals using body language to avoid conflict and establish boundaries. For humans, understanding these behaviours is a great way to elevate one’s understanding and appreciation of wildlife.
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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