Competition in the Kruger can be a fierce affair, as many of these animals have territories, food, and other requirements which overlap. If one animal benefits from a resource such as prey, then that’s one less animal for their competitors to potentially hunt and eat.
Kerry caught this moment on camera where a pride of lions showed an unlucky hyena exactly what they thought of having to put up with this kind of competition, and it was not a pretty sight.
In A Very Bad Situation
By the time Kerry started recording the hyena was already down. The lionesses had bloody faces and they’d already wounded their enemy quite badly.
Several lionesses surrounded it, and one was holding it down on the ground with its jaw. This was not a good place for the unfortunate hyena to be, and it meant its time with the living was measured only in minutes.
A single adult lion would give a group of hyenas pause when it comes to a fight, but this one had the numbers severely against it, as it appeared to be completely alone.
Far From Friends
These two animals are intense enemies, unlikely to get along with each other even at the best of times. Lions often find the presence of hyenas to be intolerable, while hyenas know that a hunting lion is an opportunity for them to steal a meal.
Hyenas will also prey on lion cubs, when they’re particularly young, and if they’re not stealing food from the big cats then it’s because they’re hunting that same food themselves.
As such, hyenas are a direct threat to a lion’s existence whether they’re alone or in numbers, preying on the young, and causing the adults to have less opportunities to find food. This makes fighting and killing each other a necessity.
A Daring Escape
It looked like multiple lions were trying to dig their teeth and claws into this hyena as they started pulling it apart, but this confusion gave their target a perfect opportunity to make a sudden escape.
As the hyena began galloping away, it took the lionesses a moment or two before they actually realized that it was trying to escape and for them to start running after it.
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At Least One More Day
That momentary hesitation allowed the hyena to get a good headstart in the ensuing chase. Despite its wounds, it had a sudden burst of speed, no doubt fueled by pure adrenaline as it sprinted away from the lions.
For their part, the lions gave up the chase rather quickly, after a half-hearted attempt to follow the hyena for only a few meters. Perhaps they reasoned that putting the fear of God into it was just as good as killing it.
The hyena managed to escape, but it looked like it had been seriously wounded, so its survival was uncertain. If its wounds didn’t kill it then it would live to see another day, but it would probably seriously reconsider entering that pride’s territory again.
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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