Rosa related how they would go to the Kruger Park for three-week periods, leaving the camps early in the morning, at gate-opening time, and returning as the gates were closing.
She explained how in this way, they didn’t miss out on a single minute looking for animals, in spite of the days being long, hot and tiring.
This meant two weeks of waking early, making sandwiches and filling flasks, and then riding around all day.
Exhausted, she told her husband one day that she wanted to lie-in and start game viewing slightly later in the morning.
“I told my husband to go and have a lovely morning drive,” she said.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Decision to go out on a game drive pays off
However, as she was saying good-bye to her husband, he asked whether she was sure she wanted to remain behind. “I told him I was certain,” said Rosa. “He said ‘Ok, better hope I don’t find a lion up a tree or something like that!”
At his words, Rosa felt something stir inside of her. At her husband’s mention of a lion, she determined: “Well I couldn’t risk that as I really hate missing out on stuff, so I jumped up, got ready in a hurry and we set off. You could have knocked me over with a feather as when we were about half an hour into the drive, on the S28 outside Lower Sabie camp, we came across something right at the very top of a tall, straight tree.”
Unusual sighting catches game viewers’ attention
Something was at the top of a tree and Rosa and her husband were not going to drive past before getting a closer look. They could hardly believe what their eyes saw. On closer inspection, this turned out to be a lioness!
Even more amazing was the surprise that awaited beneath the tree. This was seven male lions.
The lioness was in season and had climbed the tree in desperation to escape the male lions’ attention.
However, she had become uncomfortable in the tree and Rosa explained how, seeming to defy gravity, she had started to make her way, headfirst, down the trunk of the tree.
Rosa described the scintillating moment. “It was an unbelievable sight.”
Lioness leaps from tree of refuge
She eventually took a leap of faith, jumping from the treetop to the ground. “As soon as she hit the ground running, the males took chase again,” said Rosa. “We managed to photograph six of the seven males.”
The seventh male was too fast in chasing after the lioness to be caught on camera.
Rosa and her husband now have a joke which they share between them. She said that each time she now says to him that she will be staying in to relax while he goes on a game drive, he only has to say ‘lion up a tree’ and she snaps out of it and agrees to go.
The couple will never forget the hilarious and breathtaking sight of how a lioness climbed the tallest tree to escape the love interest of seven determined male lions.
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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