Life is full of ‘firsts’. The same is true for animals. While humans take a couple of months to begin to take their first steps, little elephants are early bloomers, standing up and even walking on their very first day!
Elephants, like many large mammals, are precocial. This means that they are born relatively developed compared to species like humans.
A newborn calf usually tries to stand within the first 30 minutes to 2 hours after birth.
A front row seat to witness an extraordinary ‘first’
JP’s beautiful clipping gives viewers the chance to watch the memorable moments of a baby elephant’s first steps from up close.
What is strikingly evident is the mother elephant’s support, as her calf staggers forward, wobbly and unsure.
The mother keeps a close eye on the tiny elephant, and has her trunk ready to assist it if needs be.
Baby elephants are born weighing around 100kg and standing nearly a metre tall. They are surprisingly strong at birth but still unsteady on their legs.
Within minutes to hours after birth, they will instinctively try to rise, wobbling as they push their bulky body upright with oversized feet which seem too big for their frame.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
At first, each attempt looks clumsy. Knees will buckle and legs will spread awkwardly. Many times the calf will tumble back into the safety of the dust or grass. However, they eventually get it right.
As with all little ones, walking is initially clumsy and awkward, but when the baby gets it right, there’s no stopping them!
In this sighting, it was the mother’s encouragement which spurred the little one on to keep trying in spite of setbacks. Here, the calf was guided by determination and the gentle nudges of its mother.
It kept getting back up and its shaky movements became more and more coordinated.
It eventually managed short, uncertain steps, trunk swinging with imbalance, before finally finding a rhythm.
Mother and calf begin their first journey together
The mother and her calf walked through the long grass, staying close to each other. Even at this young age the calf had formed a strong bond with its Mom which was evident to spectators.
They eventually came to the road, but continued to walk. The tiny elephant showed signs of struggling. At one point, its legs buckled to a kneel, however, the mother was soon standing over it and lifting it up by its belly using her trunk.
An essential skill for survival
These first steps of an elephant are vital.
In the wild, mobility ensures safety. Being able to walk also allows the newborn to stay close to its protective herd and begin learning the skills it will need for survival.
By the end of the first day of their lives, most calves can walk well enough to keep up with the herd, although they may still trip over their own feet! They might even trip over their own trunks. Trunk training is a whole other lesson they will have to learn.
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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