Spotting predators hunting is an incredible experience to have on safari, but sometimes it’s difficult to know who to root for. Predators need to eat to survive, but for this an unfortunate animal has to die.
This young giraffe found itself the unlucky target of a lion hunt when its parent left it alone, and it was heartbreaking to see its inexperienced uncertainty when faced with life threatening danger.
Spotted on a drive from the Tlou safari camp, this sighting had all the emotional turbulence of success and failure, as the lion displayed textbook hunting habits, and the giraffe tried its best to get out alive.
A Tense Standoff
Confronted with a lioness, the baby giraffe found itself with very limited options for survival. Adult giraffes might be able to outrun such predators if they had enough of a lead to escape the initial ambush, but a baby giraffe had much poorer odds.
The only reason it had any chance at all was because it had spotted the lion before the big cat had been able to spring its ambush. If the lion had gotten close enough without being seen then it would have been game over for the giraffe very quickly.
Instead, they were both standing completely still, each waiting for the other to make the first move. If the lion’s attention lapsed then the giraffe might have time to flee, but if the giraffe got distracted, the lion could attack before it had time to run.
The Opportune Moment
Whether fear, uncertainty, or just plain inexperience had paralyzed the giraffe, it stood without moving as the lion lowered its head and advanced slowly into the long grass.
Each step closer that it took reduced the giraffe’s possibility of survival. If it got too close, then the lion would be able to attack, leaping so quickly that the giraffe wouldn’t have time to try and escape.
Lions like going for the necks of their prey, and unfortunately for this giraffe, it had a lot of neck. An adult giraffe has the strength to withstand a lion attack, and sometimes even fight back and kill the predator, but this baby was alone without a parent in sight.
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Too Little Too Late
The young giraffe clearly understood that it was in a precarious position, but without the experience of an adult to rely on, it left it too late to try and escape, allowing the lion to get far too close.
As the big cat crept through the long grass the giraffe finally turned its back and began walking away in an attempt to maintain the distance between them, but already that distance was small enough that the lion felt confident it could bring the giraffe down.
Accelerating rapidly, the lion burst out of the long grass as the giraffe finally tried to start running, but it had left it too late, and as the pair disappeared into the bush at the side of the road the lion was quickly closing the short gap between them.
The giraffe’s short time on the planet ended with a sad reminder at how dangerous life can be for these animals, but now that the lion has secured itself a meal, its own survival is doing very well.
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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