A baby elephant must learn to control its trunk. This is an incredibly complex tool which contains over 40 000 muscles and no bones. This young elephant was clearly a novice at operating his trunk, however, this didn’t stop him from putting on his best show.
He was determined to get it right, however, the trunk didn’t seem to want to cooperate!
The theatrics necessary for learning an essential skill
With mom close by, he his best to get control of his prize appendage. He flicked it up and down, and battled to straighten it out. He was a living testament that using a trunk isn’t as easy as it looks!
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Calves often look clumsy using their trunks for the very reason that they are still learning to use them.
They will often practice by waving, dragging and even tripping over their own trunks as they explore the world around them. These playful movements help strengthen muscles and improve coordination. They’re also a sign of a relaxed, curious calf that feels safe under the watchful eye of its mother and the herd.
Practice makes perfect
The baby elephant continued in his efforts to gain control over his trunk. At one point, the trunk swung to the side with great vigour. In another amusing moment, it appeared to be close to slapping his face.
As serious as he was about mastering the use of his trunk, his antics remained playful in nature. He was still essentially a baby so he could be excused for his clumsy, awkward movements.
He walked across the road with the zeal typical of younger animals, all the while swinging his trunk and hoping for the best.
The long learning process essential for trunk mastery
Calves often try to drink through their trunks long before they are ready, sometimes ending up coughing or spraying water everywhere, which is a normal part of learning.
Trunk practice is also important for social bonding. Calves use their trunks to touch, reassure, and play with other herd members, learning gentle control as well as strength.
This little one’s mother stayed close by while the learning process was underway. Mothers and older female elephants are patient teachers, allowing calves to experiment. They sometimes even guide their trunks toward food or water to help them out!
The good news is that these small elephants do eventually get it right. As calves grow, their trunk skills become more precise.
Calf disappears with Mom after entertaining motorists
What starts as clumsy swinging slowly turns into the ability to pluck single blades of grass. This little one will one day be able to use his trunk to dust himself for skin care, and to suck up several litres of water at once. For now, he is learning to master the trunk that he will rely on for the rest of his life.
After entertaining motorists for a short while, he soon ran off to join mom, and they disappeared into the thicket off the side of the road.
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.
View this post on Instagram
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!
Be the first to comment on this article!