Baby animals are always fascinating to watch, and usually amusing too. Lion cubs probably moreso than most, as a result of their playful nature and penchant for mischief.
It doesn’t matter where they are or what’s going on around them, they’re usually trying to start or continue some kind of game, or otherwise make a nuisance of themselves.
Michael Botes spotted these cubs in the MalaMala Game Reserve, and caught all of their antics on camera before sending it in to Latest Sightings.
The footage shows how much these little big cats enjoy themselves even when they’re not doing anything. Relatively small, and entirely carefree, these lion cubs spent their time climbing, and then falling off, rocks.
Intrepid Explorers
They didn’t appear to be under any kind of adult supervision, which meant that it’s likely their mom had stashed them in a safe area so that they wouldn’t get in the way of her hunting efforts.
This is typical behavior for both predator and prey animals, but for prey animals it’s usually far more important for them to stay motionless, and hidden.
These lion cubs would also be vulnerable to any potential predators until their mom came back, but that didn’t stop them from enjoying their free time without the watchful eyes of parents.
Instead of hiding and worrying about the future, they climbed out of a patch of vegetation onto some large looking rocks, and began playing their typical games. One lion that made it up onto the rock first looked very satisfied with itself as it looked out on the others.
Nowhere To Be And Nothing to Do
Without any lionesses from the pride to keep the lion cubs in check, their games began to grow increasingly chaotic. They didn’t have any responsibilities in the moment, and that meant they weren’t really sure what to do with themselves other than take the game further.
Some of them lounged around enjoying the sun, some enjoyed themselves by wrestling, and some continued exploring the immediate area, without fear or concern for themselves.
Many of them climbed on and around the rocks, because as cubs, these lions are the best at climbing that they’ll ever be. Adults are still capable climbers, and will often reach into the lower branches of trees to steal kills from leopards.
As they grow older, however, they begin to lose much of the nimbleness and flexibility of their youth, and climbing becomes harder for them than it does for other animals.
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Strange Place For A Bath
One of the lion cubs that had climbed to the top of the rock had decided that it wanted to stay there, and what’s more, it felt that this was the perfect place to give itself a bath.
It was in the middle of twisting this way and that to make sure it was clean when instead, it just fell off the rock. It’s a hard life being an unsupervised lion cub, but although it decided it was done with the bath, it did climb back into place and lie down.
It’s unknown how long the cubs were there before their mother returned. The time of a lion hunt varies wildly depending on what they’re hunting, and whether or not their first attempts are successful.
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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