Deon Strydom submitted this rewarding video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive in South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park.
When pregnant lionesses are ready to give birth, they leave their prides and find a secluded spot to do so. Then, for the next few weeks, she will keep them hidden for their safety.
However, to eat, they have to leave their precious offspring while they go hunting. As we see in this video, finding them when she returns is not always straightforward.
A mother returns
While we don’t know how long the lioness had been away, we join the action as the mother lion walks through the long grass.
Sensing that she is nearing the hiding place where she left her cubs, she starts emitting a soft, moaning vocalisation. This sound is a contact call, which the lioness uses to summon her cubs when visibility is low.
Stop and listen
As she proceeds, she stops at intervals, hoping to hear a response from her little ones.
When she doesn’t get a reply, she continues her search. As you can imagine, it’s an especially vulnerable moment for the cubs, who face the very real risk of being discovered by other predators.
Eventually, she gets a reply from her constant calling and stops. However, in the long grass, she initially struggles to pinpoint the direction their mewling call is coming from.
By now, the quickening pace of their own cries makes it clear that they’re growing increasingly anxious to be reunited. And probably looking forward to a good meal of nutritious milk.
Out in the open
Despite hearing one another, the mother and her cubs have yet to see one another. However, when the lioness comes out onto the road, their chances of seeing one another improve significantly.
The lioness stops, alternately calling and listening as her increasingly frantic cubs navigate their way through the long grass towards her.
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Reunited at last
Eventually, their persistence, along with Deon and his companions’, pays off when one of the cubs steps out from the roadside vegetation.
Finally rewarded with the sight of their mum, the cubs seem to berate her for leaving them. Either that, or they’re squealing to be fed.
But it seems the lioness has other things on her mind. No sooner have her cubs laid eyes on her than she does a about-turn. Breakfast will have to wait.
To keep her cubs safe, lionesses will frequently move them in an effort to avoid discovery. In Pilanesberg National Park, only one in eight cubs survives their first two years.
Safe with mum
We are rewarded with a lovely sight of the family reunited, as they move off. No doubt she will take them to a shady spot where she can rest while they suckle.
The cubs seem to be approaching the age at which they will be introduced to the rest of the pride. This typically happens when they are between six and eight weeks old.
Once this happens, they learn to socialise with their kin, one of the most important phases in their early development. We’re sure you’ll join us in wishing them well on the journey ahead.
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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