Seeing big cats hunt is the highlight of any safari, as lions, leopards and cheetahs often manage to steal the show. Their power, speed and stalking abilities are truly incredible, and seeing them in action never fails to be awe inspiring.
Sinead Pieterse caught this hunt on camera, as a cheetah crept closer to a tasty looking impala that it had in mind for its next meal. It might have had the cover of the long grass for assistance, but this approach was still tense and fraught with risk as the cheetah moved closer and closer.
Through The Long Grass
The cheetah might have been capable of some incredible speed, but there was no need to reveal its secret weapon too early in the hunt. Instead, it worked on sneaking up as close to the impala as it could get.
By putting itself in a more advantageous position it would have to expend considerably less energy on the hunt if it was successful, meaning it would benefit even more from the nutrition offered by its prey rather than needing it to replenish energy expended.
Getting there would take some skill and caution, but the cheetah was far enough away from the impala that it could move with near impunity. The closer it got, the more careful it would need to be as the slightest sound might give it away.
Under Constant Alert
For its part, the impala did seem to be aware of its surroundings. When those that don’t pay attention to the risks of sneaky predators live short lives by default, the remaining population learns that they are always at risk.
This impala had a good position on some raised land which gave it a clear view of the area, and in-between bouts of grazing it was taking the time to survey its surroundings to make sure there were no predators eyeing it up for a potential meal.
This made the cheetah’s job more difficult, but not impossible. All it needed to do was get close enough to pounce, and when it could reach its top speed in around three seconds, this distance wasn’t as small as it might have been for other big cats.
A Quick Risk Assessment
At times, it looked like the impala was looking directly at the cheetah, and as it was visible to the camera as a dark shape in the grass, it’s reasonable to think the impala could see it too.
Despite its stealth, it would appear that the cheetah was at risk of being spotted, so it was remaining very still while it watched the impala, waiting to see what its prey would do.
If it bolted, then the cheetah would have a chase on its paws, and it was still far enough away that a successful hunt wasn’t guaranteed. If the impala hadn’t seen the cheetah yet, then it might stay in place a little longer and allow the big cat to continue to slowly close the gap.
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Timing Is Everything
When the impala didn’t flee, the cheetah took the opportunity to continue stalking, preparing itself to break out its incredible acceleration and top speed to bag itself a good sized meal.
But a last second mistake landed the cheetah in uncertain waters, for although it was capable of amazing speeds, the impala was also able to break out velocity of its own, and the cheetah had misjudged the gap at the last moment.
It broke into a sprint but the impala had already disappeared into the trees around the edge of the clearing, and it appeared that the cheetah had already slowed to a jog before moving out of sight. Another hungry evening for the big cat.
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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