The male African elephant weighs up to 6,000 kilograms and stands about 10 feet tall at the shoulder. As you’d imagine, such a large frame requires a lot of food to fuel its massive body.
As such, much of an elephant’s waking hours are spent thinking about how and where it is going to find its next meal.
In this video, we see a young elephant bull going to disproportionate lengths for a mere morsel.
Elephant emerges
As the video begins, we see a young male elephant coming into view behind his herd mate.
We can tell that it is a male by its rounded forehead. The forehead of a female elephant is much more angular, by comparison.
Judging by the size of its tusks, we can tell that it is still relatively young. Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild.
Sniffing for food
As he comes fully into view, we note that the tip of his trunk is close to the ground. As you’d expect, with such a large nose, elephants have a very acute sense of smell.
Subsequently, it seems that his sharp sense of smell has detected something of interest. This, when the elephant suddenly turns towards the tree that he has just passed.
Standing at the base of the tree, the elephant sweeps its trunk back and forth, trying to find the source of the scent.
Sniff higher
However, when he can’t find any further clues, he decides to widen his search… upwards.
Then, as he puts his trunk and tusks to the trunk of the tree, it seems that he has found the source of the tantalising scent.
It is well known that elephants are prepared to go to great lengths to get to food that is out of reach. On occasion, they will push down an entire tree just to get to the tender leaves on top.
Meagre reward
But, in this case, he doesn’t go to such extremes. Instead, he uses his massive bulk and strength to shake the tree.
Consequently, leaves and pods flutter down from above, showering the bull. One has to wonder whether the effort was truly worth the meager reward.
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Another try
It seems that the elephant has the same thought, as he prepares to give the tree another good shake.
As it happens, the fruits of this effort are even more scant than his first attempt. On this occasion, only a handful of pods and leaves fall.
Mere morsel
Realising that he is not going to get much more joy out of this particular tree, the bull lowers his trunk to the ground, sniffing out a tasty treat.
A few moments later, he curls his trunk up towards his mouth. Although we can’t see what he managed to scrounge, we can be sure it is not going to make much of an impression on his huge appetite.
However, it will have to do. After all, every bit counts. We are sure he will continue to find ingenious ways to sate his hunger, even if he has to do it one leaf at a time.
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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