After walking beneath the bright and hot sun, the chance to cool off in a large body of water is one which many animals would leap at. Even better if the area is clear of any predators, and the animals can completely relax.
For this large herd of elephants, coming across such a large amount of water was the perfect opportunity for them to refresh themselves, but also enjoy the fun of playing.
They had some very young calves with them that would ordinarily be vulnerable, but with the entire herd together, even these baby elephants were able to enjoy the fun of the water.
Everybody Loves A Pool Day
Several elephants hadn’t wasted any time at all climbing into the water where they could enjoy a nice refreshing swim, while the rest of the herd instead chose to rest in the long grass in the background.
The ones in the water had almost fully submerged themselves, but they looked small enough to be mostly calves and adolescent elephants. These youngsters were unable to resist the allure of the pool while the more sedate adults grazed.
A Vital Swim
Eventually the adults and even younger elephants got involved as well. In the warmth of the daytime sun, the opportunity to cool off in the water was an essential part of every elephant’s routine and they were all prepared to take full advantage of it.
One tiny baby elephant was wading through water which reached up to its stomach, while its adult supervision was so tall that the water barely flowed over its ankles.
Clearly not one to let its small size stop it, the little elephant ran through the water, not able to go quite as deep as the others in the herd, but more than capable of frolicking in the shallows.
Fun In The Sun
Frolicking did indeed seem to be the main task of the day, with all of the elephants in the water throwing themselves gleefully around completely regardless of their age.
Many of them were waving their trunks playfully in the air before literally throwing themselves backwards and fully submerging themselves in the water. It must have been wonderfully refreshing for these elephants to shield their skin from the heat of the sun, and have fun at the same time.
As very social animals, events like these help the herd forge those close bonds that will last for their entire lives. Female elephants stay with the herd they’re born in until they die, so for many of these adults, this is a day with their sisters, nieces and nephews.
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Family Bonds
When they get old enough, any male calves will strike out on their own for new herds, but until then all the young elephants are raised collectively by their mothers and aunts. This makes elephant herds very close knit together, but that just makes days like this even more fun.
This herd is a close family enjoying the fun and games that they can have in the water, and as long as they can stay clear from predators, they’ll all go on to have long and fulfilling elephant lives.
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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