Children of all kinds of animals will tend towards play, much to the exasperation of their mothers who are usually just trying to get through the day.
Elephants are no different, and while this mother sedately feeds on the field of floating plants, her calf spends its time getting up to all sorts of mischief around her instead of just behaving itself.
For safari-goers, this kind of behavior makes for some amazing sightings that show the more playful side of nature, as misbehaving children get up to their antics in the faces of their long-suffering parents.
A Watery Field Of Food
The whole elephant herd was submerged in deep water that almost reached the tops of the adult’s legs. The reason for this was because the thick matting of plants that had grown across the water’s surface must have been very tasty indeed.
The individual members of the herd were using their strong trunks to rip clumps of plants from the matting, and then they’d continue that twisting motion to fling the plants around and get most of the water off them.
Once this was achieved, the plants must have made a very satisfying meal, but for the calves, having such deep water to play in was too much of a distraction to allow them to eat lunch with the proper manners.
Triumphant Appearance
While an elephant adult was calmly twirling her food through the air before eating it, a calf emerged behind her, but this individual was not the one playing a game.
The playful calf had already fully submerged itself beneath the water next to its parent, and then it quite suddenly emerged with its trunk held high in triumph, perhaps trying to surprise its mother, who was just trying to enjoy her meal.
It looked as though it had a big smile on its face as it revealed itself, clearly immensely enjoying whatever kind of game it was playing, and then poking its mother with its trunk afterwards, to make sure she saw its appearance.
Submarine Simulator
The baby elephant’s game seemed to involve spending a lot of the time with its head submerged under the water and only its trunk in the air so that it could safely breathe.
There didn’t seem to be any kind of goal, being underwater was a reward in itself, and it was fun enough for the calf to keep submerging itself several times, only coming up from good when it had to follow its mom to a new patch of food.
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Time To Mimic Mom
The fact that mom had moved on seemed to indicate that the time for games had come to an end. Or perhaps all the underwater excitement had left the calf hungry enough for it to focus on eating instead.
It started to copy its parent, using its much smaller trunk to tear off clumps of plants which it started slinging around. Because it was much shorter, it struggled to hold the plants completely clear of the water, but before long it would be just as big as the rest of the herd.
Maybe then it would understand how difficult it can be to focus on a meal while a child is so intent on playing a game close by.
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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