Most baby animals enjoy spending their time playing games, climbing all over each other and, if they’re predators, pretending to hunt. Maybe it’s because of the deadly killing machines they will grow to become that little lion cubs are some of the cutest babies of them all.
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These ones were playing at the side of the road when Graeme Mitchley caught them on camera. Their game is typical of cubs of their age, but it must have been getting on in the day as their dinnertime approached, and Graeme sent in the footage of them feeding to Latest Sightings.
The intense games the little lions played must have left them famished, and the amount of effort they put into pretending to hunt each other surely took a lot out of them after a few minutes.
Boy Band Pose
Hilariously, when Graeme started filming, the three lions had lined themselves up on the road, looking like they were posing for some kind of album cover. It’s likely they were just looking at his vehicle, but they look like a boy band.
If they had pockets, their hands would be in them, but it would take them a while to put out an album because they instantly got lost in their cheeky little games, and because they’re, you know, lions.
But, even though little big cats like these can pose for the camera, their game takes precedence over almost all other matters, and they were soon rolling around in the long grass along the edge of the road.
Essential Playtime
This isn’t just playtime for these little lions. Games like these help them to develop their early hunting skills as they copy the techniques of the adults, and it also helps them learn vital social skills.
This is lion school just as much as it’s playtime. Under the watchful eyes of the lionesses, two aunts and their mother, they practice stalking and attacking each other, preparing themselves for adult life.
After a few months they’ll be weaned off their mother’s milk, and then by the time they’re around three years old the males will be striking out on their own, using the social and hunting skills they were learning here in this footage.
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As Good A Place As Any
The same spot they’ve chosen for their games, the side of the road, seemed as good a place as any for them to have their dinner as well, and their mother padded into the middle of the road to lay down.
The prospect of food was the one thing that could distract the lion cubs from their games, and they hurried over to feed from their mother, and continue growing big and strong from her milk.
The games they play, alongside their mother’s milk, will ensure that they grow into becoming the deadly apex predators of the future, the milk providing essential nutrients, and the games beginning to build their strength.
They had a lot of growing left to do before they were big and strong like their mom, but they appeared to be having a good upbringing, and that meant they’d get there in almost no time at all.
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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