Elephants are immense and majestic creatures, and this size always makes for an impressive sighting. Like all other living things, they have a range of temperatures which they find comfortable.
This footage of a herd of elephants enjoying a very satisfying looking mud bath was sent to Latest Sightings by the African Bioacoustics Community, and comes from the Kruger National Park.
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It’s not always obvious what animals are thinking or feeling, but it seems pretty safe to say that the elephants in this herd were having the time of their lives as they frolicked in the cool mud.
The Head Of The Herd
Right at the head of that herd wasn’t the matriarch elephant, like one might expect, but instead it was the tiniest little calf, leading the entire herd into the bath.
The matriarch elephant typically leads the herd as the oldest and most experienced female. It turned out that this elephant calf didn’t need to have that experience to know that cooling off in the mud was a good thing.
The rest of the elephants followed their little leader into the thick mud, trusting the calf not to lead them astray, and knowing that they were in for a good time with this mud bath.
Nature’s Cooling System
Days out on the African savanna can reach high temperatures, and due to their size, elephants have a lot of skin to absorb that heat and keep them warm.
There’s nothing better than a good covering of cool mud to help them feel better, and stop them from overheating. Seeing how enthusiastic the elephants are in the mud makes it clear just how much this means to them.
Not only does the mud cool them down in the moment, but having it on their skin helps them stay cool for longer, whereas if it was just water they’d dry quickly and start warming up again.
The Most Satisfying Day
It’s actually quite wholesome to see these enormous creatures so excited about something, and the calf that led them there was the most excited of all. It had done the right thing leading the herd to the mud.
It had also had a good idea by being at the front of the herd, as the excitement of the other elephants quickly led to them being a little more rambunctious, and the calf didn’t yet have the size or strength to hold up well in that kind of environment.
Unlike other animals which also like to bathe in mud, like rhino and hippos, elephants can also use their trunks to spread the wet mud around, and they used them with gusto, flinging the mud through the air.
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With many highly sought after safari sightings featuring dangerous predators actively taking down their prey, it’s wonderfully refreshing to see animals doing nothing more than enjoying themselves.
Wholesome sightings such as these show that the Kruger really does have something for everyone, and that sometimes even the largest creatures on the planet will follow their littlest members.
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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