The delightful variety of big cats that might be spotted on safari come in all shapes, sizes and hunting disciplines. Lions benefit from the support that comes with their pride, and leopards trust to stealth to help them survive their solitary lifestyles.
Cheetahs fall somewhere in-between, living in social units smaller than a pride, but larger than an individual. These coalitions rely on their speed to bring down their prey, typically composed of deer or antelope.
While at the Phinda Game Reserve, Grant Rattray caught two cheetahs on camera as they turned their hunting skills to larger, more difficult prey. Stunningly, these cheetah had caught sight of a young giraffe, and they were in the mood for a meal.
Some Ambitious Prey
For these two cheetahs to designate this giraffe as their prey meant they must have felt very secure with their chances. The giraffe’s youth would have tipped the scales in the favor of the big cats, but this was still a risky hunt.
Even lions will be wary of adult giraffes, which can lash out with enough strength to kill them, and, because they rely on their speed, cheetahs are less robust than these other big cats.
If this giraffe was still young enough to rely on its mother for protection, then the cheetahs would have to move quickly before she came back and forced them to leave empty handed.
Built For Speed
Fortunately for these cheetahs, they excelled at moving quickly. No doubt their ability to accelerate served them well in the hunt as giraffes can also get a shift on when they need to, but by the time Grant’s footage began the cheetahs had already caught their prey.
To ensure they got a meal as a reward for all of their efforts, the cheetahs would have to bring the giraffe down quickly as well. Just by merit of their enormous size, giraffes possess a lot of strength and while cheetahs might be able to run at high speeds, they can only fight for so long.
The longer the giraffe resisted the harder it would be for these two cheetahs to bring it down, and the greater risk that an older and more experienced giraffe could come to its aid.
Family Teamwork
Cheetah coalitions are typically composed of siblings, most often two or three brothers, that strike out on their own to hunt and survive, which means that these two cheetahs would be related.
Growing up, and then surviving together, results in strong social bonds which make these big cats well suited to supporting each other in hunts, and using teamwork to trap and kill their prey.
It appeared from Grant’s footage that both cheetahs had agreed to target the giraffe’s legs to bring it down. A deadly strategy that proved effective as the weakened giraffe could no longer support its weight and fell behind the tree line.
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Dinner’s Ready
With the unlucky prey animal on the ground, its throat was now in reach of the cheetahs hungry jaws and they would be able to dispatch it without much more trouble.
There was no adult giraffe in sight to give assistance to the stricken youngster, and the sounds of struggle had brought no other predators to investigate, which meant these two cheetahs could enjoy the fruits of their labors untroubled by intruders.
Seeing predators hunt always makes for incredible sightings, but watching large cats work together to bring down unusual prey is something extra special, and Grant was very lucky to have witnessed it.
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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