Followers

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

F is for forever fur-friends

When the staff of the San Diego Zoo find themselves with an orphaned cheetah, what do they do? They find the orphan a friend. Young animals of very different breeds can make friends easily, as is shown here—a cheetah named Bakka has spent most of his life with Miley, a husky mix. They live together, play together, and go for walks together.

Photos by Richard Schear, San Diego Zoo, March, 2012


Although the cheetah is by no means a pet, zoo staff are more able to work with him than if he had been raised by his mother. “Having a dog buddy who can show [the cheetahs] that everything is okay—and even fun—helps the cat feel comfortable and relaxed. The dog’s body language communicates that there’s nothing to fear, and that relaxes and calms the flight tendencies of the cheetah.”  (San Diego Zoo.com)

Posted for
ABC Wednesday
the alphabetical meme started by Denise Nesbitt. Thanks, Denise, and thanks also to Roger O. Green, who keeps our alphabet hunt fun.

19 comments:

Nanka said...

The cheetah can run faster than any other land animal and is a great big cat!! I am wondering if the regal Cheetah may get too domesticated, converted and adapting to a dogs ways!! Unusual fur-friends!!

Joyful said...

wow! It's amazing how animals can get along together when introduced at a young age.

Sylvia K said...

That is SO wonderful to see!! The whole world could use more of this kind of acceptance of others! Wonderful captures and a great post for the day! Hope your week is going well, Kay!

photowannabe said...

Very, very unusual.
I hope the dog doesn't become dinner some time....

Roger Owen Green said...

Wow. Haven't been to the SD Zoo since 1987 or 1988.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Vagabonde said...

My husband has a book showing many unlikely friends like this. It is nice that such different breeds can get along so well – I wish humans could copy them!

Anonymous said...

Glad that someone else is walking those animals instead of me. They sure are beautiful though.

Linda said...

This is lovely, thank you so much for sharing. Animals can...and do teach us so much.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

WOW! This is amazing. And lovely.

Fireblossom said...

I saw them on tv. They're amazing!

Barbara Rosenzweig said...

That's amazing to see this cheetah on a leash!!

Yes, oils are MUCH more forgiving, but MUCH MESSIER! I'm willing to put up with the difficulty of painting in watercolors, as long as the cleanup is easy! LOL

Yes, your brother probably did wonderful work, but it's hard to pay the rent with fine art.

Hildred said...

What an interesting combination. It seems dogs can make almost anybody relax!

Cezar and Léia said...

wow cute big cat! :)
Great pictures dear Kay, thanks for sharing!
Léia

aspiritofsimplicity said...

hmmm...i think it's a great idea. But, I wouldn't want to be around when they do it.

Indrani said...

Wow! What a good company!
Almost unbelievable.

Reader Wil said...

It's amazing Kay! Animals are better than humans, who are always ready to discriminate against others.Is it because animals have no religion and don't raise political issues?
Take care!
Wil, ABCW Team

Leslie said...

Fascinating. I had no idea that a dog could be raised with a cheetah (let alone be a lifetime companion for one!)

Phil Slade said...

A slightly amazing story Kay, but then animals are so much more clever than we humans give them credit for.

Suzy said...

Loved your very interesting story of the fur friends. How unique. A great take on the letter F.

Suzy at SomedaySomewhere