What animal do you most associate with the zoo? We’re willing to bet that a lion is definitely in the top ten! These creatures are popular for their beautiful manes, elegant appearance, and frightening roars. In the wilderness, they are considered social animals who roam the land in packs. Once, there was even a pride made up of 40 lions overall!
Just about everyone will bow down to the alpha male of the pride, though it is actually the females who hunt and protect the young. They are strong and vicious creatures willing to do anything to take care of their pride.
Now, we want you to imagine what happens when a tiny dachshund puppy finds itself in a lion’s enclosure. We bet you’re worried. A poor little dog like that doesn’t stand a chance, right?
Daschund in the Lion’s Den
King of the Wild
The lion has earned a reputation as the king of the wild, a status earned through strength, power, elegance, and mighty roars. However, people get a different look at these fierce creatures when they are in captivity. Under this setting, we can see that lions share many similarities with a distant relative – the house cat. Perhaps they are not as terrifying as we all assumed!
King of the Wild
Domesticated
Meet John Reinke. He is one of several people who had the opportunity to play with and raise large animals when they are still young. He pretty much took care of a tiger called Tony and a lion called Bonedigger ever since these creatures were just orphan little cubs. The three formed a rather unorthodox family, to say the least. However, John soon noticed something between his “kids”. When Tony gets a little too rough with John, Bonedigger would approach the tiger and growl!
Domesticated
Health Issues
You should know that the cub had health problems from the moment he was born. Bonedigger had metabolic bones, which meant they were weaker and more brittle than usual. Most animals with the same condition tend to not live to see adulthood. However, Bonedigger is a survivor and he made it despite the odds.
Health Issues
A Terrifying Fall
However, Bonedigger was not the only family member who had to deal with medical issues. In 1994, John made the decision to try bungee jumping. However, the worst case scenario happened and John fell 55 feet and landed on a metal spike! The end results involved broken back, hip, and feet. Yikes.
A Terrifying Fall
Life-Altering News
The doctors were convinced that John would never be able to walk again. However, even worse is the fact that John had to amputate both legs! This served as an eye-opener for John. This was when he realized how much he wanted to help everyone in any way he possibly could. That was how he made the decision to work with animals.
Life-Altering News
Bonding
John shared a unique bond with Bonedigger as they were both dealing with medical challenges. Whenever Tony played too roughly and tried pulling his prosthetic legs, Bonedigger always came to protect him.
Bonding
Growing Up
It was only a matter of time before the cubs began to grow bigger and bigger. They eventually became too big for John to keep in his own home. This was when he took them both to the Oklahoma-based Wynnewood Animal Park. Here, they could roam as much as they wanted as the place was very spacious.
Growing Up
Lonely
Luckily for Tony, he was introduced to the tigers residing in the park. Bonedigger, meanwhile, was placed in an enclosure alone. It did not seem like he was happy in his new home. The lion usually paced around, probably wishing there were other lions he could play with.
Lonely
Mascots
In the park, there were four dachshund pups who roamed the park and served as the local mascots. They ate the food guests dropped onto the floor and taunted the parrots. The leader of this group was a tiny but fearsome dog called Abby.
Mascots
New Friends
Not unlike the visitors of the zoos, the dogs enjoyed watching the other animals. They must have been thrilled to learn about the new lion in the park. Without hesitation, they took Bonedigger into their little family. We bet this was a huge change for the lion. He was probably unused to all the attention showered upon him.
New Friends
Joe Exotic
It is pretty hard to beat Joe Exotic in terms of experience. He has worked with big cats for more than 32 years! He started noticing that Bonedigger was not comfortable there and he decided to take it upon him to make the lion feel more at home.
Joe Exotic
Risky Decision
The plan that Joe formulated was a rather risky one. He brought Abby into Bonedigger’s enclosure! He did keep the dachshund on a leash and prayed that the lion would treat her warmly. However, Bonedigger was actually quite afraid of the little pup and he tried pulling away from her.
Risky Decision
Bonedigger’s Reaction
Joe told the keeper who had been holding Bonedigger to let the lion go so that he could decide if he wanted to be friends with Abby or not all by himself. While Abby seemed excited to be near Bonedigger, judging by the way she jumped around. However, Bonedigger distanced himself from both the keeper and dog before letting out a roar! He might have tried his hardest, though it still ended up sounding like a squeak. Regardless, it was time to separate the lion and the dog.
Bonedigger’s Reaction
Second Meeting
Joe wanted to try the plan a second time. Things did change a little as Bonedigger appeared braver. He started approaching the tiny dog! The lion completely dwarfed Abby and he had to lower his head in order to sniff her.
Second Meeting
New Friends
The second meeting proved to be successful as Bonedigger approved of Abby’s presence. The keepers let the dog go around without a leash and she roamed the enclosure, clearly excited. They also placed some of Bonedigger’s favorite play toys nearby to make him more comfortable. Abby took notice of the toys and started approaching them. However, Bonedigger was a little territorial of his things and ran towards them. Abby only licked his nose playfully!
New Friends
Moving In Together
After some time, Abby and Bonedigger started becoming friends. This was when the keepers decided it was time to find them a larger place to live. The park moved the pair into a bigger enclosure and even provided them with adjacent beds. The new space also contained a big platform from where they could look over the rest of the zoo.
Moving In Together
A New Pride
Joe knew that lions were social creatures and this is why he decided to allow the other dachshunds into the enclosure. This signaled the beginning of a new and unconventional pride. The three other dogs were Angel, Bullet, and Milo. Bonedigger welcomed every one of them into his pride.
A New Pride
Family Dinner
The zookeepers were completely astounded at the way the lion and the dogs got along. They wanted to try doing something else – they wanted to see if they can feed together! They gave Bonedigger some raw meat and the dogs kibble. True to form, the mischievous pup Abby began barking as she knew Bonedigger could check on her to see what was happening. When he left his food unattended, she went over to his food and took off with a steak! Fortunately, Bonedigger did not mind sharing.
Family Dinner
Separation Anxiety
Abby and Bonedigger had a powerful bond between them. They were always together and they even cleaned each other’s teeth and fur! The lion did not like being separated from his friends. Whenever they left, he would only sit and wait for their return.
Separation Anxiety
Learning About Each Other
Considering the amount of time Bonedigger and Abby spent together, it was not surprising to learn that they taught each other new things. Abby started growling like a lion while Bonedigger figured out her body language.
Learning About Each Other
More Unlikely Friends
Of course, Bonedigger and Abby are far from being the first case of unorthodox animal friendship. Case in point? Just look at this triumvirate composed of a lion, bear, and tiger! The trio lives in Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in Georgia.
More Unlikely Friends
Life-Long Friends
Shere Khan, Baloo, and Leo were taken to the facility back in 2001. The tiger, bear, and lion were respectively rescued from their abusive owner. They were kept in a basement until they were taken to safety. During the recovery process, the three formed a formidable bond and that was how they became such good friends.
Life-Long Friends
Cubs
The animals suffered abuse at the hand of their previous owner when they were just cubs. Shere Kahn was malnourished and underweight, whereas Leo had a wound on his nose that was left untreated. Meanwhile, Baloo suffered a skin infection after he was kept in a harness. We’re glad to hear all three regained their strength after the rescue!
Cubs
BLT
The group earned a moniker. They were called BLT by both the staff and visitors of the zoo. The name of the group stood for bear, lion, tiger! They were together for more than 15 years. Unfortunately, Leo became sick and died in 2016.
BLT
Noah’s Ark
No one will deny that BLT is the most well-known animal group at Noah’s Ark. However, it is important to remember that the sanctuary is actually the home of more than 1,500 abused animals. The facility gives the rescues a place they could call home, somewhere they can live peacefully.
Noah’s Ark
Sanctuary vs. Zoo
What exactly is the difference between a zoo and a sanctuary? If you’re wondering, one way to tell them apart is the fact that zoos earn a profit from the visitors whereas sanctuaries are meant to protect and shelter animals. The animals you will find in sanctuaries likely won’t make it by themselves in the wild or were rescued from abusive homes. Zoos, on the other hand, make it a point to trade, breed, and buy animals.
Sanctuary vs. Zoo
More Animal Lovers
If you feel like you are losing hope in humanity, remember that there are plenty of people like John Reinke out there. South African Frikkie Von Solks has been taking care of this lion for more than 15 years. Solms started taking care of Zion when he was just a cub that had been separated from his father and mother.
More Animal Lovers
Zion
Overall, Solms took care of more than 19 lions. However, he had the best relationship with Zion. Zion was taught to appreciate and respect people as well as to treat them gently. No one ever had any reason to fear the lion.
Zion
Protecting People
There might be a lot of stories where people protect animals, though animals have also protected people on many occasions. In Ethiopia, for example, a 12-year-old girl was walking home from school when four men attempted to capture her. The saviors came in the form of three lions who prevented the kidnappers from succeeding!
Protecting People
Lions to the Rescue
We bet the four kidnappers were shocked to find that they were being chased by three lions. They took off in fear and the lions stuck around until the police arrived to escort the young girl home. How miraculous is that? This is clearly an example of the way humans and animals can live in harmony together.
Lions to the Rescue