ANIMALS

Tiny Kitten with Dwarfism Gets a Permanent Home at This Vet Clinic

Visiting the vet can be a tense experience for both the pet and its owner, but St. Francis Hospital for Animals stands out as an exception. It feels more like a welcoming home where anxiety turns into joy, all thanks to an unusual but cherished team member—Ozzy, a small black cat with a unique tale.

Image source: ozzythedwarfkitty

Ozzy has a kind of dwarfism called osteochondrodysplasia, and he ended up at the clinic by sheer luck. Emily, the caring kennel/boarding manager, chose to welcome Ozzy into the clinic’s family. Now, he receives all the necessary care without any cost and spends his days happily with his feline friend, Yellow Cat. Together, they bring a lot of warmth to the clinic.

Image source: ozzythedwarfkitty

Upon arriving at the clinic, Ozzy faced health issues such as parasites and conjunctivitis. The staff promptly addressed these concerns. As time went on, they observed that Ozzy wasn’t growing as anticipated. Following some examinations, they discovered his unique condition.

“He has a condition called osteochondrodysplasia, which is a form of genetic dwarfism. He also has a few problems, such as short joints, occasional breathing problems because of his bulldog-like face, and the occasional bout of constipation.”

Image source: ozzythedwarfkitty

Ozzy’s path to becoming a beloved part of St. Francis Hospital for Animals is like a fortunate twist of fate.

Emily shared, “Ozzy was actually brought into the clinic by a couple who found him in the middle of a street while they were house hunting. They said he was just sitting there meowing, and nobody was around.”

Now, he’s a vital member of the clinic. Every day, alongside his friend Yellow, they greet the staff. During challenging moments when tough decisions need to be made, Ozzy provides comfort and joy.

The connection between Ozzy and the clinic’s clients goes beyond the typical vet-patient dynamic; it highlights the healing influence of having a furry friend nearby.

Image source: ozzythedwarfkitty

Even though Ozzy encounters challenges due to his special situation, his life is brimming with love. While he might not experience a standard cat’s life, he relishes every moment.

“He is a normal cat, though. He enjoys sleeping on his heating pad, playing with his normal-size brother Yellow, and generally just causing mischief. He means everything to us at this clinic,” said Emily.

Image source: ozzythedwarfkitty

Ozzy has discovered a permanent home in this small vet clinic that has been serving for more than 15 years. With a doctor as his dad and a caring family of about five moms, including receptionists and technicians, Ozzy receives all the care he requires.

To the clinic’s staff, Ozzy is not just a patient; he’s a cherished companion who occupies a special place in their hearts.

ANIMALS

Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons

The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently explored the Ningaloo Canyons on the western coast of Australia using a robotic underwater vehicle called the ROV Sebastian. Check out the amazing video of what they discovered in the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.

More info: Youtube

ANIMALS

These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects

Flying insects move so quickly that they are hard to follow, but new technology and some smart ideas have helped Spanish photographer Xavi Bou do just that. After spending 10 years focusing on birds in flight for his Ornithographies project, he turned his attention to insects.

For Entomographies, he uses high-speed video footage taken by Adrian Smith, an insect expert at North Carolina State University, to study and record how insects move. Bou then picks multiple frames and combines them into single images that show the fast movements of one or more insects through space and time.

With Smith’s help, Bou has captured the aerial tricks of wasps, the jumps of leafhoppers, and the fluttering of butterflies in amazing detail. He hopes that by doing this, he can make people more aware of the decline in important insect populations around the world.

1. Zebra longwing

This butterfly, which is common in many areas of the Americas, really fits its name. It can fly very high with just a few flaps of its large wings.