This will be one of the most wholesome video clips you’ve seen this year, possibly ever. It covers the story of the unlikely friendship between a dachshund and a lion. Yes, a lion! Take a look for yourself and then read on to learn more about the extraordinary circumstances that led to this relationship.
A Beautiful, Unusual Friendship
Male lions are generally fierce.
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Bonedigger is a 500-pound adult male lion who was born with a metabolic bone disease. He would have had no chance of surviving in the wild, as he could not catch prey and would have been driven away from prides by stronger male lions. He was raised in captivity at G.W. Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, where he met a dachshund called Milo.
Milo, along with two other dachshunds, sensed the lion’s vulnerability. They played together, ate together, and cuddled up together. When the dachshunds were removed due to concerns for their safety, Bonedigger became very withdrawn and stressed. As soon as his best mate was reintroduced, he was back to his normal self!
How Is This Possible?
There is a significant weight difference between these two ‘friends’! Bonedigger weighs around 500 pounds, compared to Milo’s 11 pounds. Lions are ferocious predators. They are fast and strong with powerful jaws. Just a swipe from Bonedigger’s paws could send Milo flying. Male lions are also competitive and fight with each other, sometimes to the death. So, why is Bonedigger behaving this way?
We have to remember that Bonedigger is not a regular lion. He was raised in captivity and was hand-reared. What’s more, Milo was introduced to him when he was very young, so he has gotten used to him. It’s also possible that Bonedigger simply has a particularly laid-back personality.
Let’s not forget that dachshunds are also not normal dogs! They were bred to tackle animals (badgers) that were bigger than they were. Many owners describe the way that their dachshunds are oblivious to how small they are. They are giant dogs in small bodies!
Unusual Animal Friendships
There are other reports of animals forming highly unlikely friendships, particularly when they meet their friend at a young age. For example, an elephant and a sheep became best buddies in a wildlife rehabilitation center in South Africa. Snowy, a chicken, and Gladys, a cat, became best friends on a farm in England. And, at a zoo in Thailand, a tiger cub was raised by a pig!
