This Cheetah and Puppy Are Best Friends

1 minute read

Here's a snapshot of Ruuxa & Raina. Perfect match! Learn about our cheetah/dog pairings here: http://t.co/HAEeYtj7LV pic.twitter.com/Kan08ECZi5

— San Diego Zoo Safari Park (@sdzsafaripark) June 12, 2014

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a six-week-old cheetah named Ruuxa and a seven-week-old Rhodesian ridgeback puppy named Raina have been bonding since the cub’s mother abandoned it after birth.

“Because the cheetah was by himself and did not have any siblings we wanted him to have a companion immediately,” animal training manager Susie Ekard said in a statement. “They definitely like to play, and when they take naps together, they often will snuggle up together for that warmth and closeness.”

(h/t The Week‘s Speed Reads)

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Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com