ohmidog!

In the aftermath of a 2004 tsunami on the coast of Kenya, a young hippo was found stranded on a reef, with no mother in sight.

Villagers worked together to rescue the 600-pound hippo, and transported him to Haller Park, an animal sanctuary about 50 miles away in Mombasa.

The hippo was placed in an enclosure with a tortoise named Mzee, who avoided him at first. But Owen was relentless in pursuing the tortoise’s friendship. Eventually the two bonded — despite the difference in age. Owen was one. Mzee was 130.

The pair went on to find fame on the Internet and in children’s books. But eventually, due to Owen’s increasing size, they had to be separated for Mzee’s safety. Their tale was recounted last week on the National Geographic Channel’s special, “Unlikely Animal Friends.”