
In periods where there is no leadership,
society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous,
skillful leaders seize the opportunity to
change things for the better.
-Harry S. Truman
Additional Art [Did not come with donation]:By MeUsername: Supernuk48
Kennel Number: 3
Name [of pet]: MasaiGender [of pet]: Male
Breed/Species [of pet]: Bone Hyena, one of the last.
Height:29 inches
Weight:100 lbs.
Home:The wild Plains of Africa
Life Quote:You can take away everything from me but I will never be afraid! The hurt you have caused my family will not go unpunished. I will always seek to give it back! I will not go down until I know you're finished!
Overall Personality: Due to his lonely life, Masai learns that he has to be tough in order to survive. Once he meets the wild dog pack, he learns loyalty is key to being part of a family. He can be stubborn because of his young age. Overall, he is a wild child, forced to live with males twice his age. Some baby him, some order him around. He wants to become leader one day but most of them look down on him. He strives day in and day out to become a mature and strong leader and warrior. He never backs down from a fight. Headstrong and independent, he learns that being a leader is more than being at the top. He learns it is about fighting for your family and protecting the ones you love. Masai knows lessons and challenges face him in his future. He goes on, head held high and proud. One day, he hopes, he will be the greatest leader the Plains have ever seen.
Excerpt From Life StoryA Warrior Is Born:As the sun rises over the Plains, a clan arises. They are the dogs, toughest and meanest in the land. They roam like nomads from desert to desert. Drought is upon their homeland. Barks of leaders break the still morning silence. The sound of feet pounding the ground as they run off into the distant echoes throughout the hillside. They hope to bring back news of water and hopefully food for their starving pack. Chanya watches her son advance with his team over the land. She waits and watches while the young bone hyena, Masai, sleeps.
"Masai. It is passed midday. Rise."
"Leave me alone." Masai said, still half asleep.
"Zulu should be returning with news any time now." At the mention of Zulu, Masai leaped from his sleeping place and ran to the mouth of the den. He strained his eyes and hope with all his might that his hero and beloved brother would bring home food and news of water.
"Do, do you think Zulu caught anything today?" he said with a big smile, watching for any sign of the hunting pack. Chanya dipped her head then raised her eyes to look at Masai. Masai, about to turn 3, was the only thing Chanya lived for. Without food or water, she wished she could pass on. When Masai was found, she was the only dog who protested that he be cared for by the pack. Nassor mocked her old ways and stated that she simply wanted another "better" son. Shamed by her own son, she decided to take Masai into her care, whether the pack liked the decision or not.
Wide eyed and still smiling, Masai turned to face Chanya. "I just know Zulu will bring back stories of how he killed the biggest and fastest gazelle! He's going to come riding in with his prize on his broad shoulders! Wouldn't that be amazing, Chanya?" Chanya nodded and met Masai at the mouth of the den.
"Masai, your brother is not of proper age to kill. He is more of a, scout than a killer." She said this as gingerly as possible, hoping to not hurt his feelings.
"Zulu will bring back kill and news! He has to! He will!You'll see!" Masai said as he laid down stubbornly. Chanya smiled and sat down next to him.
"By Nassor's hunting code." Chanya said softly.
"Nassor will never let me do anything because I'm different. He even said so himself! I'll never get to hunt." Masai said with a sadder tone.
"One day, my boy, one day."
As the African sun started to set, Masai became worried. "Chanya, I just can't take this any longer!" He says as he turns to her. "Can I?"
"Be back before darkness."
"Tana will know." he said, calling over his shoulders as he raced down the mountainside. At the bottom, he scrambles through the daily commotion of dogs laughing and howling. He spots Tana sitting under an acacia tree.
"Greetings." Tana says as he hears Masai run up.
"Will Zulu-"
"He is fine."
"How do you-" Masai says before he is cut off by Tana's glare. He knew better than to test an elder especially Tana. Tana turned his glare from Masai to the horizon.
"And they have brought food." Tana said, laughing. The pack was coming, a black outline against the setting sun...
"Zulu!" Masai cried "You're back!" He ran to greet his older brother.
"How is Chanya?" Zulu said bluntly.
"Her? You know her. Better than fine."
"Good."
"Any news?"
"Well," Zulu started "we found enough kill to last us forever!" His blue and green eyes glowed. Masai stood dumbfounded.
"How, how did you do it?" Masai asked, still in a daze.
"Nassor said it was fine to hunt on the lion's territory." He said, puffing his chest out.
"But Zulu, isn't that dangerous?"
"Not in the least bit. We have Nassor to help us defeat any lion that could ever stand against us!" Masai noticed the sudden pride that grew within his brother. He had no confidence in Nassor. In Masai's heart of hearts, he wished to overthrow him and lead the pack. Nassor was young and so was Masai. He figured it would be a while until he got his chance. He pondered upon these things as Zulu went endlessly on about his adventures...
The moon shown brightly over the Plains. Moonbeams hit Masai's beaming skull as he watched, helplessly from his cave. Zulu stood next to Chanya while she cried. She couldn't bear the sight of her people being taken from. Masai turned to see his beloved friend cry. It was then that a spark ignited within him. "No. I can't let them do this! Nassor's fault or not, somebody's got to take a stand!" He leaped from the edge of his den and landed on the smooth ground. He raised himself just in time to see Nassor dodge the paw of Shala. Engaged in battle, Nassor fought against Shala, the lead lioness of a near-by lion pride. He tried to pounce on her but she swiftly raised her paw again and landed a clear strike on his neck. He fell silently. The strong dogs from the pack tried to seize her but she quickly shook them to the ground. She growled angrily.
"You dumb dogs think you can take what is rightfully ours!" Shala yelled. "Well this is the last time you dogs will interfere with my pride's survival!" She growled and shot a cold stare at the crowd of male dogs watching. Masai poked his head through. She spotted him and cocked her head. "But you're not one of them, are you?" She said as she examined his face. She chuckled and turned to her lioness hunters. "Take what they have. Leave them nothing." She ordered.
"You...how dare you." Masai said under his breath, taking a brave step closer to Shala.
"Which one of you filthy dogs said that?" She screeched.
"I'm not a dog!" Masai yelled "And you can't take our food!"
"Why you little scum. Adana. Take care of the rat." She turned and walked to Nassor who was bleeding from where her claw had punctured him. She hit him again. "See what happens when you mess with my tribe! I have beaten your ruler. I can beat you too, every single one of you worthless beings!" Adana closed in on Masai. She purred and growled tauntingly but she did not scare him.
"You can take away everything from me but I will never be afraid! The hurt you have caused my family will not go unpunished. I will always seek to give it back! I will not go down until I know you're finished!" Masai yelled as he slashed Adana in the face. She fell back in pain. Masai jumped over her and landed right in front of Shala.
"This is not a game, boy. This is survival. Today is the day where my tribe survives and yours doesn't." Shala said quietly then leaped towards him. He embraced for impact. Her body hit him hard. He fell back and as she stood, he bit her neck. "Let go now or I will kill your-!" The words escaped her as Masai jabbed his claws into her side. She screamed in pain and fell. Masai did not let go until her body went cold.
"See what happens when you mess with my family." Masai whispered into her lifeless ear...
"This is symbolizes the blood which he shed in order to protect his family," Tana said as he painted Masai's skull with Miracle berry paste. "And this" Tana said as he painted his legs, "symbolizes his beginning of warrior training!" The crowd of dogs became loud and jubilant. They cheered their hero who had defeated the lioness. Masai stood on a rock, honored to be called a warrior in training.
"Chanya! I did it!" he said, smiling. She gave him a smile with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Yes, my boy, you did." Chanya said as she turned to Nassor. "My son, will you train him?"
"Never." Nassor growled. "This is his one moment of glory. A hyena could never hunt, fight or rule a dog pack. Let this be known. He will never be one of us." He turned and walked away from the celebration. Chanya dipped her head in sadness. She was so proud of Masai but she knew in her heart he would never be accepted. She looked on as the crowd cheered for him. She could only hope they would be willing to accept him when he grows older...
Use [for pet]: Art: I love the design! I might even make adoptables (permission from donator first) of bone hyenas because it is such a cool and unique breed. He will definitely be seen around the oekaki.
Stories: I am considering finding an rp to join. If not used in an rp, his story will definitely be continued.
Loving: I use all my characters in art, stories, or as mascots. Take my art shop for example. He will never be left for dead in a folder.
In Depth With Masai Likes: He loves the highlands. He was taught by Zulu that fighting from the high ground is best.
Masai secretly chases after rhinos in the night. He stalks them and pretends he can take them all.
He loves his cave. He loves how his voice echoes. It makes him feel bigger.
He loves compliments.
Dislikes: He has a terrible fear of the lowlands were Zulu was once attacked by lions.
He dislikes when he sees his family fight. He cannot stop them which makes him angrier.
He hates it when he is told he can't because in his mind, he can do anything.
He hates lectures from the pack leaders. He feels like they pick on him because he is different.
Age: He was orphaned at birth.
He is barely 2 when the dog pack finds him.
He is almost three when he stands up against Shala.
Appearance: He is brown with a white mane. He has dark brown spots that run from his shoulders to his tail. He has white spots on his hind legs. His skull is piercing white and is painted with
Miracle berry paste, commonly found in Africa. He has green eyes with are said to glow when he is truly happy. His legs are painted with African mango juice that symbolize that he is in training and is not a full adult yet.
People In His Life:Mate: He is too young and he has never seen any other bone hyena.
Friends:ChanyaChanya, an old wild dog who is the mother of Nassor, the pack leader. She takes care and raises Masai without the approval of the rest of the pack. Her own son dislikes her decisions but Chanya believes in Masai. She hopes to live long enough to see Masai come to power as he was meant to be.
She is like the mother Masai never had. He can tell her anything. She loves him and he loves her. This powerful bond plays a great role in Masai becoming leader.
ZuluHis adopted brother who was also orphaned at birth. He is one of the few wild dogs who have compassion on Masai. He loves Masai with all his heart. He tries to keep him out of harm and out of the elders' hair. He is mature and responsible. He is Masai's greatest role model. He has a little bit of a pride issue like Masai due to the fact that Masai elevates him over any dog who has ever lived. Even with his flaws, Masai couldn't ask for a better older brother.
Enemies:NassorHe is Chanya's only son. She loves him but he is bitter. He is leader of the pack and he only treats the fittest with respect. He picks on Masai constantly and sets him up to fail. He is angered that his own mother won't take his side. He is not the best leader but he does protect the pack. He is very bossy and he loves attention. Legends are told about him that once a dog who was faster and stronger than he was stood against him. They say he killed him because of his love for power. Overall, Nassor is just one of the roadblocks Masai will have to face in order to become a true warrior.
ShalaShe was the head hunter of the lion tribe. She was the tribe's secondary leader. She, like Nassor, hated anyone who couldn't do what she did. She killed off her own tribe members when they tried to rebel. She chased after those who tried to escape. She was cruel and unforgiving. She loved to prey on anyone she comes in contact with. She tried to kill Nassor and the entire dog pack but Masai ended up defeating her.
Background Information:
History Of The Bone Hyenas:Scientific ClassificationKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Oshyaenae
The bone hyenas were a special species. They hunted only small prey and they lived deep in caves and caverns. They lived peacefully. The famine came and decreased the population but the majority managed. They migrated from place to place to find water and food. Little by little, food and water became very scarce. Only the strongest were promised life.
Their end was caused by humans. Their skins and claws were sold at modest prices but it was their bone heads were prized and sold for thousands of dollars. Some were taken as living specimens to colleges and labs for study. Few escaped and only lived for a short while because of the famine. Very few actually reproduced.

There used to be as many bone hyenas as any animal in Africa. Now, the population is down to 100 in the entire continent. They created many laws in the countries of Africa so hunters will be sentenced to 20-30 years in prison. The main problem today is that they live so far apart that they cannot reproduce. The species has become critically endangered. Researchers hoped to find more hyenas like Masai and bring them together in one general location. Maybe then the bone hyena will return.
Hammertime