Ohio zoo's cheetah cub 'picked' puppy as companion animal

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- An Ohio zoo introduced the public to its latest residents: a 10-week-old cheetah cub and his companion, a 7-week-old puppy.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium posted photos to Facebook showing off cheetah cub Emmett and his puppy companion, Cullen.

The zoo, which also shared a short video of the pair on Twitter, said Emmett was born at The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio, and had to be hand-reared for several weeks due to being treated for pneumonia.

Officials said Emmett "picked" Cullen to be his companion dog, a position aimed at helping the normally skittish animal be more at ease and confident while living at the zoo.