Dogs are such loving, kind creatures. They have strong instincts for protection and frequently take an animal under their wing if they feel that it may need some assistance.
That was the case with one rescue dog that adopted an orphaned foal and grew to be its guardian and best friend.
In Fayette, Alabama, Karla Swindle is the proprietor of S & K Quarter Horses. Her 22-year-old mare named Sandy had to be put to sleep a few years ago because of her deteriorating condition.
Tye, Sandy’s foal, who had been abandoned at the age of just nine days, found the death to be exceptionally devastating.
But Karla’s dog, Zip, instantly stepped in to console the frightened young horse.
According to Karla, “Zip stayed with me in the barn alley all night; the foal was resting in the alley, and he just laid there by the foal.”
Karla claims that the dog stayed with the colt the entire night, consoling him with a compassionate paw after sensing Tye’s grief.
According to IHeartDogs, she told the Lewiston Tribune that “[Zip] was laying there by his neck and the dog was whining, like sobbing.” It simply tore my heart apart.
That evening, Zip instantly stepped in to act as the foal’s companion and guardian, so even though Tye lost his mother, he also gained a closest friend.
Karla remarked, “I guess he’s adopted it as his baby. He is saying to him, “You are not alone.”
Dogs are emotionally perceptive animals who appear to be able to detect death, and it was clear that Zip comprehended the situation and especially sought out to this lost foal.
Karla told The Dodo, “We raise foals every year, and he would kind of look through the entrance and just look at them.” Zip was aware that something was amiss that night, you could tell.
She told the Tribune, “This is the first time he’s ever just licked on one, nudged one, lain on one.
For several weeks, Zip continued to look for Tye every day and looked forward to seeing his companion each morning.
According to Karla, every time she went to the barn, Zip would run to the stall and wait for her there. She would then stand in front of the stall. He always arrived at the barn before me.
He would almost knock me down as soon as I opened the door before I could enter. He would approach the foal and place his head on him if he was lying down.
Tye has subsequently matured into a content and healthy horse, undoubtedly as a result of Zip’s friendship and care throughout his formative years.
Tye now spends the most of his time with his other horses and has had to, in a sense, “leave the nest,” becoming less dependent on his dog father.
Karla remarked, “You could tell that Zip was there for the foal when he needed him. “And now that Zip is aware that the foal is fine, they sort of parted ways.”
Even though they are no longer dependent upon one another, we are aware that these two will always be friends and hold a particular place in one another’s hearts.