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Dog Consoles Grieving 9-Day-Old Foal When He Abruptly Lost His Mom

Written by: Julie Hunt
Julie Hunt is an avid dog lover and writer for iHeartDogs.com, and has a background as a veterinary technician. She rescued a beautiful former bait dog named Rory.Read more
| Published on October 4, 2023

When tragedy struck a 9-day-old foal named Tye, a compassionate dog named Zip stepped in to provide comfort and companionship. Tye’s mother passed away unexpectedly, leaving the young horse orphaned and alone. Zip, a 5-year-old Australian Cattle Dog, immediately sensed Tye’s distress and took it upon himself to become the foal’s protector and friend.

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Tye’s owner, Karla Swindle, was heartbroken when she discovered the mare had passed away. She knew that Tye would need extra care and attention to survive without his mother. Karla owns S & K Quarter Horses in Fayette, Alabama, where she raises horses and other animals. She has always been passionate about her animals and their well-being. She was determined to do everything she could to help Tye through this difficult time.

Little did Karla know that her dog Zip would step up and play a crucial role in Tye’s recovery. Zip had never shown any particular interest in the horses on the farm before, but something about Tye’s situation seemed to touch the dog’s heart. Zip began spending time with Tye, comforting the young horse and providing a sense of security.

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Karla was amazed by the bond that quickly formed between Zip and Tye. She noticed that Zip would often lie down beside Tye, keeping a watchful eye on the foal as he slept. When Tye was awake, Zip would play with him, running around the pasture and encouraging the young horse to exercise and explore his surroundings.

The friendship between Zip and Tye has not only helped the foal cope with the loss of his mother but has also had a positive impact on Zip. The Australian Cattle Dog had been struggling with the recent loss of his canine companion, a 16-year-old dog named Tinkerbell. His newfound friendship with Tye seemed to lift his spirits and give him a renewed sense of purpose.

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Karla believes that Zip’s companionship has been instrumental in Tye’s recovery. The foal has been gaining weight and growing stronger every day, thanks in part to the support and encouragement he receives from his canine friend. Karla is grateful for the special bond between Zip and Tye and is confident that their friendship will continue to flourish as Tye grows into a healthy, happy horse.

This heartwarming story of an unlikely friendship between a dog and a horse serves as a reminder of the incredible capacity animals have for empathy and compassion. Zip’s instinct to comfort and protect Tye in his time of need demonstrates the powerful bonds that can form between different species when unexpected circumstances bring them together.

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Feature image courtesy of Karla Swindle/Facebook 

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