Animals in Service
Sep 16, 2025
We've all read stories about how animals are in service to humans. This is a true tale about a horse who was in service to another horse.
Our next door neighbors had a horse called Elvis. He was a 17 year old palomino quarter horse. They had him for many years, and he had a good life with them. He was not an easy horse - afraid of everything, lots of physical injuries, didn't like a whole lot of things. They had patience and showered him with love. I'd like to say he let go of a lot of his spookiness and other problems, but he didn't. There was some improvement, and he didn't get worse. It was very clear he was in the right place.
Elvis
Since our neighbors are moving, they've sold all of their horses (except Elvis) and the last one was scheduled to leave on Sunday. Elvis would be alone, and Elvis was a basket case when he was alone. He needed another equine until he found his forever home.
Enter Phineas (Finn to his friends). Our neighbor asked if anyone had a horse who could be a companion until they found a home for Elvis. Finn raised his hoof and offered to be that horse.
Then it was discovered Elvis had a broken bone in one hoof. Very bad news. The vet recommended euthanasia. His last companion was still leaving, so he still needed a buddy. Finn was all about going over there to keep him company, and help Elvis pass.
Finn took a short trailer ride. The sold horse left. I got a message from our neighbor saying Finn was taking his job as companion very seriously. He was never out of Elvis' sight. He checked in with Elvis. Elvis at this point was confined to a stall (which he had always disliked), and Finn helped him stay calm, hanging out in the barn aisle, and talking to Elvis through the window in the stall. Finn was a total hero.
Finn working in our coaching program. TOTAL hero.
The vet came the next day, the deed was done, and Finn came home. The first thing he did when he was back in his pasture was leach and leach and leach (it looks like yawning), releasing all the tension he took on while he was at the neighbors helping Elvis. I was so glad to see him do that. It meant he was letting go of anything detrimental to his own physical and mental health.
Animals are excellent at self-care. We can learn a huge lesson from them. If you need to shake, shake. If you need to cry, do it. It's release. It's better than storing it in your body.
Do any of you have a story about an animal being in service to another animal?
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