Karla Swindle is the owner of S & K Quarter Horses in Fayette, Alabama. A few years ago she had to euthanize one of her horses, a 22-year-old mare Sandy, because of declining health.

The case was devastating, especially for her 9-day-old foal Tye. The little one was left alone in this world. But soon he met an unexpected friend who became his guardian for him throughout all of his life.

Zip came and lay near the foal as if sensing that he was in great despair. Dogs are emotionally intelligent animals that seem to be able to sense when someone has passed away, and it definitely seemed like Zip understood the situation and reached a helping paw to this lost foal specifically.

Day after day the foal became more and more connected to the dog. Zip acted like a real caring father to Tye and they couldn’t imagine their life separately.

Even when Tye grew up and spent most of his time with his horse friends he spared time for Zip and came to talk with his doggy father.