Right now, we could all use a little bit of positive news. And that's one of the many reasons why animals are such fantastic distractions. Whether it's watching nature documentaries with your family on Disney+ or just taking a nature hike outside, right now is the perfect time to focus on everything that's happening around us.
As it turns out, some animals have learned to coexist peacefully, even pairings you wouldn't expect. Jennifer Boyle recently showcased her two pets who have proven that size differences mean nothing. She has a horse and a cat, and the two are quite fond of each other.
"I'd really like to sleep in on the odd occasion, but my cat Morris insists on going out to see his best friend Champy the horse at the first hint of light," she told Bored Panda. "Champy and Morris have been besties for over seven years now."
Champy initiated the friendship first. Morris was a shelter rescue, so he likely appreciated the instant kindness. "Morris jumped up on his back and he happily took him for rides around the paddock," Jennifer said. "Now it's become their morning ritual."
Sure, not everyone is in the position to spontaneously rescue a horse and a cat duo after reading that. But it's definitely tempting. And while no proof was actually needed, it's still nice to see that animals often have big hearts.
Morris and Champy are so close that they even like to snuggle up. Cats often have a bad reputation for being not the friendliest of creatures, which makes this pairing even more special. Despite their size difference, Morris has no problem palling around with his good friend.
It's possible that Champy had a sense that Morris' life prior to his adoption wasn't that great. That's the reason why most interspecies friendships develop, and it's really amazing to think about. These animals weren't naturally set up to be friends, but it just happened.
It's even more intriguing when bonds happen between animals who would consider each other predators and prey. For example, consider the story of ecology and evolutionary biology professor Marc Bekoff's dog. The Atlantic wrote a piece about how Marc was stunned when his pet pooch started befriending a fox Marc had brought to visit their apartment.
Instead of being scared of each other, Marc's dog embraced the fox. In fact, the fox became a big part of his day. According to Marc, when the fox was crated, his dog would "sit in front of it and whine so he could see his fox friend." The two animals really enjoyed spending time together.
Stories like this are heartwarming for a reason. It showcases animals who care about, and benefit from, each other in ways that don't necessarily involve key survival. "For about as long as humans have been studying animal behavior, though, they've been considering the question of whether such a love is really possible," The Atlantic noted. "Is it fair to call these pairings friendships, or is there something else that's drawing them to one another?"
The publication notes one of the most intriguing friendships of all. And that's a bonding between a tiger named Amur and his dinner. Staff at a Siberian zoo reportedly put a goat in his enclosure for mealtime, but the two really hit it off, and Amur spared the goat's life. The goat was then given the name of Timur.
Intriguingly, the two actually had a falling out after making national news. In 2016, the zoo reportedly told fans that the two would be separated. The Dodo reported that Timur suffered from a significant weight gain during his time with the tiger. The staff also thought that Amur may have ended up turning on his friend during mating season.
"Timur pushed Amur down the slope, poked him with his horns and legs, and finally stepped on Amur while he was sleeping," zoo director Dmitry Mezentsev told the Siberian Times. "Amur woke up, grabbed Timur with his teeth, shook him like a kitten, and threw him away. Then he lay down to rest again." So it's likely for the best that they were separated.
However, their initial bond was still incredible. The tiger reportedly ate goats quite often, so it's interesting why he chose to spare Timur's life. But he also helped give Timur's life more purpose. While it's never great to see an animal kill another animal, it's natural — and it's just how the world works.
However, Timur had become such a popular part of the zoo that he was given the best care after the negative encounter. "We made anti-shock therapy to relieve stress and gave him antibiotics — strong medicines because it is likely the wounds are infected. We suppressed the development of infection, from which most of the animals die in such cases," Dmitry explained.
It could be that Amur saw something in Timur that was special. Or maybe Amur just wanted to get to know him better. It's tough to figure out why these things happen, but it's very magical when they do. By documenting the experience, professionals may get a better idea on what animals think when making choices like these.
While Morris and Champy aren't in a predator versus prey scenario, it's still odd to see a cat and a horse hanging out. And that's what makes that bond extra special. Typically, they could have just avoided each other and lived their own lives. But they saw something special in each other and changed the course.
It's also a good reminder that even animal relationships can change and surprise you. Even dogs and cats are starting to form better bonds than they did decades ago. Better Pets and Gardens believes it really depends on their individual personalities, as well as how early they became socialized. "Sometimes a cat and a dog will become instant friends, often they will develop a tolerance of each other over many years and occasionally they can’t even be in the same room together," the site writes. "Just like with kids, sometimes a little bit of coaxing and a touch of manipulation is all that is needed to help them make friends."
Morris and Champy didn't need those steps. But they're proof that unlikely bonds are always possible. You never know how one pet may react when you bring another home, but it's a glorious feeling for all pet owners when they realize their animals are looking out for one another.
