Animals as Highly Evolved Beings

My daughter Nikki is a Therapeutic Riding Instructor here in Colorado.  She has a friend who is dying from a rare debilitating condition with symptoms similar to Multiple Sclerosis.  Earlier this week, she invited her friend Jim to come to one of her riding sessions.  She wanted to pick a horse suitable for Jim but the only horse available at the time was Cinco, who is prone to sometimes be too fast for some of the debilitated riders. Somewhat apprehensively, she helped Jim mount the horse and it was apparent to her that there was an immediate "connection". Cinco seemed to sense the ability of his rider and responded.  Jim had remarked "Cinco is just like me!"   After the riding session, Jim dismounted and afterward went over to the horse to pet him.  Cinco walked over to Jim and placed his head over Jim's shoulder.  He then put increasingly stronger pressure on Jim's shoulder, bringing Jim closer to him, almost lifting Jim off the ground and held him in this embrace for about 5 minutes.

Below is the amazing picture Nikki took of Jim and Cinco.   This is one of the most touching things I have ever seen.