Dogs have an incredible ability to befriend any creature, influencing the behavior of other animals around them. Often, animals raised with dogs start to mimic their traits.
Take the story of a Tennessee woman who adopted a baby goat. When her dog, Eden, met the little goat named Elsa, an unexpected bond began to form.
A Beautiful Friendship
Initially, Taylor was apprehensive about their relationship, knowing Eden was a strong dog with the potential to unintentionally hurt Elsa. However, she soon discovered that Eden was gentle and cautious, quickly forming a close friendship with the goat. Taylor shared with Cuddle Buddies, “Eden never clicked with anyone. She just wanted her own space, but that was not the case with Elsa.”
The two quickly became inseparable, enjoying activities like running around and napping together. Eden’s nurturing nature influenced Elsa, who started to behave more like a dog, even learning to walk on a leash. Taylor often took both pets and other dogs hiking in Tennessee, making for delightful adventures.
A New Journey For Elsa
While Taylor cherished the bond between Eden and Elsa, she recognized that Elsa also needed to interact with other goats. Gradually, they introduced her to the rest of the goat herd, allowing her to adapt at her own pace. Taylor explained, “So, we slowly took Elsa from being inside 24/7 with Eden to slowly going out.” Despite this adjustment, Eden and Elsa remained companions, always walking together.
However, tragedy struck when the family learned that Eden had a tumor and was not going to survive. Eden crossed the rainbow bridge shortly after, leaving everyone heartbroken. Elsa didn’t understand her friend’s absence, leading her to lose interest in walks.
To support Elsa during this tough time, Taylor ensured she spent quality moments with other goats, which helped her adapt positively. Elsa became increasingly social, retaining some dog-like behaviors, and her place in the family remained cherished. As Taylor stated, “Now with Eden being gone, she just holds a special place in our heart.”
