Molly the Golden Retriever is an empathetic pup who loves all creatures big and small.
She lives on a farm with her mom Darlene Kindle, who’s the founder of Carolina Equine Rescue and Assistance (CERA). This rescue takes in sick, abandoned horses and nurses them back to health. Molly often stays by Darlene’s side, and she helps care for the sick horses.
In early August 2018, Darlene took in an emaciated miniature silver dapple horse named Sammie.
Animal Control found Sammie wandering around the streets in South Carolina on his own. The poor horse was exhausted and starving—the veterinarian who checked him out said he was 100 pounds underweight. It was going to take a lot of time and money to get Sammie better. Animal Control weren’t sure if they could help him.
The vet suggested bringing the horse to Darlene’s rescue. She called up Darlene and told her about the poor horse. Darlene asked if Sammie had a will to live in his eyes, and the vet said yes. Darlene immediately said she would take him in.
When Sammie arrived at CERA, Darlene washed and fed him. Despite everything he had been through, the horse was calm and friendly.
Once Sammie had settled in, Darlene introduced him to Molly.
Molly was excited to meet the new addition to her family. Darlene wasn’t sure how Sammie would react to Molly, but to her delight, he seemed happy to meet her too.
A few days after Sammie arrived, Molly went over to his stall and comforted him. Darlene took a video of the sweet encounter and put it on Facebook. To her surprise, it went viral, receiving over 500,000 views.
“I have to tell all of you never in a million years did I expect this little video to have so much popularity,” Darlene wrote on Facebook. “Molly truly has an exceptional sense of knowing when one of the animals doesn’t feel good or sad. So she very gently introduces herself. This is her job and she is very good at it as you can see.”
Hey everyone. I have to tell all of you never in a million years did I expect this little video to have so much popularity. I just put it out there with no caption so let me add a little background to this. This is Molly my 3 year old golden retriever who was a gift from my dad. She is my second golden and I just love their personalities. Always happy and Molly is your typical Walmart greater. She loves everyone including all the animals we have on the farm. She especially loves the minis she can reach them much easier. Sammy the mini that she is comforting just came into CERA’s program. He is nothing but skin and bones and scared. Molly truly has an exceptional sense of knowing when one of the animals doesn’t feel good or sad. So she very gently introduces herself. This is her job and she is very good at it as you can see. Please follow Sammy’s progress on our Carolina Equine Rescue & Assistance page. Sammy has a long ride of rehab to go and I will keep everyone informed.
Posted by Carolina Equine Rescue & Assistance on Monday, August 6, 2018
Over the next couple of weeks, Sammie started getting stronger and stronger.
The horse ate plenty of hay and started gaining weight. Darlene also took him to a vet who helped the horse with his dental problems and issues he was having with his hind leg.
“Sam continues to improve everyday. His personality is still a love bug. His appetite is great he continues to drink plenty of water. Molly has taught Sam her Walmart greeter techniques. Every time someone walks in the barn he gives them the cutest whinny,” Darlene wrote on Facebook.
As Sammie worked on getting better, Molly stayed close to his side. She even walked Sammie through a pasture. She let her enthusiasm get the better of her and pulled a little too hard on his lead rope, but Sammie didn’t mind!
Hey everyone. A little update on Sammy and Molly. Only planned on taking Sam out to graze a bit and some exercise walking. Well Molly as you can see wanted the lead rope. Guess I’ll need to teach her not to pull him. She did good for her first time. I can only post one video at a time so here’s the first post.
Posted by Carolina Equine Rescue & Assistance on Monday, August 13, 2018
Sammie still has a ways to go until he’s fully recovered, but he has already made great strides. With Molly’s help, Sammie should be feeling better in no time at all. We’re so glad these two animals found each other!
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