Today my faith in my fellow humans has been restored. On the way to the vet, we spotted a frightened little paint pony racing toward the highway. Haltered with lead rope dragging. We stopped to keep him off the highway and he was intent on staying in the gravel next to the road. Definitely exhausted and he was beyond fear into flight mode. Made me cry.
Then the magic started. At least 20 vehicles escorted that pony through both lanes while he ran. People made phone calls to people they knew in the area, talked with the sheriff's department and just made sure that little pony was as safe as possible. Round 3 miles later, he did take a turn on a road that led him off the highway. There were several times he ALMOST went to people who were out of their cars calling to him. He was just too scared.
A younger girl was following him on foot through the cornfields full of snow. She followed him to keep him in sight through cornfields and snow sometimes over a foot deep. She was amazing and dedicated to keeping that little pony safe.
Once he turned that corner, people followed him and we departed for the vet. I want to thank any of you who helped that pony. You are good for my soul.
(PS- an extra thank you to the fellow who helped me get out of the snowdrift on the side of the road- I walked too far and down I went! I am always to be relied on for some comic relief in a pinch!)