Mule Credited With Saving Woman From Fire

McMINNVILLE, Tenn. — Jolene Solomon is beginning the new year with her life, her mule named Lou and little else. The Southern Standard in McMinnville reported Solomon had just finished eating supper on New Year's Day when Lou's braying and acting up got her attention.

Solomon, 63, who lived alone, stepped outside, she saw her house was on fire. She called 911 and as she waited for firefighters, her home and everything in it burned to the ground.

She said her father bought Lou years ago to help her and her late sister, Blue, around the farm. It took Lou months to get over the loss of her sister.

Solomon said she has 'lost it all', but credits Lou with saving her life.

Jolene is staying with family members and plans to rebuild her home. The home was built by her grandfather and she had lived there all her life.

___

Information from: Southern Standard, http://www.southernstandard.net

Comments

[katiedex]

Thanks to guerline04 I contacted the Tennessee SPCA, who just wrote me back and said the sherrif's dept is working on this case right now to rescue Lou. Thanks again guerline04. Hang in there Lou- help is coming.

[dmoser2584]

Ok, this mule looks like he has never ate good. Too skinny! I owned a Quarter Horse that kind of looked like him. This animal is under nurished and needs an owner that can feed him the amount of food he needs. This animal looks like he is starving.

[Idablu]

Lou needs food.

[guerline04]

What are going to do? All I see here is all talk and no action. Lets contact HSUS, and the SPCA. I posted on HSUS Tennessee"s facebook and wrote to SPCA Tennessee.

Here is the site for SPCA Tennessee. You can contact them and alert them.

http://www.spcatn.org/index1.html

[katiedex]

Thank you!

[remichex]

"I shouldn't speculate I know, but ......"

But is right!.... There are SO many people who think that mules, horses, etc. are just big ole' lab pups and treat them as such which not only gets the owner in a dangerous situation but also places the horse in a dangerous situation (i.e.: spoiled horse bites a child, bucks off the nervous owner, etc).
For your information, this mule may be up in years (20+ or more) and at that age there are many contributing factors that may not allow weight to be maintained even though the animal is happy, healthy, etc (ever see an elderly person that you just can't get to eat the right diet?). Renal insufficiency plus tons of endocrine or other metabolic disorders may be causing this "skinny " mule but it sure doesn't mean he's mistreated.
Worry about your labradoodle or rat terrier and sleep tonight without placing the equine industry in your dreams of making them a "companion" animal.

[katiedex]

"Worry about your labradoodle or rat terrier and sleep tonight without placing the equine industry in your dreams of making them a "companion" animal."

Huh? Who said anything about making mules companion animals? Surely you aren't saying that only companion animals deserve to be properly fed. Medical conditions such as renal insufficiency can be treated, can't they?
http://www.care2.com/news/member/363754298/986023
Apparently starving equine is a big problem in Lou's neighborhood, making the odds higher that Lou is NOT properly cared for. As someone who is apparently in the equine industry, does this concern you, or do you write it all off as renal insufficiency in well cared for animals?

[jerrypl]

And, animals don't have intelligence, thinking skills, understanding, feelings? It is time that this nation wakes up to this fact and begins to treat animals with respect, even those targeted for slaughter. A humane nation heals itself.

http://eye-on-washington.blogspot.com

[katiedex]

I'm appalled at the obviously poor condition of this animal! I'm terribly sorry that this woman lost her home, but she has no right to own an animal that she does not properly feed! The authorities should immediately remove him from these conditions. I hope that the end result of the mule saving the woman from the fire is that he also saves himself from the misery of hunger when people see his plight. I shouldn't speculate I know, but somehow I picture the owner as very well fed herself. Seeing a starved animal infuriates me and makes it hard to sympathize with the owner, no matter what her situation.

[TruthAndTheory]

Great story!

But why is that mule so SKINNY!
poor thing needs more food. Its ribs are showing, and its face is way too narrow.

[RockySoldier]

the mule was making noise because the fire scared it. it wasn't some innate personality trait that inspired it to 'save the woman'. animals are great and should be treated well, but when we personify their traits, we diminish their majesty as animals and make ourselves look stupid.

[c1ee]

i agree with you

[jingles32]

Depsite the mule's personal motivation, the fact remains that Lou did save her life.

[Pennsanic]

So she should reciprocate by buying him some friggin' groceries.

[RTIII]

While your proposal is certainly possible, you don't know that's the case - you weren't there, and such events where it's clear the animal wasn't acting out of fear HAVE been documented. It's people like you who always reject the intelligence of animals - and how we are similar to them and they us - that has kept humans divided from, and therefore exceptionally destructive of, the "animal kingdom."
.

[markusmarkus]

Instead of bitchin and moanin, let's all do something positive - contribute to this woman's and her mule's welfare. My search of Jolene Solomon in McMinnville, TN, cam up with zilch. Perhaps someone here can do better and post her address.

[ribbid]

Took you advice, tried to look her up in Minnville tn, but instead of finding her found this!!!! OMG. Poor Lou. http://www.care2.com/news/member/363754298/986023

[katiedex]

I would not contribute a dime to someone who does not properly take care of her animal. She doesn't deserve to have him, he should be immediately rescued from her- she is starving him!

[RTIII]

Try contacting "The Standard" - the newspaper cited in the article.
.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

That mule's no ass.

[shengirl]

no, it's half-ass...

[ribbid]

The real story here is that Lou, horribly malnourished, requires intervention from HSUS/ASPCA ; raised and fully exposed spine, exposed ribs, no muscle/flesh whatever on neck or shoulders, depressions above eye sockets deeply sunken. Lou is being starved by Soloman. Deeply distrubing to see this animal in this condition.

[TheImpaler]

That's what I was thinking too! Lou's braying and acting up was likely do to hunger.

[exPatPatti]

That poor animal looks starved and wormy. Hopefully some kind hearted soul will save him.

[EvasDaddy]

Amazing diagnosis, from one crummy pic.

[TheImpaler]

How many "crummy pics" do you need? Are you blind or stupid?

[Cheesemelt]

Finally, Ann Coulter does something positive for humanity.

[JZ735]

Leave it to the hate mongers at Huffpo to drag Ann into the fray, or is it bray?
I cannot stand her as much as many of you, but what relevance does this have to this POSITIVE story?

[Cheesemelt]

Evidently there is no humor impaired filter here.

Pity that.

[MajorKong]

Yeah, what did that poor mule ever do to be lumped in with the likes of Coulter?

[1differentdrummer]

Buy the mule some hay.

[lovethesinner]

Another Democrat, just doin' his job. (way to hang, Lou!)

[shengirl]

there's a difference between mules and donkeys, look it up.