From TODAY correspondent Jill Rappaport
I thought I had seen it all, until I saw Grace! This 3-year-old mule who is part quarter horse can do things that will make your jaw drop. And an if you are an animal lover like me, you will absolutely fall in love with her.
I heard about Grace from Oscar winner Robert Duvall who just finished making a movie with her. That's right -- she will soon be on the big screen in an upcoming film called "Get Low." He raved about Grace, saying she is the "smartest mule in America," so I went to the heart of the Shenandoah Valley to check out this amazing gal for myself, and I can tell you now, I was blown away!
Upon meeting her, Grace gave me a kiss, a hug, then put out a leg (that's her version of a handshake!). Amazing, huh? But wait, there's more: She then showed me she can play basketball, get the mail, ring a dinner bell, and she even paints! In fact, one of her masterpieces sold for $1,000 for charity. Of course she did a painting for us, and my producer Vivian Fel just shook her head in disbelief. Even Robert Duvall -- who stopped by to do an interview about her -- was still in amazement.
But aside from her her immense talent, she is the most loving, affectionate animal, and her owner/trainer Steve Foster is responsible for that. She is definitely part of the family -- as I found out at the end of the day -- when she served us all cold drinks at the bar! YES, the bar inside their home! I told you this Grace is truly AMAZING ...