Do you know the Earthbound series? Basically, chosen children (in the RPG) are met by a talking version of their favorite animal, and are sent on a mission to save the world from evil. My character, Tekina, is from a fan-made area called Kaishi Village, is the daughter of the village leaders, and is the protecter and miko of the sacred jewel Densetsu. She carries a harp named Ongaku, and her favorite animal is a horse, more specifically her chosen animal named Uma. The evil has taken many loved ones, including Tekina's sister Shurui.
Earthbound is similier, except they aren't found by their favorite animals. There is also Earthbound Zero/Mother 1, the prequal to the main game, and the sequal Earthbound 2/Mother 3.