The point of this episode was that it was referencing how a kid would deal with the death of a pet. I'm not sure that death even exists in Equestria because I don't think they'll ever kill off any characters, but Tank's hibernation was an allegory for a pet dying and Rainbow Dash's irrational behavior is essentially the 5 stages of acceptance. Denial (he's not a bear, he doesn't hibernate!) Anger (I AM NOT UPSET, I'M FINE! DON'T SAY THAT WORD!) Bargaining (I'll just stop winter from coming ((btw, she made a Grinch face when she said that, just like when he decided to stop Christmas)) then you won't have to hibernate!) Depression ("Rainbow Dash, Tank is going to hibernate" WAAAH!!!) Oh, and as a side note, RD's dialogue in this scene is almost line for line what I said to my dog Max the day we had to take him to the vet to be put down, it was VERY powerful to me on a personal level. and finally acceptance (Goodbye Tank, see you in the Spring.) At least she'll get him back, but the allegory is still intact. The reference was pretty subtle, especially since the consequences are different, but having gone through the loss of a pet myself I was able to get what they were going for.