For my animal-lovin’ friends ..
Jun 28th, 2010 | By mervi | Category: Featured articles28.6.2010 – Posted by Betsy
For my animal-lovin’ friends…get ready to say Awwww! 
Rory and Millie (You Don’t Fool Anyone Pretending To Be A Dog)
Just like his Labrador friends, he wags his tail, Fetches sticks, and rolls on his back to have his tummy tickled. But the hooves and mane give way his real identity – he’s a SHETLAND PONY!
Eight-week old RORY picked up his canine traits after he was befriended by dogs at the Essex Horse and Pony Sanctuary in Pitsea .
Rory was rejected by his mother after he was born. After arriving at the sanctuary he became ill and spent all his time being nursed in the office – attracting the interest of Labradors Alfie and Millie – owned by stable manager Sam Edwards. Rory lay in Sue’s lap with his little hooves sticking out and Alfie would come up and wash them.
When Rory was left with a white moustache after drinking milk, Alfie would clean that too.
Rory fetching a stick.
Rory at play.
Despite all, Rory ended up being closer to Millie because she was nearer his size. Shetland ponies are herd animals by nature, learning by copying other ponies. If they are placed with another animal, they will copy them.
Dear Betsy,
What an extraodinary story – and it’s true! I’ve never heard anything like this. Millie is so cute, a lovely pony. I wish her a good life – as a pony and a dog
Hugs from Mervi
Dear Betsy, thank you so much for this adorable story. And yes, in the end, what is in a name: shetland pony or labrador, the main word is: we are friends. Funny to see Rory playing and fetching, but I really appreciate the human efforts too.
Dear Betsy, thank you so much for this unusual but wonderful story dealing with friedship of a labrador and a cute little (tiny) Shetland Pony. The two seem to be living in one of the paradises on earth. What a heartwarming contribution that is.The pictures are simply marvellous.
Hugs, caren
liebe betsy
eine sehr rührende und auch lustige story
grüsse crissi
“Awwwww!” indeed. Thank you, dear Betsy, for another lovely animal story. Oh, could only everythin in the world run so smoothly for individuals as well as globally seen for the total human and animal and plant “population” with lots of “Awwws” of wellbeing…
Dear Betsy,
I have just read about Rory, and I am totally charmed! How very sweet he is, and how cute that he wants to be held in Sue’s lap! My cousin, Chris, has a horse and a pony at her farm right now, and has also had various other animals there…..but I have never seen a little one like Rory. Chris will also be enchanted with Rory….she loves all animals, always has a dog or two, cats, birds, etc.
Thanks for sending the story and the pictures. MORE! MORE!
Bear Hugs, Retta
I wish I could find more of this story on the internet somewhere. I did see that someone posted a comment under a Daily Mail (or something like that ) where they had a similar situation and the little pony eventually was adopted by an older mare who taught her how to actually be a horse. I wonder how Rory’s life story will unfold…I hope we can find out..