Dandy, a sturdy Shetland pony, arrived at Three Daughters Farm at the wizened age of 25. His coat was weathered, but his spirit stood strong. Etta came the next year as a small calf. She faced the world with wide eyes and a quiet nature.

Their meeting was unplanned. At first, Dandy wanted nothing to do with his new pasture mate. Until one day, they became companions without fuss.

Photo: Matthew Russell

Dandy and Etta share their hay side by side in serene harmony. 

Two years on, it all feels natural. They have found comfort in each other’s company. Dandy has learned Etta’s rhythms as she’s grown, and she took cues from his calm ways.

@farmer.matthew5 Morning with Etta and Dandy. #cows #ponies #Dandy #Etta #shetlandponies #Farm #farmlife #farmanimals #animalvideos #cuteanimals #fyp #foryoupage #foryoup ♬ Little Sparrow - Paul Alan Morris

Everyday Life on the Farm

Dandy occupies a special place at Three Daughters Farm. He strolls around the pasture with a steady gait. Etta stays near. She grew fast and now stands twice Dandy’s size. She towers over him, yet she moves with gentle steps.

In the mornings, noon and evening feeding times, they eat hay side by side. They pause now and then to look around. Quiet hooves and soft snorts fill the air, and peace follows.

They act like old friends. If someone leads Etta away, Dandy neighs in protest. He refuses to settle until she returns to his view. This harmony between them rises above their size difference.

@farmer.matthew5 Foggy morning with Dandy. #pony #shetlandpony #poniesoftiktok #shetlandponies #Dandy #animals #farmanimals #animalvideos #farm #farmlife #fyp #foryou #fypage #fog #sunrise #weather #michigan ♬ Take The Long Way Home - Supertramp

A Bond Through the Seasons

Summer days bring warm light and slow afternoons. Etta will find a shady corner, lower herself to the ground and closes her eyes, an immovable mountain of fuzzy white and roan hair. Dandy stands a short distance away. He flicks his tail at flies and keeps watch. The farm’s routine unfolds around them, yet they remain focused on each other.

Winter arrived this year in a flurry of snow and quiet. It’s a welcome comfort to hear Dandy’s crunch across icy paths to reach Etta, who waits by the fence for food. They share fresh hay and create soft, contented sounds. The cold air feels less harsh when they stay close.

@farmer.matthew5 Colorful clouds out in West Michigan. #cows #cowsoftiktok #Etta #EttaCow #pony #ponies #shetlandpony #shetlandponytiktok #DandyBoy #animals #farmanimals #animalvideos #farm #farmlife #fyp #foryou #fypage #clouds #sunset #country #Michigan ♬ I'll Fly Away (Acetate Version 204) [2019 - Remaster] - Hank Williams

Hope for Many More Years

Their devotion seems to deepen as time goes by. Dandy shows no sign of slowing down. Etta continues to grow, yet she keeps a gentle nature. Their routines involve simple acts: a quiet walk, a shared hay pile, and a calm moment under the sun. These scenes define the spirit of Three Daughters Farm.

Visitors often ask how this friendship began. The answer is simple. Two animals met and cared for each other. They found a bond that endures through seasons and changes. A story of kindness and acceptance.

These animals remind us that love appears in surprising shapes and sizes. As days pass in a comfortable rhythm, work on the farm continues, guided by the steady presence of these two loyal friends.