Life in the City: A Month-Old Pony Brings Joy to Croatian Apartment Residents

ROVINJ, Croatia - In a heartwarming display of community and compassion, a month-old pony named Mile has taken up temporary residence in a family's fourth-floor apartment in the northern Croatian coastal town of Rovinj.

Mile's story began when his mother rejected him at birth, and he required life-saving surgery in neighboring Slovenia, where kind-hearted donors raised funds to cover his costly treatment.

Currently weighing just 16 kilograms (35 pounds), Mile is still heavily reliant on round-the-clock care, with owner Andjelka Josipovic feeding him every two hours and ensuring he remains warm and content.

'If we forget to feed him, he wakes up, comes to us and rouses us up,' Josipovic explained, detailing the pony's unique ability to demand attention whenever he needs it.

The Josipovic family, comprised of Andjelka, her partner Kristijan Jelenic, and two sons, has welcomed Mile into their home, along with their dog. The family runs a small ranch and playroom for children in Bale, where Mile spends his days among other animals before returning to Rovinj each evening.

Despite the unusual arrangement, Mile has quickly become a beloved fixture in the neighborhood, with no complaints from the surrounding residents.

'Every two hours, we warm up his milk and feed him,' Josipovic said, beaming with pride as she shared updates on Mile's progress. 'If we forget to feed him, he wakes up, comes to us and rouses us up.'

The family is hopeful that Mile will make a full recovery, noting significant improvement since his ordeal, as evident from his robust appetite and regained weight.