We all need those uplifting little happy stories in life to keep us going. Being around critters is generally a sure fire way to find these little stories that warm the heart and are worth sharing with others.
In May of 2009 one of our favorite 3 year old cows was closing in on having her first calf, we anxiously awaited certain that it would be a good one! The day came and poor little 61 had a backward calf that we were unable to save. She was such a good little cow through all of it, putting her in and pulling the calf she never got upset or high headed about any of it. We felt horrible that she wouldn't be able to raise a calf because she had really been following the other cow's calves around the closer she got to calving and "momma talking" them.
We decided to call one of our neighbors that runs a bunch of commericial herefords, than we got introduced to Fred. Fred was a twin who's mom had accepted his other twin and not poor little Fred, he was a few weeks old and pretty well versed in bum calf bottle sucking. We brought him home and decided we would give grafting him onto 61 a shot. The initial introduction went much better than expected and within a week or so of patience and perserverance on our's, Fred's, and 61's part the pair of them were able to be turned out with the other cow calf pairs.
In the pictures at the right Fred is about 4 1/2 months old and already nearly as big as his mom. She loves him just the same and secretely I think she is proud of him for being the biggest calf in the bunch! Fred thinks he's got the greatest momma in the whole world and some of the quickest shortest little calf play mates ever. It's quite a site to see big old Fred coming loping across the pasture in a herd of Mini-moo calves. Fred's whole story just makes me smile everytime I think of the big lanky commercial calf that has found a mom in our bunch, love doesn't know boundaries and acceptance is easily achieved with an open mind!
you can view large images by clicking on the pictures
