Mother of a cow
While everyone else in my household was busy droving a mob of heifers almost 35 kilometres from one paddock to another last weekend, I was being Mother. I was ferrying riders and relocating trucks, preparing food and delivering smoko. Picking up Swiss visitors and providing a running commentary (that they nodded at and didn’t understand about 95% of)… you know: Being Mother!
Anyway, as we were driving along with eskies of food and flasks of hot water and goodies for the hard-working drovers, and as I was waxing lyrical about blue gum trees and such to my European passengers, I spotted Dad carrying a calf on his horse.
Now this is a rare sight here – an orphaned or sick calf in need of help. Dad had spotted this little bull calf, just a day or so old, in the long grass with no sign of a Mama. He seemed thirsty and ‘tucked up’ (where the flanks are drawn in) so Dad decided to intervene. He loaded him onto the horse, in front of the saddle, and bellowed out as he rode along, hoping the mother might simply have ‘parked’ her baby while she grazed or watered. I decided to help out as I watched him ride along behind the mob of heifers, with three very young ringers to also oversee. So I parked and walked to the fence to take custody of the little black bovine.
Of course, it had been only nine days since this happened, so carrying a calf was probably a bit silly. In my defence he wasn’t THAT heavy, and I have to say that as Ferdie filmed me carting the little bull from horse to ute, I just concentrated on not falling on my face. We made it intact, and loaded the little man into the cargo section of the ute.
Yes, I know little man. Not the normal place for little bulls, amongst the tools…
See his umbilical cord? Just a wee lil’ baby…
I admit my heart sank a little as I carefully drove him home to the house. I am not the world’s biggest fan of bottle-feeding poddies. And then, I remembered…
We got somethin’ WAAAAY better than a bottle at our place.
We got this woman:
The Foster Mother of Granite Glen. Do you remember her? Seriously – she is amazing. My heart lifted when I thought her name.
So I carefully unloaded our thirsty cargo… called out to our old dairy retiree, who is anyone’s for a bucket of pellets…
And pointed our little calf in the right general direction…
He hesitated (this is NOT my mother) then, decided he actually quite liked the look of the enormous udder at nose level and threw caution to the wind…
And within seconds, one little black tail was flailing back and forth…
In the time-honoured sign of a steadily-filling belly…
And you will not be surprised to learn that this little bull has NOT let this one-eyed old girl OUT of his sight ever since…
What a woman.
And I know she will not take offence if I say:
She has a heart as big as her udder…
20 Comments
debby
I thought to myself, “Now there’s a eulogy…a heart as big as her udder.” Unless it was MY eulogy. Then it would indicate that my heart was not all that large. Smallish, actually. Not a good thing.
Just one of those things that strikes me as I read your blog.
🙂
I am glad that there is a happier story than the one last spring. Honestly. I don’t ever think I’ll forget that little calf and his single tear. Broke my heart.
debby´s last blog post ..Taking a Break
Bush Babe
I know – updates on the ‘other’ cow soon. 🙂
Amanda
What a great story. Thanks for sharing it.
Amanda´s last blog post ..Dear Darl- it’s October 29 TGIF
sara perkins
What a great foster mom!
CeeCee
Hooray! What a wonderful ending. Works out great for everyone. I’m glad your little cow accepted the calf.
CeeCee´s last blog post ..To Horse- or Not to Horse
Bill
BELLA! I think you are a hero and am glad to see you are doing well.
Leenie
Yay!!!!! Being Mother is the grandest job given to earth. Glad good mothers are still appreciated in Granite Glen because the work is long and usually only rewarded with love. Which is, of course, the best reward.
Leenie´s last blog post ..RAINBOWMAKERS
gramps
Please keep us posted on his recovery.
And—thanks for this story. We need lots of positive stuff these days
Kelly
What a shocker to see that first photo before I’d read through all the commentary!!
I’m so glad this all ended so well. What sweethearts…both Bay Lulic and your little bull calf. Wonderful story!!
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Teri
Thank goodness your Dad spotted him!! He is so drawn up. What a blessing to have such a sweet nurse cow too. I’ve bottle fed several bummer calves for my step grandfather. Tiring work for sure!
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Theresa in Alberta
what doll of a cow!! even with one eye and retired she is earning her keep….um, can you explain to this poor canadian what the translation of ” eskies of food ” is.Thx BB. or better yet, show us a picture. I am better with visuals for learning.
debby
Eskimo coolers. Otherwise known as ice chests.
debby´s last blog post ..Taking a Break
Bush Babe
Yes, Deb’s right. It’s a brand name here that has kind of BECOME the term for the item. They come in all sizes and keep things cool (or warm). Great for paddock meals.
🙂
BB
Pencil Writer
He is such a pretty baby! Nice to have such a lovely nurse cow so handy–and lovely and willing to help a little guy in need! We should all be so good! Thanks for sharing.
jeanie
Awww – how cute – but where is the footage of the carry? Does Ferdie have a blog?
Certainly beats the rubber gloves on the bottle trick.
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debby
Here’s my question, though. What does Bay Lulic mean? I figure bay refers to the color? But what’s Lulic?
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debby
And that one-eyed cow has been a Godsend.
debby´s last blog post ..Haunt
Hippomanic Jen
Beautiful little fella. Glad his tummy will be filled for some time to come. Onya Bay Lulic.
Lydia
Oh, that is just too sweet. Thanks for hauling that little guy to a good food supply — you just warmed my heart.
debby
I remembered, driving home from school today that the injured poddy had his own mama. That’s the story that broke my heart. That little calf with his lone little tear. Don’t show that picture again, okay? It will make me teary.