A new mouth to feed…
If you are a regular here, you will already know Bay Leaf.
The little miracle calf left to us by the wonderous, wonderful, much-missed Bay Lulic.
This is Bay Leaf now…
After an inauspicious start to life, she is one vigorous, healthy bovine.
She owns one seriously active appetite.
Actually, she’s a complete guts-ache. After struggling to get her to drink from a bucket rather than a bottle (she was just drinking way too fast for the teat, and getting seriously frustrated – continuously butting the bottle) we have managed to convince her that the bucket is a proper milk dispenser. But she still chases me around the yard if I have a bottle in hand…
She allows you (or me) NO personal space at ALL if she thinks there is a drink in it.
Honestly – I cannot go near her without wearing gumboots at the least. I am upgrading to steelcap boots in a couple of weeks. (Girlfriend is healthy and shiny and HEAVY!).
Now you may have picked up a hint in the previous couple of sentences of what is about to come next.
Yes, I still carry a bottle to the yards with me.
Because…
This little guy has come to join us… he doesn’t really have a name yet.
The Black Calf.
I tried Horatio but it hasn’t really stuck.*
He is a little bull and he was one of the sickest animals I have ever seen when the boys brought him in. When he was discovered lying in the paddock, there was no sign of a Mum (we suspect he may have been a twin) and he had a bad fever and very dull eyes initially. He has been resident here at the house yards for about ten days – long enough for me to think he might just make it. I admit I wasn’t keen to mention him until I was sure he had a decent chance.
He has had big doses of antibiotic, been wormed and received lots and lots of TLC.
Three times a day we try and tempt him with a milk bottle (after forcibly shutting off Bay Leaf who WANTS THAT BOTTLE). As she slurps downs about 9 litres in a sitting, he sips (with a lot of encouragement and the occasional more foreceful tactic) little over a litre.
Pathetic. But enough to keep him upright.
He likes hay and calf crumbles better (we think he had taken to eating grass in the paddock to survive).
He is also losing all his hair, and as handsome as his little head is, he is pot-bellied and skinny and really quite a sad sight.
However Bay Leaf thinks he is the most wonderful thing ever. (Besides me walking towards her with a bucket of milk).
They adore each other and when I let them into the pool yard for a run, they frolic like nobody’s business.
It’s kinda sweet – the porky redhead and her scrawy, balding black buddy.
So there we go… after worrying that she was lonely, Mother Nature offered us an answer. I am not going to worry about their mental states any more.
If there is one thing I DON’T wish for, it’s any more mouths to feed around here.
🙂
BB
*Calves born in this year will be ‘H’ calves in the brand – so a name starting with H is appropriate. Lachy thought Hamburger might be a winner. I told him not to be so nasty. (But hey, I thought Bay Leaf was funny too, so who am I to point fingers?)
21 Comments
Quincy's Keeper
I remember a bad year when we ended up with 4 leppy calves all at once. Only one was ours but several ranchers heard I was taking care of one so they thought it would be okay to give me theirs too. I can relate to the shots and force feeding and agonizing over how much each one was eating.
Your new little guy is a sad sight right now, but it won’t be long until he pulls it together.
He looks sort of like a Homer. But maybe he could be Harry? Just cause he’s not 🙂
Teri
LOL My first thought was “He’s Homer!”
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Nancy in Iowa
BB, you do seem to be a magnet for strays and orphans!!! I’m sure Bay Leaf will have a lot to do with H’s full recovery!!!
Leenie
Hungry calves are SO friendly!! Love the milk face. hehe! Good luck keeping your toes safe.
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Margie from New York
Well I’m thinking the bayleaf name is very spicey, lol so keeping with that theme you should name him Horseradish. I also thought of Oregano but it doesnt start with “H”.
Kelly
Awwwww, bless his little heart!! (I’m glad you kept him a secret until he showed signs of making it)
I like the Horseradish suggestion. In keeping with the spiciness you could call him Habenero (did I spell that correctly?). Or how about something simple like Hector or Hugo?
Baby Leaf is looking quite sassy these days. 🙂
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debby
Now, I was going to suggest horseradish. But he does so look like a Homer. Really. *goes back to look*
Yep. A Homer to be sure. I once had a cat named Homer, so I know what a Homer looks like, by golly!
debby´s last blog post ..Reporting Live!!!!
debby
Or you could simply call him Herb, if you wanted to keep with the cooking additives.
debby´s last blog post ..Reporting Live!!!!
Cathy
He looks like a Henry to me.
Oopsiemumma
I’m voting for Herb. Can’t wait to meet them both, though I think I’ll bring some sturdy shoes!
Oopsiemumma´s last blog post ..I swear I didn’t do it…but it’s given me an idea.
Fleur McDonald
I was going to suggest Wingnut because of those ears… But that’s not an H one either. Herb is very clever! I hope you’re brings those boots back from Brisvagas next week. 🙂
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Ro
LOL
He’s a Handsome Harry!
Gorgeous, I hope Bay Leaf gets him into the milk-from-the-bucket caper soon, for your sake lol.
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Constance
Higgins. His name should be Higgins. Why? Any Art teacher will tell you that Higgins India Ink is the blackest and the best.
There y’are.
Constance
Rhubarb Whine
Is it OK to call cows gorgeous? He is, you know. Liquorice? (Lickerish!)
debby
Aw. The way you folks shorten everything, he’d become ‘Lick’ in no time at all. And it would still fit.
🙂
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Dayanara
If your articles are always this hpelufl, “I’ll be back.”
Theresa in Alberta
can I come over and play?? It is more fun at your house eh! I think Herb would be a good name.
Kate
Oh, my gosh. What a surprise.
Hagar means forsaken.
Hank means head person.
Homer is promise. But I kinda like . . .
HOUSTON.
I just do.
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JENNY TALIA
HUNKA
Full name….HUNKA HUNKA BURNING LOVE!
Jindivick Wildlife Shelter
oh my god he is gorgeous and this is what popped into my head!
TEA LEAF
Pencil Writer
He is precious! And soulful. His big ears are so cute. I figure he’ll grow into them before long. I like “Higgins” but not for him, for some reason . . . AND as a Southerner, (USA variety) Honey would certainly work. He does really look like a sweet, little Honey, to me!