The Bush

The Beauty of our Bella (The Eye of the Beholder)

Something pretty special arrived here at Granite Glen this week. No, I am not referring to the calendars, which have mostly gone off in a cloud of dust to all sorts of amazing places. (More on that in a later post).
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Something was delivered here in the last couple of days that is just so beautiful, I cannot even begin to share the blinding glory of it. Well, I could, I suppose. But there are some things that the camera struggles to fully capture and translate – some kinds of beauty that supercede mere pixels and hues. I know I won’t even go close to being able to show this particular being in its honest embodiment of the divine.
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But I guess I should try
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Are you ready?
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You may need sunglasses.
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And please put down any hot beverages you may be likely to spit.
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I am warning you – this particular femme fatale is unlike
ANYTHING you have ever experienced.
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Meet… Bella.
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Bella is a cow.
Not one of our sleek black beauties busily breeding beef babies out in the paddock, though…
She is a dairy cow.poddy_0267
She is a dairy cow with one eye.
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She is a dairy cow with one eye and a HUGE bag of milk.

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A dairy cow with one eye, a huge bag of milk, and the kindest sweetest gentlest nature EVER.
I pretty much kiss this cow every time I check on her.
Her and her newest admirer.

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The poddy.
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This little guy who has struggled with his grip on life ever since his Mama died soon after he was born.

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The dude who REFUSED to suck a bottle and gave me backache and heartache as I force-fed formula to him three times a day. Who leaned against me as he submitted to my efforts to keep him alive before flopping his head down dejectedly after each feeding effort… making me feel very much like doing the same!

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Well, this same little rascal decided that maybe
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just maybe,

a teat
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a real one…
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might be…
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something he could
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maybe

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get into.

(See that tail flick? That’s a barometer of milk flow and belly happiness.)

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Let me tell you,
The Poddy thinks Bella is the most divine thing ever placed on this earth.
And he has the swollen belly and contented naps to testify his devotion.

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And one eye missing or not…
I have to agree with him.
I can trust her with the Poddy and with his Little Handlers.poddy_0283

Her one eye radiates her beauty –

it is so gentle and kind and sweet and giving.

I just heart this cow.

Can you see the tiniest little glimpse of the beauty I am talking about?

Or do I sound like a raving loony?
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And while you are mulling that one over,

What’s the most beautiful thing YOU have seen today?

24 Comments

  • A Novel Woman

    Ah, that is such a sweet story. I love the Bella! Hurray for the poddy!

    The most beautiful thing I've seen so far today? Hmm. That would be the big pot of coffee my husband made and had waiting for me when I woke up about 30 minutes ago.

  • Cactus Jack Splash

    Wonderful story.
    The most beautiful thing I have seen today is my 46 year old horse trotting over to the fence to get his morning mush.

  • Leenie

    We had a big tan dairy cow just like your Bella. We named her Beauty. She was also sweet of nature. I am so glad to see your little guy doing so well with his new mum.

  • Debby

    Oh that is beautiful! It made me teary. I am so glad for the little calf, and for Bella too. Will you milk her to have milk for your house? And cottage cheese, and yoghurt, whipped cream, etc? You have your beef (and that calf becomes an all beef poddy, btw). A milk cow seems like a good addition. And they are easy to milk.

    The most beautiful thing I've seen today? My children. Truly. As goofy as that sounds, my children. They are lovely.

  • Mom L

    Your Bella's generosity is the most beautiful thing I've seen today, since I'm not up in the hills with my absolutely beautiful new grandson!

    Nancy in Iowa

  • Anonymous

    Today so far, Bella is the coolest thing I've seen. And a grand sight it is to see her on the job. Be watchful she may have more milk than one wee charger needs. – Bill

  • jeanie

    You made me tear up!! She is definitely most beautiful.

    As it is relatively early here, there are only a few things I can chose from – although 'Salina playing with a makeup kit she got for her birthday and creating bruises and eye circles reminds me she is still my little girl and not some horrible tween – that makes me smile.

  • Elizabeth from the Gold Coast

    Oh BB you've got me feeling the love….Beautiful Bella, what a Babe!!!
    Back in our farming days we also had a (very Big) beautiful dairy cow called Bella, she was a Friesian with a beautiful nature, she too at times adopted the odd motherless poddy….

    Most beautiful thing I have seen today? …. Well, apart from your story and a little glimpse of Violet I would have to say the most beautiful thing(s) I have seen today are two of my gorgeous Grandchildren on my doorstep at 5.30 am…My four year old Granddaughter ready to help Nanny decorate the Christmas tree and her two year old Brother ready to wreak havoc on the household.

  • traceelements

    Awwww! (I say that a lot when i come round here…) Love a feel good story like that, comlete with pictures of course. I haven't been up that long, so that's definitely the most gorgeous thing I've seen so far today (apart from my two younger children of course – and don't panic, not playing favourites – the teenager hasn't emerged yet!)

    You have neglected to tell us how it is she only has one eye!!! And how you came to get her!

  • Gem

    BB she is gorgeous. I love her. You are good stock for taking her on for the poddy. Will you keep her? How did she lose her eye?
    The most beautiful thing I have seen today apart from two gorgeous wombat babies and a teeny tiny ringtail possum – rain – it is filling our tank as we speak – or as I type!
    Cheers

  • The Accidental Housewife

    Awww, now you've got me all emotional!

    The most beautiful thing I've seen today is my baby bopping along to 'six white boomers' at the Chrissie carols. She was having a great time!

  • Anonymous

    we humans can learn a thing or two from Bella !! the best thing I have seen this morning is my coffee 🙂
    signed
    Theresa in ALberta

  • Elsewhere

    Can you please give Bella a kiss from me? All the way from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. And promise me, you'll keep her when her fostering duties are over. Or else, send her over to me…

  • Susan

    Cows are awesome. We raise beef cattle, but also have two Brown Swiss, Eva, and her daughter Emmy Lou. We love them all, along with all our other furry and feathered family members.

  • Woman in a Window

    Just a little loony, you, but all the more beautiful for it.

    Today, beautiful? First snow. Thick under foot and crunch, it grew my soles, and then when my children ganged up on me, it pelted my arse. Ah, first snow.

    xo
    erin

  • Pony Girl

    What a neat post! Bella is beautiful. I'm so glad the little poddy found a happy meal!
    The most beautiful thing I saw today was my horse. His gentle brown eyes and pricked ears when he saw me bring his bucket of apples, and the way he let me rest my head on his and hug him!

  • Kate

    Nope you are very right. She is beautiful! What a sweet looking girl. And i'm so glad the poddy calf found a new mama. I think it's amazing when animals adopt other animals. What a lovely girl 🙂

  • Pencil Writer

    Bless Bella and all the other wonderful, gentle creatures on this earth! So many things remind us to be thankful–not just now–but always. Great story, pictures and love the love!

  • rhubarbwhine

    I have had this post marked for ages, as one to come back to. I have to tell you this is my favourite bush babe post EVER.

    For ever and ever and ever.

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