When I went over to take care of BP last night (by myself), she had company. And not the special kind. (Haven’t seen the bull with her since that one day.)
I have to admit that I’m afraid of large animals. Of any kind. Any animal that is way bigger than me. I get along with large animals I know, like BP and Glory Bee, but not other large animals. Strangers.
And here the paddock was teeming with Big Cows That I Don’t Know.
Especially this scary Halloween-face one.
How will I get to BP? What will I do? Where will I go? WAIL. (!)
There were all kinds of bunches of them!
Or, you know, at least six!
They all looked different. Like a cow freak show!
And most of ’em had horns! But they were all girls. So I said, Suzanne, you’ve got to run ’em out of there.
So I climbed in there and said, “Git,” real nice-like.
Then I started clapping my hands and screaming and they ran outta there!
And boy did I feel like a farmer.
Except for the screaming part.
And then I found BP.
I got her in the paddock and shut the gate so nobody could get at her food. And when I let her back out of the paddock, I could only hope the other girls weren’t mean to her for being “the special girl” with “the special food” who thinks she’s a princess or something.
We’re bringing her home this weekend!
whaledancer says:
Ya done good. You really realize how big cows are when you have to stand in the middle of a bunch of them. Especially strange ones. But I hope it doesn’t get back to Skip that you said his cows look like a cow freak show; you wouldn’t want to offend him. :moo:
On June 18, 2011 at 2:16 am
Sheila Z says:
Cows are easy to deal with. Bulls not so much. I’d never go in a pen with a bull without a good dog and a shock prod. Most often a bull will be fine, then every once in a while without warning a bull will turn on you. Testosterone poisoning of the brain I guess. Anyway, I’d never trust a bull. Cows are completely trustworthy and I have no fear of a cow or a whole herd of cows. I grew up around Holsteins and they are huge. Kids were sent to get the cows for milking when we was as young as 4 or 5 years old and no adult even worried about us getting hurt. Cows, at least any I’ve ever been around are easy going and will turn and walk the other way if you wave a stick at them or even your arms. The only time you might have a worry about a cow is when they have a calf and you have a dog with you. Never get between a dog and a cow with a newborn calf. The cow just might trample you on it’s way to try and kill the dog.
My grandfather kept one or two bulls and those we were never allowed to go near. Even my grandfather wouldn’t go into a field alone with a bull. He would take a cow dog and have at least one other adult with him to go anywhere near the bulls. I’ve know of several farmers that were severely injured and one neighbor was killed by a bull. In all of these cases they were moving a bull alone and the animal turned on them and either gored or crushed them. When I had cows I always used A.I. because I didn’t want to risk having a bull around my kids.
On June 18, 2011 at 3:26 am
brookdale says:
Good for you, Suzanne! That’s the way to do it! (Except for the screaming)
My sister and I, at an early age, used to go get the cows in the evening, way up in the field and across the road. They were so anxious to get to the barn and be milked that they would go right along in a line all the way home. We didn’t hardly ever even have to touch them with our sticks. And NEVER make them run, that would make them not give the milk (or so we were told). Fun times!
On June 18, 2011 at 7:14 am
judydee says:
Hey, if the screaming works, it’s okay by me! Good job!
On June 18, 2011 at 7:52 am
Granny Trace says:
:dancingmonster: Yep I would have been scared too. I love animals but that was lots.
Granny Trace
http://www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com
On June 18, 2011 at 8:00 am
STracer says:
Good Job Suzanne! Cows are really pretty calm if they are used to people though. Those cows listened to you pretty well. They just need a reason to move and a Krazy Person can be scary to them too. 🙂 Just keep talking to them so they know where you are. Bulls can be a problem like Sheila Z. said, but around here if they can’t be nice they take a ride. Either to the market or the freezer. Can’t wait to see the new baby. I love baby calves.
On June 18, 2011 at 8:12 am
TinaBell says:
You are a HOOT, Suzanne McMinn! Scary halloween-faced cows, a cow freak show! You are just too much! Sounds like you did just fine, though, and I hope the other girls weren’t mean to Beaulah Petunia either. Glad she gets to come home this weekend.
On June 18, 2011 at 8:18 am
prayingpup says:
I think you did it the right way – it sounds perfect! Glad BP is coming home – I would hate to deal with more than one cow at a time.
On June 18, 2011 at 8:55 am
Flowerpower says:
BP is a special cow….and getting to come back home! yaaa!! I would say if the bull is not interested any more its time to go home too!
I dont do large animals together..in a pen! You did good! :happyflower:
On June 18, 2011 at 9:34 am
holstein woman says:
I’m glad you did the right thing, who wants to be scared. Congratulations smart woman!
On June 18, 2011 at 10:01 am
JeannieL says:
I just love that you still took pictures while facing your fears… BP was probably just as scared as you and that she didn’t run off with them says volumes about her love for you.
You are a rare woman. I hope BP is done and ready to go home for your sake. We don’t need you dealing with Post Traumatic Cow Disorder.
On June 18, 2011 at 11:44 am
Debbie @ Swampbilly Ranch says:
I’m sure BP will stick up for you when the other cows start talking about you around the water tank. They will ask her,”BP how can you live with that crazy woman? Did you see her screaming and flailing her arms?” I’m sure she will tell them that normally you are really quite sane. And you have cookies.
On June 18, 2011 at 5:34 pm
lavenderblue says:
You are much, much braver than I. I think I would have gone and gotten the menfolk.
On June 18, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Journey11 says:
Whew boy, I woulda been scared too! That one cow was definitely giving you the stink eye. Funny!
On June 19, 2011 at 2:29 am