Who needs a beautician ? One quick visit into the cattle stall and we are treated to a sticky deep cleansing wash and a painstakingly thorough skin exfoliation all courtesy of not so little anymore (but ever so cute) Jersey cross steer Goliath. Goliath, Holstein calves Samson and his twin sister Delilah have all become a contentious and increasingly controversial subject around here…..the three are being raised with sirloin, T-bone and hamburger in mind but not one of us took into account that our meat packs on legs would very quickly melt our hearts. One whistle down Cow Lane as the evening sun is setting and one minky coloured Jersey cross and two little black and white calves appear from the tall grass and the waving buttercups. Pausing only for a tickle under the chin or a back scratch and ignoring Bran the irritatingly enthusiastic Border Collie, the three musketeers casually make their way to the feed station where they bury their noses in a communal feed bucket before quietly settling down to chew their cud and reflect on the days events. With Goliath’s gentle head buried in my lap and two Holsteins breathing down my neck I feel a strong (even irresistible) urge to consider turning vegetarian !!!
Misty the adorable three month old Jersey calf has been with us now for just over a week and has already become a firm farm favourite. Each morning she meets the truck at the farm gate, happy to greet “her people” for the start of a new day. Her dewy nose searches for the bottle which she inhales within seconds and her raspy tongue investigates the body, ( ANY body) which is, at least for that brief moment,her “momma”. Misty is turning into a people cow, visitors aren’t permitted to pass the pasture fence without an inquisitive Misty checking out their credentials and posing, doey eyed and dewy nose for the cameras.
Lady also had the full beauty make over yesterday. With a hot sun high in the evening sky, lady was hosed down, with shampoo bubbles, frothing lather, conditioner and water everywhere, Lady Lump was bathed. I can’t say that she was overwhelmed by the experience, in fact, if the truth were to be told and I was totally honest….the cold water up her tail was in all probability close to last on her equine wish list but the Shire mare, encouraged by the occasional carrot morsel (and knowing it wouldn’t last forever) stood quietly for Carla ( who also had an unwanted shower!!!)
This is possibly my favourite time of the year here in the Pacific North West, The foliage is a brilliant green and the rhododendrons are a myriad of colours all over the State, it’s a wonderful time to be here on the ranch
Time to go, I have a beef pot roast to prepare……Oh no !!!!
Take care, keep safe, M
Misty the adorable three month old Jersey calf has been with us now for just over a week and has already become a firm farm favourite. Each morning she meets the truck at the farm gate, happy to greet “her people” for the start of a new day. Her dewy nose searches for the bottle which she inhales within seconds and her raspy tongue investigates the body, ( ANY body) which is, at least for that brief moment,her “momma”. Misty is turning into a people cow, visitors aren’t permitted to pass the pasture fence without an inquisitive Misty checking out their credentials and posing, doey eyed and dewy nose for the cameras.
Lady also had the full beauty make over yesterday. With a hot sun high in the evening sky, lady was hosed down, with shampoo bubbles, frothing lather, conditioner and water everywhere, Lady Lump was bathed. I can’t say that she was overwhelmed by the experience, in fact, if the truth were to be told and I was totally honest….the cold water up her tail was in all probability close to last on her equine wish list but the Shire mare, encouraged by the occasional carrot morsel (and knowing it wouldn’t last forever) stood quietly for Carla ( who also had an unwanted shower!!!)
This is possibly my favourite time of the year here in the Pacific North West, The foliage is a brilliant green and the rhododendrons are a myriad of colours all over the State, it’s a wonderful time to be here on the ranch
Time to go, I have a beef pot roast to prepare……Oh no !!!!
Take care, keep safe, M
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