A death in the family

[willowgirl]

My oldest cow, Christine, died suddenly yesterday. She had been fine the day before. Acted normally, ate her dinner. When I went out to feed yesterday, she was gone. It looks like she just keeled over. There were no scuff marks that indicated she'd went down and had been trying to get up. The other cows are fine, albeit rattled by her passing.

Christine had turned 15 in February. I guess it was just her time. She had been culled as a first-lactation heifer and had been with me for 13 years.

Here's one of my favorite photos of her from a couple of years ago:

[shellymay]

Awe sorry you lost your old girl, special ones really leave a hole in your heart....

[here to stay]

What a beautiful girl. Some animals are like old friends. They know you and you know them. To lose one like that leaves a hole.

You have my sympathy for your loss.

[Woodpecker]

Sorry for your loss of Christine, she was a beauty. Prayers coming your way...I know it hurts🙏🏻

[willowgirl]

Thanks everybody.

While we were burying her, Lil and Snowy were watching from up the hill. Snowy was licking the side of Lil's face as if to say, "Sorry about your mom."

[countrymom22]

So sorry for your loss. At least she went quickly. If only they could all be so lucky. Give Lil and Snowy a good scratch from us!

[solargeek]

It is never easy to say goodbye to any type of family pet. She was clearly well loved.

[mzgarden]

Sorry for your loss. It's wonderful that she had 13 special years because you cared.

[rick]

Sad to hear, Willow.

[willowgirl]

Thank you. All of your kindness means so much ...

When I went back out to the farm this afternoon to feed, Lil and Snowy were still hiding out up on the hill, but eventually decided to come down to eat. I had mowed some fresh chop to entice them. They were eating with their noses in the air when I left ... poor girls, I don't know how they'll get along without Christine running the show. She was always the lead cow, the first to try out anything new or go through the fence if it shorted out (lol).

A funny story: years ago, back in Michigan, I used to haul round bales for my girls in an old beater truck. I'd back it a little way into their paddock through a gate and let the girls eat out of the bed as the bales were too heavy to roll off by myself.

Well, during this time frame Christine kept getting out, and I couldn't figure out how she was doing it! The fence wouldn't be grounded out and all of the gates would be latched but I'd find her grazing on the lawn. Finally one day, I happened to glance out a window and just the right time and discovered her trick. When enough of the hay had been eaten, she'd climb up in the bed of the truck, then jump over the side, outside of the fence!

[aoconnor]

What a sad loss for you:-( I'm so sorry Willow, she was a beautiful lady. I love how you love your girls:-)

[willowgirl]

Thanks. Yes, my girls mean the world to me! I don't think Christine's place at the feeder will go unfilled for long, lol. Her passing means another cow gets a shot at retirement.

[countrymom22]

That's a wonderful way to look at a sad situation willowgirl. The new girl can't replace Christine, but you'll love her just as much! Bless you for all you do for these girls!

[grannyg]

Our Hombre is getting up there in years as well....would hate to lose him

[willowgirl]

Aww, he's a handsome old feller! Some impressive horns there.

[tab]

It seems like it is the "naughty" critters that leave the biggest hole in the heart. Yet, there does seem to be room for another one....

[Mari-in-IN]

Sorry I'm a little late in my reply willowgirl...
Do want you to know you have my sincerest condolences as far as losing Christine.  What a pretty gal...  I'm very close to my animals - they are like my kids - I never wanted human ones -  I know - weird.  And it does indeed bite when you lose one - especially when they've been a part of your life for so many years.
I think it's really special how you take these ladies in and give them a forever home.

Our farmer friend was dairy for 40+ years and retired from it 7 years ago.  He had a particular Holstein he kept and she'll be living out the rest of her life as well.  I was over there the other day telling him about what you guys do and of course he thought it was very cool.
Here she is - she's 11...



When she was a heifer she was knocked into an old wooden hay feeder inside the barn.  It was late winter and the manure had gotten high enough for that to happen.  Thank goodness he discovered this not long after it happened due to the fact she was crammed in there and on her back! He ran for the chainsaw and was able to free her unscathed.

Do hope Lil and Snowy are doing well!

[willowgirl]

Thanks Mari! That's a pretty cow your friend has. It doesn't look like she misses too many meals, lol!

Lil and Snowy seem to be doing fine. They had some excitement Friday; a utility crew trimmed the trees along the road. The girls were laying down up on the hill ... Snowy was craning her neck, trying to keep an eye on the proceedings, while Lil was sprawled out but would pop her head up like a periscope every so often to look around.

[Daniel]

Sorry for your loss. I think of you every time I drive by Georgia State Prison . They have a dairy with Holsteins. They take very good care of their cows. When they have to cull, they are sent to a local auction. I meet the Manager of the farm awhile back. He told me that they can't sell to the public, but if I wanted one of the cull girls, he would give me ID tag numbers and an evaluation of Their condition. Told me several were culled simply because there was no room. I have the pastures, I've prepared, cut ect to bring them back. Hopefully I can get them fenced this winter. I would love to rescue some "Girls".

[willowgirl]

Bless you Daniel!!!
Cows make the best pets.

[Mari-in-IN]

Aug 19, 2017 23:53:20 GMT willowgirl said:

Thanks Mari! That's a pretty cow your friend has. It doesn't look like she misses too many meals, lol!

Lil and Snowy seem to be doing fine. They had some excitement Friday; a utility crew trimmed the trees along the road. The girls were laying down up on the hill ... Snowy was craning her neck, trying to keep an eye on the proceedings, while Lil was sprawled out but would pop her head up like a periscope every so often to look around.

Your welcome!  I'll have to tell Daniel what you said.  Funny you making a comment in regards to her - while I was taking pics of her Daniel commented on the size of her stomach.  A day or two before I took her pic he had turned them out to a 2 acre patch of Sudan grass and she definitely seems to be eating her fill of it!

I'm so glad Lil and Snowy are well.  You just never know how animals may react after losing one of their own.  When Smirnoff (cat) died, Junior would occasionally look for her in her special hiding place in our closet.  He did this for a couple of months and it just broke my heart whenever I saw him trying to find her.