New Arrival

"I'm going out to fetch the little calf

that's standing by the mother.

It's so young it totters when she licks it with her tongue.

I shan't be gone long.

You come too."

Robert Frost

Cindy Lou Who, the cow, had her calf early yesterday morning. Mr. Bechtel was out of town with the Spy Twins. (they are still up at Birch Creek on a scout camp out having a fantastic time.) I checked the cow late thursday night and just didn't think anything was going to happen. I should have known better with Mr. Bechtel out of town... But when I woke up and looked out in the field and Cindy wasn't there I got nervous.

Braeburn was just leaving to mow lawns and I asked him to come out with me and check. He was ahead of me walking into the bar. I saw Cindy in the corner of the barn and though, "false alarm" but then Braeburn said, "Here she is, and yep, here's a little calf!"

Cindy had the little guy all dried off and he was curled up napping. He got up and we could see he hadn't eaten yet......Braeburn had gone to mow lawns by now and so it was just me and Golden Delicious (Granny Smith was in and out between the calf and the new baby chicks in the house). I told Golden Delicious we were just going to have to be brave pioneer women. She tied up Cindy, milked out 2 quarts of colostrum, and taught the baby cow to take the bottle. (He is very enthusiastic). We also dipped his cord in iodine. Golden Delicious is an animal marvel.

Of course we were sad he was a boy. We wanted a little heifer, but in a way it made me more relaxed doing this for the first time because it was "only a bull calf....." I kept telling myself that if I got in a bind I could call neighbors for help.

He is ultra adorable though - enormous brown eyes and thick black lashes and he totters after Golden Delicious- she is his second momma - the one who gives him food! Because although he would like to nurse off Cindy, and tries all the time, she won't let him.

Last night's milking was a bit of a rodeo though. I am definitely not doing that again. She will have to wait til the boys get home today before she's milked again. Not cooperative! I think we're going to sell the little guy and Cindy can go back to milking and not worrying about her baby....and holding back her milk....and kicking us....