The Cow-less Cowboy

On Saturday, our cows will be leaving.

Sweet Dixie, who we bought as a baby, over 5 years ago.

Dudley, who we bought as a baby over 4 years ago.

And newcomer Duchess, a sweet girl and good Mama.

And Buttercup, who is expecting a calf this Fall for the very first time.

It's not going to be easy, seeing them get loaded up and drive away. 

They become a part of you, of who you are.

I'll miss the new crop of calves...

But little Sizzler will be staying. 

I'm sure the goats will welcome him into the fold.

It will be an adjustment, but we'll manage.

And I'm pretty sure you can still be a cowboy, even if you don't have a cow.



Little Rune on the Run

Saturday night always whispers a sense of excitement.

This past Saturday was no different.

Little Rune was on the run.

It's not the first time...

Since he first arrived this summer, along with Sookie and Jackson,

he has always been the one to slip out and "explore".

Usually Russ catches him with one or two tries, puts him back and all order is restored. 

However, Saturday night was different.

And we decided Rune has always been different...smaller...smarter.

So...he is now loose on the farm.  Free to roam.

He's set up shop just inside the barn, and hangs out with the cows during the day.

And they seem quite happy with the situation.

First-Time Heifer

In the time it took us to down some beef BBQ sandwiches,

onion rings and a couple hot fudge sundaes at the local Dairy Queen...

Our gal gave birth.

Upon arriving home Thursday night from our local culinary "hot spot" we expected a quiet evening.

Having already eaten dinner, we felt like we were one notch ahead in our chore list.

Not so...

We pulled up to the cabin,

opened the doors of the truck and heard the last grunting cow call.

Mooooaaaaoooooo~!

I looked at Russ, he looked at me, and we knew.

We had a cow in labor.  Duchess...

I ran to the barn, Russ went to get a flashlight.

I looked hard through pending darkness, squinting. 

In the shadowed stall I see...

 Mama.

 ...and a little one standing near her legs.

You can imagine my excitement to see Duchess had just delivered!!

In the time it took to have a lingering meal, nine months of waiting was over for this Mama.

Russ and the flashlight confirmed what I thought I saw.

A happy, hovering Mama and a wet new baby.

We were overcome with joy, as Duchess delivered effortlessly.

First-time heifers ~ you just never know.

But we are now 3-0 in the delivery business and hope to stay that way.

Every delivery has been stress free and healthy for both Mama's and babies.

What followed was like a manger scene.

All the other animals circled around to greet the new little calf, in their respective stalls.

Kobe

Russ towel dried Kobe off, shook out a fresh bale of hay for additional bedding, put up a gate to assure Kobe wouldn't take a stroll in the snow, and finally...

and most importantly, made sure Kobe knew which end the milk came from.

And then we let Mama take it from there.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing and wonderful,