I really don’t know where to begin with the tale of the chapter of the ‘cow years’. They were 5 amazing years. I guess it all started with five acres and lots of over grown grass, maybe even after a beer or two.
I remember asking my neighbor if he would be able to pick up a cow for me… I asked for a small cow. Gave him $300.00 and that same afternoon of June 2012 he delivered in the biggest trailer you could imagine a ‘mini’ cow. By no standard would my new cow ever… grow big.
The expansive pasture was so big, it made her look even smaller.
…and in this beautiful being I met not only my friend, but also my teacher: Molly.
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The few people that had livestock would just encourage me by saying… nothing to it, just make sure she gets fresh water. There is more to it – believe me. The days went by and I fell more and more in love with her. Her floppy ears, her lovely coat brownish red and her blond tail, her big eyes and cute tongue with the little black birth mark- I was caught hook, line and sinker.
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Not five months had passed, when finally getting used to our routine, a neighbor down the street calls asking to see if we would adopt a 3 week Holstein bull… she could not handle the rigors of maintaining livestock.
What was I thinking? Surely, all I have to do is just make sure they get fresh water. I said sure, I’ll adopt.
Not having trailer… and lucky it was only 1/4 of a mile from my place, I decided to ‘walk’ it over. It took me 15 minutes to walk to her place. It took me over an hour to walk that little bull back home. He was not having any of it. Lots of stop and go. More stop than go.
Too bad no one told me the trick about the tail. Yes, there is this little trick= simply pull the tail towards the nose and surprising enough they’ll seem to move.
And that is how Rocco joined our family the month of November 2012.
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Molly was very patient with that little bull… who would chase her down the pasture trying to get at her udders. In less than 6 months he was just as tall as her.
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Within 3 years Rocco had grown way taller than I had imagined a cow could grow… both of them loved being groomed, they were very curious of anyone that would stand by the backyard fence and Rocco became very protective of the fence by the road. Cows’s are very smart beings. When they get to know you…. with caution, they welcome you as one of the herd. But never ever ever, turn your back on a cow – just saying.
So there I was… with two mismatched cows, none of which I selected myself, but for some reason or other made their way into my life. With Rocco we knew that would be a short time, we were told that the sooner he’d be freezer meat the better it would be. First year came and left… second year came and left… it was so hard, Molly seemed so happy having his company, plus she was not lonely at night. Third year came and left, fourth year came and left and then, something odd began to happen with Rocco – not too noticeable, but he would ‘bully’ at the feeding station.
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Five years later and Rocco was in his glory. He was truly handsome Holstein and a beautiful being. Rocco may be the reason years from now that we may decide to cut meat from our diet, for now, we will honor him. It’s not a happy ending, but it was the end game when we took him in.
Molly was our girl and I wanted to grow old with her. But 2 days after Rocco left… when I went out to feed her, her spirit left. She was my biggest teacher, a noble being, a patient being, a kind being, a friend. I miss her dearly.
I have experienced loss before… and yes, I know life goes on – but I know that no matter how many other beings ever walk that pasture – Molly was the first. I walk on the empty pasture with a part of my heart missing, and for a brief second I see her running across the field with her tail up high as if chasing butterflies.
