Animals Show A Remarkable Respect And Understanding

A fascinating chat with a lovely calf called Mitzi

A lovely calf called Mitzi!

Backstory from Karen

This is Mitzi.

Her mama had mastitis and she survived for six weeks by stealing milk from the other mamas.

Then we gave her a home, to be a companion to our first calf, Maggie. Unfortunately, about three weeks later, Maggie died.

She seems to be okay with being the only cow amongst the sheep, but I wonder if she feels sad, lonely or misunderstood?

Mitzi

It has been lonely being the only calf in the world with no mother. I felt a bit depressed and often a little hungry. I thought life was getting better, and it has in all truth, but I miss my new friend.

She was sick for a while and I couldn’t help her to feel comfortable. I could help her to feel loved though and she was happy to share our kind friendship until the very end when she left me here.

I don’t know what the solution is. Animals get on fairly well where I am right now. We all have our differences and unique personalities but we’re friendly and even the sheep show respect and understanding for my situation.

I wonder how long I will be here. I’m not guaranteed of any permanence here. I wonder if I will be sent to a new home again and I will miss the safety and protection this farmyard offers me.

Where I lived before I could hear cries in the night. Coyotes or some kind of wild beast that haunted me. I imagined it would come to get me without the protection of a mother. But it never did and here I am.

The moon paints a pale picture above my head most nights. I reflect on the changing of the seasons and the snow that will come… or so they say.

I don’t understand these things very well. I am just a docile young cow. I have no say and no direction in life.

I would like a greater friendship with those around me. I would like to feel close to the dog even, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Karen feeds me and looks after me well. I think she even likes having me around. She doesn’t know how to moo very well though. (She’s finding that amusing in a soft and gentle way).

Teach me to follow you with a treat or a handful of grain and I will become your loyal companion as you work around the yard. I just need the invitation to stay close and to have confidence I am loved.

Are they going to eat me one day?? I wonder about this with a little confusion. It’s not in my nature to question my lot in life but it makes me a little mellow to consider it all.

That dastardly black cat gives me the eye and isn’t so friendly. It lurks in the bushes and tempts me to engage in idle conversation but I don’t think it’s intentions are worthy.

It doesn’t belong here anyway. Angry Tom.

Well it’s getting late. I don’t have much to say other than I’m thankful for the safety of this home and for the understanding Karen shows me when I balk at going where she wants or doing what she requests.

I’m not difficult. Sometimes, I just don’t understand. I’m more of a leader than a follower when it comes to moving from one place to the next. Try telling me what you want rather than instructing me with yells and whistles. It just confuses and frightens me.

We can walk gently through life with patience and mutual respect and understanding.

That’s all. I’m done with talking. Goodnight.