Jackie

She was only a tiny little black, white faced calf.  Dad was kind of disappointed that Brightie, our Holstein cow had produced such a miserable specimen.  "She looks like a jack rabbit", was Dad's comment.  Jackie, as she became known, soon made up for her puny birth.  A lively specimen, she ran circles around her bigger counterparts.  She had a friendly disposition and became the family pet.  Within the first month or two of her life, she made an unexpected visit to the house.  A neighbouring farmer, ever the practical joker, led her into Mother's kitchen one evening, just for the pure shock value.  She was never given the opportunity to become housebroken!

Jackie grew into a fine hiefer.  Money was tight and I'm certain Dad wanted to sell her as a yearling, but I think he sensed that this one was special.  So she was allowed to enter the herd as a brood cow.

In her sixteen patient years, she faithfully produced a healthy calf each year.  Two daughters went on to become brood cows like their mother.

Finally one fall, Jackie returned open, meaning she was not in calf.  This usually meant the trip to the great pasture in the sky, for a beef cow.  Usually we ended up butchering any cow suffering from infertility, for the winter's beef.  However, I think even Dad realized that we wouldn't be able to choke down a burger, knowing it came from an old family pet.

It was a sad day that we watched the old girl toddle on to the truck that would take her to market. Her pendulous udder swayed softly, her gentle face streaked with the grimy tears of the aged.

Some folks would suggest that cows are just stupid creatures, but Jackie had personality and we all loved her for it.

And that is about all I have to say for today.

Musings and meanderings from the Musical Gardener.