Late yesterday afternoon, just as the cicadas started singing, just as the light began to soften, my favourite old cow, 767, came up to the fence and called me.
We have a special connection, her and me. She is eighteen now, old for a cow, and an illogical keep, but I cannot get rid of her. She is my favourite. She started her life as a Show Queen, pampered and beribboned. Once she was a stunning specimen – a champion of her breed. Now she is an elderly bovine with a graying muzzle, one eye gone and smooth skin covering the empty socket, skinny legs and an enormous girth. I nearly lost her last year to an infected broken hoof, and the vet despaired as I spent endless hours nursing her back to health when he thought the sensible thing to do would be shoot her. She is a gutsy old thing, and I owed her that I try while she tried. Of course she pulled through.
The other cows still respect her, and watch out for her. And in return she watches out for them.
She comes to the fence and calls. Soft at first, and then insistent. I step onto the verandah, and she waits until she is sure I have seen her. The paddock is flush with feed. She cannot be calling for treats.
She turns her head and lumbers away and then stops, spins and calls again. I am sure she wants me to follow her. Pulling on my gumboots I clamber through the fence while she waits. Then we are off.
Halfway down the hill is one of our young heifers, lying in a pool of bloody fluid. Her udder is all bagged up and it’s obvious that she is in labour. Her first calf. The old cow steps up to her and gingerly presses her nose to the heifer’s in an act of reassurance. Then she looks up at me and glares. I am sure I am meant to do something.
I look around at the business end of the heifer. Her cervix is dilated and the membrane is broken. I can see what looks like a snout. The old cow hollers at me. “Do something!”
Gently I push my arm into the birth canal. I should feel feet but I feel a head. I feel around some more. The legs are tucked up, making the calf in the wrong position to birth. I don’t know what to do. I am at home alone. If I go back up to the house and call a neighbour or the vet I will lose the calf. If they take too much time I might lose the mum.
The heifer puffs her breath and lifts her head to look at me too. Bert my dog sniffs gently at her and licks her face. She doesn’t pull away, and keeps looking at me. I sigh, say a little prayer, and push my arm back into her, pressing on the calf’s head. I feel it slide backwards and I grope around, pulling one leg and then the other into position, as if the calf is about to make a graceful leap into the world.
“I’m sorry, girl,” I say, patting the heifer’s flank with my bloody hand. I have nothing to pull her calf with. I am totally unprepared. “I’ll go and call the vet.”
As I stand to go, she pushes. Just a few quick pushes and the slippery calf slides out and lands at my feet. I tear the sac away from its body, and mum manoeuvres herself so that she can lick the calf clean. It is breathing.
Soon mum is standing, and I gently lift the baby calf to its feet and guide it over for her first drink. I feel such a sweet gratitude for life, and for the interconnectedness of all things.
767 stands beside me and lets me rub her ears and neck. Because of her, two lives are saved and our herd is safe and well. Don’t tell me animals don’t feel, think or care. This wise old cow is still teaching me new things. I consider her one of my dearest friends.
Here’s mum and bub this morning. I named the calf Emmy. All is well. ♥ I love my farming life!
Such a beautiful story. You’ve made me all weepy. I really appreciate you sharing the link to it on your VVP post, otherwise I would’ve missed it. xoxo
oh golly i am all teary eyed over here too. beautiful story. beautiful cows thanks for telling it, and telling us about ole 767.
Thanks for visiting! Ole 767 is a pretty special girl ♥
this is so beautiful, thanks Nicole, brought tears streaming…. All animals are such blessings xx
They are, aren’t they! Thanks for visiting my blog, Penelope. Much love to you xx
I just love stories like this… thank you so much Nicole!
Thanks Alan. Nature has so much to teach us! 🙂
That’s precious Nicole – what a day. I love my animal connections – they are so pure and true.
Also wanted to let you know I told my cousin about your blog and she’s been loving it. She said she feels like she’s breast-stroking back to herself – I thought that was beautiful xx
Gee Wendy, that made me cry! Thank you ♥ xx
A beautiful reminder of how precious life is. Animals are souls too and they can still teach us a thing or two. Well done to all involved.
I believe all living things have souls… ♥
Wonderful the country life. So glad there are folks like yourself to share the experience that others might miss out on. The new calf looks great and thanks 767.
Thank you – yes, I’m glad I can share my little slice of country life with others. There is something about nature and the land that really restores us to ourself. Thanks for dropping by my blog!
Wow what a story you had me enthralled i’m glad it turned out well!
It was so gratifying to see that little calf gambolling around the paddock this morning. Emmy sure has life in her!
Oh my gosh what a beautiful experience to have it brought a tear to my eye 🙂
It didn’t feel beautiful at the time, but afterwards… ah, the magic!
Precious, precious, moving story that is going to stay with me for a long time to come xxx
Thank you, Upasana. Me too xx
I felt this story with my whole body. I felt your connections to your beautiful animals. Thank you so much for sharing. I feel that connection with my own animals at home. I pray that all people will respect God’s beautiful creatures too. I love Emmy too because that’s what I call my daughter Emma. It’s her cutesy name! XXX
It’s not hard to feel that connection when you come from your heart. Bless xx
So…….. Nicole, what a wonderful demonstration of your awareness and intuition and you being in the moment…… this is something for us all as humans to aspire to……..Thank you !
I think there are many farmers and animal lovers who would tell you similar stories, Pamela! Not so special from where I’m sitting, but certainly I feel very blessed.
I feel special. My grandchildren in America call me “Emmy”. So now I will have to put a picture of your Emmy in my photos. So cute!! Good job being alert to 767. Mx
That’s lovely, Marilyn! xx
Oh Nicole. What a wonderful story thank you. I am having a poor week and now after reading that feel pure joy.
As always, our words inspire
Teresa x
Sending all good love, light and healing vibes your way, Teresa. Bless xxoxx
Wow Nicole, That was beautifully told! It brought tears to my eyes. The bond between animals and humans is soooooo precious. I love how Bert got in on the act too and gave some reassurance. Cows are such divine bovines and your gals are gorgeous.
I know! Made me want to just give Bert the biggest hug. Thanks, Lynette xx
This is just beautiful Nicole. A gentle reminder to all of us to listen to our animals, listen to our own inner guidance and offer assistance when needed. 767 is a beautiful being and the bond you share is truly magical. Well done on playing the role of midwife.
Thanks Lorraine. Glad this farm story had a happy ending!
Animals are so amazing ….. such a blessing for you to have 767 in so many ways. A new life saved, thank you for sharing this wonderful event. xx
Yes, I love my one-eyed pirate cow. She’s been a leader of her herd for years and I rely on her wisdom in many ways.
I can’t begin to tell how this has affected me, half a world away. Life is precious, and I thank you for celebrating it in such graphic and practical ways. I am a priestess of Hathor, and this is the best thing I’ve read in a long time.
Thank you Sophie. It was a wonderful moment in my life too, but not so rare. Our cows have often come to us for help when one of their own has been in trouble. It’s a magical thing that bond of trust and care. Bless xx
yes, part of the charm of this story was its atmosphere of ‘everyday heightened’ – the culmination of that bond of trust and care, repeated whenever called upon.
well done midwives nicole and 767, and congrats mummy heifer and emmy!!! enjoy the blessing of life! sx
Thank you! Such a good feeling to have this healthy calf as a new addition, and her mum well and adjusting to life as a mother ♥
Lovely =) I have always believed that animals could talk to us, even when my family thought it was just a childish fantasy. I have never lost that belief, and I love discovering other people who experience the same =) Well done Nicole!
I am sure that animals communicate with us – they just don’t use words. How many people have had a pet indicate that they want something? Cows and other less familiar animals are no different, and the more I spend time in nature the more I see that to be true. 🙂