And the Story Goes

Yesterday I was waiting for a load of laundry to finish washing, and promptly fell asleep on the couch. I got an hour in, before Large came home from school and woke me with just the mere presents in the living room. I sat up and looked at the time, I had 20 minutes before I had to go out and wait on Small. I sat there a moment, attempting to find my equilibrium, before standing and stretching. I looked out the window and there seemed to be a dog laying on the ground under Murrial's feet. Wait, no. . . calf. Large, Murrial had her calf! Really? He isn't as thrilled as I am. So I asked if he would go out a watch for Small while I went out to the field. He did.

I walked out and found the little one still gasping for air. Bubbles were spilling out of her nose. She was only a few minutes old, and laying in a puddle of mud and water. I wiped her nose with my hand, clearing a little of the remaining mucus while Murrial (who isn't suffering from PPD, ha!) chewed on some of the milking treats I brought her. I brought those out to her so she wouldn't push me to the ground. I then took a few pictures and thought about what to do. The wee one should be trying to stand soon, and that will get her out of the mud, but she was cold. I walked back into the house and called my husband.

"Congrats!, you have a daughter!" He was excited and cursed in his pleased biker manner. I asked him if I should go ahead and try to pick her up. He said to try and coax her out. I then called my good neighbor to see if he was around to help me if need be. He was out buying some goats.

I took the towel out and as I approached, she was taking her first steps. Then Sammy decided to celebrate by screaming and running then kicking up her heels very close to Murrial and Courage. Scaring Murrial and calf. Murrial took off, with Courage trying to keep her knobby knees from collapsing, following behind. At least she was now out of the mud. oops, I spoke too soon.

Murrial decided to lead Courage to the corrals. They have been flooded all week, and Courage immediately was stuck in the mud. She hadn't the strength yet to get out on her own. Now it was time to put my Popeye arms to work. I scooped her up, and carried her into the pen. She has to weigh 40-45 lbs easily. I made it to the pen, but don't think I could have made it any further than that.

Murrial was confused, she was on the wrong side, then she was ticked because Mama was all over the new one. I went to coax Murrial to the other side with a little clapping (which is something I do to call the cows in) She followed, but Mama saw the gate open and took off. Just lost that day's milk. ~sigh~ I got Murrial over, and she checked on Courage. Seeing that all was well she grazed a bit. I was covered in mud and cow slime, but took the opportunity to dry Courage off. Once I had finished with that, Courage decided to follow me around. I got her back over to where Murrial was eating, and stepped back, hoping that some nursing action would happen.

With her belly full, Courage laid down, and I went back into the house to get dinner started. That's when the good neighbor showed up, bringing gifts of apples and eggs. I walked out with him, and showed him our new calf. I think he is in love with Murrial, "she is some good lookin' cow" he says every time.

Shortly there after, husband arrived home. And we once again walked out to see Courage. He gave her a good rub down, while I checked again to make sure that she was really a she.

I have yet to be out this morning, as it is only now becoming light out. The other calves haven't met Courage yet, I will give her a few days to get her strength up before that happens.

On the name game. Murrial is the name of the woman on the cartoon, Courage the Cowardly Dog. And they live in Nowhere Kansas. We thought it was perfect. If Courage had been a bull, he would have been named Eustace.