Working Cows

Not all that long ago, if I heard the term ‘working cows’, I would probably have assumed that they were talking about cows that gave milk, hence ‘working cows’…as apposed to a ‘grazing cow’, which would obviously not be ‘working’.  I know now, that ‘working cows’ or ‘work the cows’ means that the people are going to work…give shots, brand, turn bulls into steers.  The calves who have been separated from their Mama Cows for the morning are not too happy about it.  They are stressed and want to do only one thing, which is to find their Mama.Our Friend the Farmer has 84 calves that need to be worked.  It is stressful for him as well.  He worries about having enough help to get the job done, without anyone getting hurt. I however, am not stressed at all.  I am delighted, when I hear he worries about getting enough help, because that means he really needs/wants my help, which equals a big ‘yippee’ for me!  It gets even better when I am given the job of giving all the tetanus to all the bulls.  We are using up all the odd vials of tetanus first and the dosages need to be figured out for each one.  Our Friend the Farmer wants his daughter or I to do this job, as he needs someone who can ‘think and count’.  As his daughter had a new baby to care for, she was happy to let me have a go.

The work got underway, with the ever-increasing back ground noise of separated mothers and babes who wanted nothing more than to be returned to each other.  Loud ‘mooing’ means cows are being worked.The age group ran from grandchildren to grandparents…which is the beauty and the fun of the day…as they all work together.  Some learning a new job for the first time…all careful to steer clear of the son with the branding iron.There is pride in the calf throwers, the girls want to throw their calves with other girls.  The littlest boys proudly worked together to throw the littlest calves as well.  They could have worked with a bigger brother, Uncle or cousin, but no..they were going to do it themselves as they sit on their calf and stretch their legs out to keep them still, although there is an ever ready pair of older hands to help anyone who needs it.  There is just one leg left to kick out and I learned that I could protect myself from getting a kick by keeping the calf’s leg tucked in with my boot as I administered my shot.  My Loving Spouse is working with Our Friend the Farmer as the bull calves are cut and then castrated.  It seems none of the younger men in the family are eager to learn to do this job!

As all the calves have been worked, I get a bonus and am happy to hold the youngest member of the family.The loud mooing will now get louder as the calves and Mama are reunited.  Some of the Moms make a bee line through the gate to find their calf while others…see some new hay and get side tracked…even in cows..not all mamas are the same.

…and then we eat…and even have a beer or two…and the older men talk about naps and the 10 year old boys wrestle on the lawn…and it was the greatest way to spend my birthday, who would have ever known…that life could change…and be so full…and I am blessed.