Good Boy

With semi-nice weather, Vernon was hoping to not have any sick calves. When he came home to get a bottle of milk replacer, I asked to help, and Bravo and I rode along in the pickup. Taking a dog along to new calves is usually not recommended, but I planned to leave Bravo in the pickup or SOMETHING.

Arriving at the pasture, Bravo blasted out the door, eager to do ANYTHING. He has spring fever like the rest of us and was ready for action. Vernon opens the gate for me and we step through. He mumbled something. I knew what he meant even though I couldn’t hear him. Momma cows don’t like dogs, and when a dog is charged, sometimes by multiple mommas as they all come to help… often a dog will come running for YOU. Hiding behind you, you’re now in the hot seat. Cows are very intimidating. We prefer not to be in that position.

“Bravo. Sit. Stay.”

I followed Vernon.

The calf was chilled and Vernon offered the bottle of warm milk replacer. Moving it around in the calf’s mouth, he tried to encourage it to latch on to the nipple. Unfortunately, it didn’t want to.

Vernon would have to pour it down its throat. He switched the milk from the bottle to the tube. As you can see in the photo, the long attachment would reach to the calf’s stomach.

Threading it is easy enough to do with a practiced hand. Having someone ignorant of the process could have unfortunate results.

Tipping it up, the milk ran quickly into the calf’s stomach, giving it enough energy to get it back on its hooves.

A couple of life saving minutes later, we walk back to the gate.

Well, lookee there. Look who was a Good Boy! He’d overcome his desire for zoomies and patiently waited for us to return.

Find me here!

• 
• 
• 
•