This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

His Days Are Numbered


John spent a lot of time this morning enlarging the chute so he can drive this bull into a trailer to take him to market. His son has about reached his Dad's size and there is another smaller bull in the wings so its about time for Big Boy to move along. He is old and his teeth seem to be gone. I know it sounds bad and what if we old people were put out to pasture like that but that is just the way the cattle business is. You just can't keep them all for pets. Anyway John had to move the corner post over so he can go easily and peacefuly through the chute to the trailer. The corner post is a railroad tie and hard to handle so John dug around it and pushed it over to make the opening wider for him at the top. Then we put cement down in the hole. Sure I helped, I ran water in the hole with the garden hose after he poured ready-mix in the hole. There are lots of corner post on this place made from railroad ties. The railroad used to run at the front of the property along side the farm-to-market road. The original owner must have been allowed to buy the ties or they were given to him. They are strong post that will last almost forever. Speaking of the big bull and his son---one of them must have knocked one of the old cows down. We found her beside a mesquite with her calf by her side and she can't get up. John thinks that is what happened because it has happened before with old cows. John has been taking cubes, hay, and water to her and she still has a good appetite. Her calf grazes in the field and then comes back to his mama and stands by her. He can't nurse so John has been bringing food to the calf too. John has closed the gate to this field so the other cows cannot come in and take the food from the poor old cow and her calf.

14 comments:

How I See It said...

Oh that poor cow!

jack69 said...

You have dealt another blow for bloggerhood. Good post though sad in many ways. Life has a way of weeding out the old and bringing in the new. So as the old Quote goes : As you are, I once was, As I am you will be.
Take care & thanks.
Sherry & Jack up in the land of Auto's Motown.

Heather said...

Soo sad the old bull has to go, but I get why. Sure hope the old cow makes it back up on her feet soon!

Donna. W said...

Not many people keep a bull to such a ripe old age. He was a lucky fellow!

Unknown said...

Isn't it funny and sad sometimes how life can be.!___=^..^=___Kittie

Toon said...

Yep. Farming isn't for people who get overly sentimental about animals. It was tough to grow up and having to learn that so early.

Lucy said...

This is an excellent post. As you said about people growing old.. In a way going to a nursing home when most family is gone is like being put out to pasture. It is sad that the old cow got knocked down but you and John give her good care. As you know I have not had a good experience with the bulls I encountered, but In a nice bull that grows old that is sad top.

Dar said...

Life on the farm really isn't much different than the life cycle of we human folk. Big Boy and his son remind me of many Big Boys and their sons. Hope the ol' girl can get up soon and nurse her calf again, tho it sounds as tho you and John are doing all you can for her.
BlessYourHearts

Helen said...

Sad that the bull has to go but he should bring a good price him being that large. I hope the old cow will soon be able to get up and go again.
Helen

Marty said...

Glad I'm not an elderly cow!
Best,
Marty

Anonymous said...

Hi Paula...I hope when it comes time for this old cow to be put out to pasture that there are some nice folks like you and john to look out for me LOLOLOL...farm life is reality...most of us could do with a pinch of farm life every now and then...thanks for dropping by my blog...again!!!! LOL...hugs from KY

natalie said...

Dear Paula,
hugs!
awww.. I am so sorry that you had to let that wonderful cow go! He looks so sweet! My grandmother named her cows and she hated to see them go!:)
Paulla dear friend, thanks so much for posting on my blog! Please come back soon!
love,natalie
Lurkynat

Unknown said...

I Feel like I'm in just about in the same boat as that old bull...it's a good thing they don't have an auction barn for people...the wife probably would have run me into the ring years ago LOL.

Amelia said...

You know, animals tend to do that with other animals if the are sick or old. My mom's younger dog is always hurting her oldest one (which is 14) We had to separate them it was so bad. I think it is just their instinct. Maybe that's what happened with the cows as well..

Missy