Aeryn and I have been crazy busy working with our new friends. Though I have to admit it took a few weeks for us to reach the "friend" stage. But we are finally there and I am completely in love with this big red cow. Which I am sure that I have stated before. She reminds me of a time in my life when I was genuinely happy. A much simpler time than the one we live in now. My days in 4-H were some of the best days ever. And even though raising beef animals is slightly different than the dairy animals I am used to I am enjoying this every much. I have something to look forward to when I get out of work. No matter how bad a day I have had I can count on this beautiful cow to cheer me up. If Aeryn and I choose to do nothing but sit in the field while they graze she is not shy about coming up and getting our attention for a bit of grain, or a scratch behind the ears. She is loving and devoted to her calves and Lola, who I am thinking she is treating like a daughter. The start of our beautiful herd at Long View Farm, beautiful Roseanna. This happens to be one of the few pictures that I like of myself. Not normally one to like being in front of the camera I like that this pictures captures actual happiness.
It also shows a love that I share with my beautiful little girl. Though she does not look nearly as happy as I do in this picture. Inside she really is happy because this is the first time that she has gotten to lead Roseanna. (Granted this picture was taken a couple of weeks ago) When we first brought the animals home I was not sure that Aeryn would be able to handle a cow this size. She looks so small next to her. But Roseanna has turned out to be such a wonderful girl. At least she has not tried to drag Aeryn all over the pasture, which is an option that she would definitely have if she had the mind to do it. Fortunately that has not seemed to cross her mind. At least I think that it has not. And as long as Aeryn has a bucket in her hands ( it does not even have to have grain in it ) Roseanna is willing to follow her anywhere. It usually ends up being a parade with Aeryn in the front being followed by Roseanna. Lola is usually close behind with the calves bringing up the rear. It is a very entertaining sight.
Rachel and Rose are growing like a couple of weeds. Even though they kind of blend in with the remnants of the rosebushes that we had to get rid of. They are eating grain full time now and have began to associate the buckets with something tasty. They are just as eager to see us these days as the two older cows are. Which makes me laugh. All of the animals have began to recognize our car as it drives past the pasture to get the grain buckets from the garage. If we choose to walk to the pasture from the house they are usually waiting right next to the fence by the time we get down there.
Lola is also growing like a weed. She is wonderful. And now that we are able to get a halter on her and lead her she makes me proud. There was a week or so when I was starting to get worried that we would never get her trained. But, we were able to get her on a halter and she has been working wonderfully. Aeryn is not quite up to handling Lola by herself yet, but we have avoided being dragged across the field by her as well. We have even gotten a show halter on her, which she has responded very positively too.
