One Last Hurrah

So we are currently pulling out all our fencing (as per our sale agreement) and so yesterday was a day devoted to the project.  We had a dozer popping out fence posts and then Joel and Rick Baker were collecting them by tractor, banding them together, and then loading them onto the trailer that will be going out to Montana in about a week. Those boys were happily working away when suddenly Joel's cell phone began to ring....

Joel:  Hey, babe.
Me:   There are cows out.
Joel:  (angry words)
Me:   It would be nice if you could come remove them from the yard.
Joel:  (angry words)
Me:   Another one just got out.
Joel:  (angry words)
Me:   Well?
Joel:  Hang on, we'll be there in a second.

Then we hung up, and I like the dutiful farmer's wife I am, went to go get the camera!

I am safe on the deck away from any crazy Momma cows!

Now if you've ever had experience with cattle, you know that from time to time, they get out.  And I guess, our old girls decided to give Joel and I "one last hurrah" before they get a new owner and new home.  (We are getting new cattle in Montana since the trip would be too hard on the ones here.)

So the cow in the back left, below?  She is not back in!  She is not supposed to be there!  There is NO FENCE back there anymore!!  And she's just skipping and dancing her way out to greener pastures!

See that cow in the far left corner?

This one discovered some spilled corn and happily remained in the driveway!

The dog has learned his lesson about barking at the Mommas!!
They charge him when he does!

Ahh, here comes our fearless cowboy now!!  Yelling for all he's worth, I might add!

See the one way in the back?  That's the original "far left" one.
Her name is Brandy.

Brandy.  I remember when we got her.  We named her that because she is the only one of our cows that had a brand on her.  Original, huh?  She is loco, man!!  The first time she got preg checked, she nearly took out the vet and Joel and she leaped over a gate and took off!  I said, "We need to get rid of that one."  The vet said, "She's bred."  Joel said, "Good enough for me."

Then another time, she nearly took out Joel and his Dad.  His Dad said, "You need to get rid of her.  She's crazy!"  The vet said, "She's bred."  Joel said, "She's a keeper."

You see, apparently in a cow's life, you need not be pretty, smart, or even NOT INSANE and as long as you're fertile and having babies, you are loved and adored!!

He's got the other 2 running scared back to where they belong!
But see?  He's not looking at them.  He's just, uh, well, let's just say
he's "angrily admonishing" Brandy!!

So how does this story end?  Well, Brandy refused to come.  But, Joel had her calf.  Her ornery little bull calf that is just as nutty as she is. And this was the first time since he was born that Joel had a chance to process him without being killed by Brandy for messing with her baby. Processing basically means vaccinated, ear tagged, and another unpleasant procedure for little bull calfs.  But, I digress.

So Joel, took the opportunity to process her calf, knowing that when the little calf started bawling, that his momma would come a running!! Well, apparently that grass was REALLY green because she SHOCKINGLY ignored his little cries for help.  So Joel did the only thing he could do....

Instructed Rick Baker to shut those orange gates, pictured above as quickly as possible after she ran through them.  Then Joel tied up her calf and scrambled up on a gate.  Boy, did that baby cry then!  And Momma?  With red in her eyes and steam coming out of her ears she came charging back and around the corner and through the gates!  As Rick, hastily pulled them closed, she turned and charged the gates and I think it was a wee bit scary for Rick as well as myself since I have no photos to document.  Joel took this opportunity to run, and leap a few gates.  And Brandy (in her rage) ignored her little tied up baby and leaped another gate in an attempt to go after Joel.

But, all's well that ends well!  She is back where she belongs, the calf is with his mommy, and no one was injured!  Thank you Jesus!

Let's hope, that indeed, that WAS the LAST hurrah!!  Brandy, your days with us are numbered!