RUG HOOKING BLOG

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I'm a mother of four grandmother of seven and great grandmother of three. I live with my husband in the house that we built with the help of my brothers and will have been married for 57 years this February.

Friday, June 6, 2014

THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK



Yesterday morning I was doing my chores at the farm and I was keeping my eyes on the pregnant heifer in the calving pen. I gave her a bit of grain and hay but she showed no interest and she got real restless. I knew she was ready to calve.   I put lots of fresh bedding in her pen.

She laid down and stretched herself right out and started to breath hard and moaning.  I call my son Vaughan to tell him she was in labor. Her water broke shortly after she laid down and sprayed the fresh bedding.

I was all done my chores and it was time to go wash my bottles in the other end of the barn so I checked on her again and saw two big hooves sticking out and I knew it was a big calf. I called my son again and he arrived without delay.  He got his dad to help him pull the calf. By the time I returned, the calf was born and I was right, he was big.... It was a hard pull and my son thinks that she would not have been able to deliver by herself. It was good timing because I would have only returned to the barn around 4:00PM.



The calf is doing super and nursed on the mother shortly after.
The mama got herself all dirty by laying in her own mess. It looks like I never added fresh bedding but that's how it is in the birthing pen. It's unbelievable how quickly they mess it up. Like my husband says, "I'm glad cows don't fly"


He's a big little bull. I gave him a vaccine and dipped his navel and my son usually give them vitamin shots.


He's happy for the fresh bedding to lay on.


He's folding his long legs so he can lay down to sleep after suckling on the mother.


Look at that face. Still wet under his eye. I'd like to have long eye lashes like that. No need for mascara for sure...


And what about my face? Aww, you're cute too... This is Tigger, he was born outside last Fall and the feral mother moved him in the barn but he was very scared of me then but he finally came around and now he's like my own shadow. He follows me everywhere I go and wants to be scratched and he purrs loudly. The camera  flash blurred his eyes.




The other cats are not as friendly but they never run away from me. See the big front paws.

I almost forgot, today is my second daughter's birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jackie. I hope that you are being treated extra special today. Hugs.

Thanks for visiting and have a good weekend everyone.
JB

14 comments:

  1. The new calf is so cute!

    I hope your daughter has a great birthday!

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  2. lol! I sure am glad cows don't fly too! :-) Tigger is such a sweet looking buddy and your new cow is cute too! He kinda looks like a border collie with his markings. Happy Birthday wishes to Jackie!

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  3. so glad you saw her and called for help! he is a cute one! so is your sweet shadow cat!

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  4. A new life welcomed into the world!! How awesome. What a beautiful calf :) and Tigger is adorable to!!

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  5. How wonderful to assist a new life into this world! Surely it never gets old....even with the messiness.

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  6. What a day! Happy Birthday to your daughter!
    Have a great weekend,
    Robyn

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  7. Happy Birthday to Jackie! Great that you were there to help with the birth of that super calf! Tigger is a cutie pie! I loved this post today!

    Thank you for your faithful visits and comments on my blog. I love hearing from you.

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  8. Happy Birthday to you daughter and to your new "little" arrival! What a beauty! We'd all look like that Momma cow if the maternity nurses didn't help get us cleaned up! Ha! I hope everyone is well by you and the weekend is a good one!

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  9. I love these posts, and would live to see your mamas and babies. Thanks for the pictures. I love them!

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  10. Happy birthday to your daughter. Yes, cats are a bit standoffish but it sounds like you have a farm full now!

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  11. That little calf is beautiful! Tigger looks like a real sweetie, love his colors and markings. Happy Birthday to your daughter. Hugs

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  12. Always something fun going on at your house!!

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  13. Wow Julia! The life you lead is a full one, of family & your farm. How exciting to see that beautiful calf, it was a huge one! I love black & white animals, your cows always make me smile, thanks for having your camera ready for these great pictures! Your daughters birthday was enhanced by the calf's birth...remember the moaning that went on for her birth? lol I know I moaned like a huge heifer having mine. lol Your cats are perrrfect, I like the one that looks like it's wearing mittens, those are big paws, great mousers I bet!
    Never a dull moment at your homestead, your such a hard working woman, enjoy the rest of this beautiful day as the weekend comes to an end.
    Hugs,
    Cynthia

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  14. Oh my! Geez! So much excitement always! I cant believe how those babes are so up and about so soon! Glad you got the guys there to help! Love the kitty face too! And hope your daughter had a great birthday!!

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