On a Lighter Note – Cows Like Grass
There are times when working for a farmed animal sanctuary is depressing and sad, when I feel like no one and nothing will change. It is during those times, I take great solace and pleasure in grabbing my canon cameras and heading out to the pastures where the animals graze and frolick. Recently the sanctuary I work for moved from 60-acres to 600-acres. I get a lot more exercise now! All of us, human and nonhuman, are adjusting to this monumental change. The challenges are different, like how can we give the animals as much space as possible while still giving us peace of mind? There are dangers out here, mainly from predators we’ve never had to deal with before. And there is the simply complex challenge of how to find 7 cattle on hundreds of acres or 11 goats amidst acres and acres of manzanita and oak. We have taken it all very slowly. We’ve only been here two weeks!
But the cattle were getting antsy and completely bored with their 5-acre “safe zone” pasture. They wanted out, and they displayed their displeasure by plowing right through some fences (expensive ones to boot). So we finally heeded their message, rigged up a chute, and allowed them out to a new pasture. It took them 30 seconds to figure out what we had planned. They were waiting at the gate, ready to explore new land and eat more tasty, lush grass!
Please enjoy the photos. These are ambassadors for the tens of millions of “dairy” and “beef” cattle. They will educate thousands, changing perceptions about farmed animals. They will help change behavior, encourage veganism.
Nicholas likes to munch as he goes!
This is the Best Cow Ever ™. Her name is Sadie. I love her like no other bovine!
Howie is the most popular bovine. This is because he is huggable, and handsome and big. He actually likes hugs too, so that is a plus.
This is Maddie. She is the tallest cow. She is not taller than an oak tree.
A word of explanation – the ear tag. Maddie came from a University. We are located in northern California. You may guess which veterinary university she came from. She was used as a blood donor cow for six years. Like blood donor cows before her, when she got tired of the poking and prodding, her big “thank you!” would have been a one-way trip to the slaughterhouse. She is a sensitive, very serious cow. Trying to corral a 1,500 lb Holstein cow just to snip off an ear tag is easier said than done. It’s not easy to say, really. I have put a dent in it by cutting some of the tag, but we respect Maddie’s big head and her desire not to be messed with too much to push her. So she has an ear tag.
Elsa and Nicholas, unrelated Jersey bovines.
Stephanie Ernst
Marji
Kelly G.
Deb
Mary Martin
They’re beautiful! I don’t understand how people can see them and not fall instantly in love with them!
I love Howie’s bangs! Kinda reminds me of a yak with that thatch of hair on his head like that. Cows are beautiful.
just a note…in case you care about words and their etymology, you might want to rethink the use of the term “cattle.”
What would be your alternative?
The point’s worth making, since the word “cattle” (chattle) literally means property. Animal liberationists/rightists/abolitionists/ etc might want to simply say “cow” or “bos” or even something else entirely.
On the otherhand, we need to be understood, especially by the people who haven’t yet come to agree with us, and in order to do that, we need to use at least some of their language. Using the term “cattle” to refer to both male and females makes our arguments more credible to people educated in animal agriculture since the term “cows” is meant to only apply to females, and only some females at that.
Personally, I use the terms “cows” and “cattle” interchangeably and I don’t have an ethical problem with it.
Thank you so much. One of the reasons I was initially drawn to Deb’s Invisible Voices was that in the midst of all of the gut-wrenching nonhuman animal-related information I’m often bombarded with, I could go there to see her photos and read snippets that weren’t necessarily grisly, simply about the lives and preferences and personalities of the creatures at Poplar Spring. The animals are sort of our clients; we work for them. And it’s nice to see some of them living as they should.
I missed a plot point, tho. Was it fundraising of some sort that allowed them to grow like that? What happened?
If you want, you can read the article the local paper did on us and the move. It was a nice piece, although some of the comments are not so nice. (Not surprising).
http://www.theunion.com/article/20100418/FEATURES/100419793
Great piece! I envy you for being in an area that allows you to contribute the way you do. Congrats on the move. I’m glad it went so smoothly for everyone.
@Billie: I hear you. I love the bovines a lot! Their individual personalities are as diverse as our own.
@Veganprimate: Howie has a veritable cowlick! It’s but one of his many endearing qualities!
@Mary Martin: Seeing the animals here get to live in safety and comfort is a gift. We did a capital campaign to raise funds for the downpayment. A very generous donor matched a large amount of that downpayment. We still have a mortgage, which is funded through the kindness of our Pay It Down donors. :) The land, 600-acres, is part of a land trust, which means it cannot be developed or subdivided. That also meant it was a pretty good deal, all things considered, and it is the only way we could have afforded to get such a nice, beautiful piece of property.
Late to the party… Just wanted to extend a big thank you for posting these photos! It’s true, being bombarded with so many negative and tragic stories about the fate of “cows” and “cattle” – For a change, it’s wonderful just seeing them grazing – Free, happy and safe!
thank you so much for sharing this wonderful photos! it makes me very happy to see happy cows. i also don’t understand how anyone could harm these beautiful cows. who would want to eat/steal from someone so pretty??