Surprise!

Life is full of surprises. Three weeks ago, we welcomed “Miracle” who was born strong and healthy after spending at least 12 hours in the birth canal with only her little foot sticking out. Today we went in search of one of our replacement heifers, Named “Moonshine” by our niece’s daughter, Laura. She was missing when we returned home on Monday from ten days at the Fort Stockton and Junction Sheep Dog Trials (more on that in my next post.), and we didn’t see her on Tuesday.  

At first, we weren’t worried.  Moonshine and one of the other heifers (named “Sparkle Lily” by Laura) have had their differences over who will be boss cow of the heifer herd.  Moonshine lost that battle and often doesn’t hang with the others.  We thought she was just keeping to herself…but not for two days.  We drove around the pasture Wednesday morning, dreading that we might find a sick or dead cow.  Near our west fence line, we found her.  She looked a little leaner than usual, but we thought the other heifers had just been keeping her away from the hay ring.  We had no idea of what was really going on.  

We had planned to turn the heifers in with the bull and other cows in April, but it turns out Moonshine didn’t want to wait that long. Wednesday afternoon she strolled up with a beautiful black baldy calf.  We don’t yet know if it is a bull, or a heifer, but its name is Surprise!