I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

About 11:00 yesterday I went to check on everyone in the pasture, I was headed into town to see if my favorite camera could be fixed.  The cows were just enjoying a favorite spot of theirs.  I usually hang out with them for a few minutes.  I get a head count and make sure everyone is acting normal.

They were all accounted for and just looked at me like….can we help you?

I went on into town, did the camera thing and had a couple other errands.

I went back to the pasture around 5:00.  I saw that the cows in the second pasture….I walked over to them…but 2 were not accounted for.  One was the newest calf Toots and the other was Jett.  It is not unusual for the little calves not to be with the herd, but a cow to be missing especially an expectant one is of concern.

I quickly went back to the spot where I had seen her earlier.  Sure enough, she was near there laying on her side.  I approached her carefully, she was trying to deliver.  I saw two feet….they were not in the correct position for birth.  I tried to pull on them when she would have a contraction, but they were not budging.  I knew I was going to have to have help.   The sad thing was, the feet were already cold.   I knew the baby was already dead.

Our neighbor to our pasture and another friend came to check on me….I called my brother who dropped everything and came with a friend.  I called the vet and then we proceeded to try to put her in a confined area so the vet could help her more easily.

The vet came, they tried to pull the calf, it was breach.  They even used the calf puller on her.  After much trying, she said a c-section would be high risk.  She would recommend putting her down.  It broke my heart.

After weighing all the options…..

I watched and petted her until the medicine could work.

I absolutely hate this part of having animals.

About 8:30 last night we buried sweet Jett and her calf.

I do not know if it was a boy or girl….I could only see the black legs.  But, I name every animal that comes on the farm.  This one will be called black beauty.

I do appreciate all the love and respect given to Jett from all the people who tried to help her.   I am at least glad that even though it was a horrible situation, I was with her, and she didn’t die in the woods alone.

Meanwhile….. I have a very heavy heart.