I watched the old cow stumble along and wished she was in the house pasture. She was sure enough sick and miserable. I had noticed her early as I passed on the way to the next bunch of cows to check this morning, but she was grazing, or so I thought. I knew we would need the trailer and I had called the offspring, Larry and Larry, to bring it and meet me at the gate. Wished for Snip as I am not a good roper anytime, but from my pickup I am not even close to good.
I waited about fifteen minutes and the cow laid down. She was feverish, not a speck of moisture on her nose, and every once in a while I could hear a low moan. The offspring had already played stupid, and now they were on my last nerve. Waiting and waiting is a good way to get me riled. A sick cow with a good calf on her and a couple of fellers acting like they are rejects from the city trash department made my day.
I finally saw them coming and stepped out and roped the cow. She didn't even dodge when the loop went around her head. I tied her to the corner post and just hoped we could get her up and loaded. Got the trailer backed up close and I bumped her up, she stood pretty wobbly but was ready to load. Sometimes, not often, cattle are accommodating, just don't depend on it.
Then I reared back and lambasted the two offspring of my close relative. The wait for the trailer was sure unhealthy for a man my age. I might of had a heart stoppage or a head bleed or some indescribable affliction and did they care? I was livid. I hope that word means mad.
When I finished my rant, I got in the truck attached to the trailer and headed to the vet clinic. They, the offspring, could walk or drive my old truck that they call plumb embarrassing.
The cow died on the way to town, and I didn't have the vet post her. He figured she had pneumonia and maybe some problems due to calving that just didn't show up until the pneumonia hit her and the infection inside, along with it all, was a true killer. We just never know exactly what is happening on the inside. If the outside appears good, we just go on.
It is my opinion, and everyone has one, losing your temper and a good cow on the same day is not a decent man's best reflection. The cow was not a choice, but the rail on the offspring was disgusting. I found that it does take awhile to change two tires on a trailer, and the early fooling around business that had been a burr under my blanket was for the advantage of their spouses. They had been to town to get stuff for Mother's Day, and I had become stiff necked because it was 10 in the morning and they weren't taking care of the farm. I am eating crow and it is just awful.
Save your railing for such as snakes and the evening news!
Bill is the pen name used by the Gravette-area author of this weekly column. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 05/11/2016