We moved to the country a year ago and last July purchased 2 French Limousin calves off friends who breed them. We were advised NOT to name them but I cannot have an animal of any description with naming it so they duly became known as "Limo" and "Zinny." They spent their days in our lush paddocks snuggling up to one another during the cold, winter nights. One fine Tuesday afternoon a few weeks ago I looked out my kitchen window to see Zinny frothing at the mouth? I rang a vet who arrived at dinner time, the same time hubby got home from work. Because we don't have holding pens, the vet was reluctant to get close to diagnose the problem. After getting advise from the local farmer and his wife and our new daughter-in-law, we tried various remedies and keep a close eye on him. I prayed daily for Zinny as well. It had worked for sick family members, so why not animal members?
After a week Zinny wasn't improving so I rang another vet who duly diagnosed facial exthma and a virus, as he had a high temperature. Hubby was left with the unenviable job of injecting Zinny for the next 3-4 days which he did without fuss or bother. During this time Limo would snuggle in to Zinny and lick him comfortingly. He seemed to know his 'mate' wasn't very well and wanted to help him recover.
Within no time 'the boys' were bouncing around the paddock, kicking up their heels and happy to be back to normal. Our calves will NEVER be on the menu in our house thats for sure!

Author: Kay Brydon
Country: New Zealand
True story: Yes
Rating: 5 paws down
Vote: Vote up Vote down

Previous story: The worldwide horse/goat alliance | Back to story list | Next story: Missy and my mother

Back to story list