God’s animal kingdom fascinates me, and I really think there is more going on in their realm than we as humans are aware.
They tend to each other and, for the most part, are kind to each other, and sometimes even have fun together. Once in a while there are skirmishes, but that’s because they live in such close proximity to each other. A bit of a conflict every now and again is bound to happen.
We have a pen that, for the time being, houses only three little calves. There is room for quite a few more in there, and by and by, it will fill when our cows come due. For now there is a 2-month-old, a 3-week-old and a 1-week-old, keeping each other company.
Every day, twice a day, I tend to all our calves, cleaning and feeding them, and keeping a watchful eye on their activities. When a person is with their animals as much as we are, one almost develops a sixth sense in noticing any trouble. It is so gratifying to feed a healthy calf, listening to them beller in anticipation of their breakfast and supper. At times we’ve had to nurse sick calves back to health and use whatever method possible in order to get sustaining fluids in them, be it with a bottle, tubing it or coaxing the calf to drink from a pail. I so hate to see dull, lethargic eyes and droopy ears, both signs of sickness. Because we spend so much time tending them, we notice they have personalities, too.
One day just after I fed the calves their milk, I watched them for a little while. We are raising a jet black, Black Angus bull calf. At only 3 weeks old, the little mister is showing signs of masculinity. He has broader, bulkier shoulders and a tough-guy aura about him. That day after consuming their breakfasts, the older calf in the pen started grooming him. She was licking his front shoulder and neck with her sand paper tongue much like a cat would groom herself. It was crazy. This little big tough guy was standing there, head down, eyes half closed enjoying the cleaning he was getting. I could tell he was thoroughly into it.
After they got done eating and grooming, it was time to play. This little blackie kicked up his heels and at one point, jumped up on all fours, going sideways! It was so cute. The three of them get along very well. After eating, grooming and playing, it’s time to sleep. Each one hunkered down next to the other and one fresh, straw-bedded corner was filled with calves nestled back-to-back.
Going outside to water our pigs, Pork and Bean, I noticed they, too, were huddled with their backs together, getting comfort from each other’s nearness. Quietly I stood watching them for I knew if they heard so much as the pail handle rattle, they’d jolt up, looking for that fresh milk they get when we have a new calf. That day I was just filling their water bucket and they snorted and squealed and grunted their displeasure. Oh, how they can grumble. And they fight with each other, too, straining to see who gets the most feed. They each win that battle, judging from their girth. Looking at how big they’ve grown, I can just taste that homegrown ham complementing our Christmas dinner.
The kitties live in their own world, too. They have catfights where you’d think one is killing the other. They hunch up, tails slowly sweep back and forth, back and forth, waiting for the other one to make a move. Right now we have a couple of batches of kittens that are half-grown and thankfully so, as when the winter moves in it’s tougher for them if they’re too little. They frisk and play with each other but are not tame yet, running for cover if I get too close. Every morning I bring the cats table scraps and they get fresh milk each morning and night. Their protein intake depends on their hunting skills.
God’s animal kingdom is fascinating to me, and I marvel at how each animal is really different, in its own right. From calves to pigs to kitties, we humans get to watch them play, fight and sometimes even cuddle.
(“The Lord is good to all and His mercy is over all that He has made. All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord and all Your saints shall bless You!” Psalms 145:9-10)
Categories
