Eulogy for a good cow

The day finally came that we had to say good-bye to our beloved old milk cow, Girlfriend.  She had been doing better and better as the weather warmed up.  Her arthritis had been bothering her over the winter but the past couple of weeks she had been heading out to our meadow over the creek and enjoying long days soaking up the sunshine and relishing all the new spring grass.  She was on her way back home to the barn when she slipped coming up the incline and fell on her bad side.  She just couldn't get herself up this time.  

She was laid to rest on the grassy banks of the creek, where the wind rustles through the trees and the birds sing, with lilacs tucked into her collar. 

She was such a lovely cow with a sweet and gentle nature.  Just enough mischievousness to give her some spunk and character and make her so endearing.

Oh, how I loved Girlfriend!  

It is surprising how attached one can get to an animal.  Girlfriend taught us a lot about cows.  She was so patient with us.  It's hard not to think that we'll never find another cow quite like Girlfriend.  

Emily and Girlfriend had a special relationship.  Emily knew all of her special "scratchie" places.  

Last summer we let Girlfriend graze all around our yard so we could keep an eye on her.  The ground is more level  and this prevented more stumbles due to her increasing unsteadiness.

Few things promote relaxation than watching a cow chew her cud!

She had a "bad leg" on one side and if she fell on that side she had a hard time getting back up and so we were happy to baby her and prevent any falls that we could.

 Girlfriend loved chewing her cud beneath the mimosa tree.

Silly Girlfriend getting a drink from the kids' swimming pools!

Girlfriend coming to Noah for some affection.

A cow trap!  Girlfriend thought there might be some chicken feed in this run that she could snack on.

Girlfriend was a licker.  She would bathe us with her tongue for as long as we would allow her.

Oh, Girlfriend, you were an enormous blessing to our family and we sure do miss you!  It was an honor to retire you and provide you with peaceful pastures for the end of your life.  Thank you for all you brought to our lives, not just the milk and butter.   

Good-bye, Girlfriend.  Rest in peace.