"A Tale Of Two Hooves"

 “A Tale of Two Hooves”.

As the sun was setting, Daisy was settling,
Well trying to anyway.
 Usually a gregarious creature by nature, now isolating in a corner of the meadow.
You see, it all began a little over nine months ago, when Daisy broke out and met up with Conor Grady’s Big Black Bull, which could very well have been a recipe for disaster.
 As a heavy calf at birth, is not good news for a first time heifer!
As the moment approached, her Beautiful Big, Brown eyes began to register distress.  High pitched moo`s, caused restlessness among the herd, suggesting Daisy be guided quietly and calmly towards the shed, where in preparation, John had spread a warm bed of fresh straw.
Followed by a little circle dance, she decided on a nice patch and settled down, with obvious unease, rises again repeating this ritual three more times.
 Heavy labor breathing, now signaling intense and frequent contractions.
her waters broke, followed by two hooves, then the nose, all positioned beautifully.
Daisy arched her back once more, stretching her neck, gave one last push.
Daisy, being a first time mother, not sure what she’d just done, gets up, stares and walks past.
she’s not taking to him at all, is she?
Laying almost lifeless, our little calf needed a jump start.
Now!  John intervenes.  firmly massaging him with straw so as to stimulate blood flow, while I milk some beestings in order to strengthen, and encourage him.
 Daisy looks on, as if she couldn’t care less.
Four hours later, she decides she wants that 70lb ball of black fur, and agrees to let him suck.
Thank God Daisy came to her sense’s, as she could have been the laughing stock of the herd.
We feel so blessed to have experience this birth, the true beauty of God`s amazing creation.
 well done Daisy!

Miriam O` Donohoe.