Did you know earlier this week was Cow Appreciation Day?  I’m way overdue in letting the Cows, who lived on our street, know how much I appreciated them.  So late, in fact, they’ve left the neighborhood months ago!  I truly do miss them.  They were a huge part of our routine, and yet like most “routine” things they were sadly taken for granted and unappreciated.

Each day on neighborhood patrol we would walk to their field.  Most days Asa and I would give them a tail wag, and continued on our way.  On hot days the Cows would seek shelter in the cool woods adjacent to their field.  And in the winter they would hunker down in the safety of their barn during the fierce nor’easters.  Sometimes the Cows would stop their grazing to join us for a walk along the fence line.  When I was puppy, there would always be a calf or two who wanted to play.  Together we would skip and jump on our respective sides of the fence, while Momma Cow and Daddy Bull kept a watchful eye on us.  Despite their big size, they were gentle creatures, who welcomed Momma Fox and her family to play in their field every spring.  Once we even saw a fawn grazing by their side.  Yet the Bulls were also protective of their herd when coyotes and Golden Wolves were in the area.

In fact, Lemmy almost got to meet one Bull up close!  It was early in the morning, and he and Dad were barely awake doing their neighborhood patrol.  In the distance Dad could see the Bull grazing in an unusual spot.  He thought to himself, “that’s odd. I never realized the fence extended that far.”  Well as he approached he realized the Bull had escaped his enclosure!  Now this Bull and Lemmy had some history together.  He would always stare at Lemmy, grunt, and even occasionally stomp his hoof as they passed.  So Dad was immediately afraid the Bull would use his new found freedom to let Lemmy know what he really thought of him!  Luckily, Lemmy was more focused on a stick he was carrying, and didn’t notice the Bull.

Dad carefully backed away from the Bull, while also formulating a plan of which tree he’d climb should the animal charge.  After that day, Dad forever apologized to Lemmy for not including him in that plan, but what could he do?  Outrunning a Bull wasn’t an option.  However, just like the Bull, Lemmy couldn’t climb trees.  Well luckily that day, the Bull was busy enjoying the delicious meadow grass.  So much so, that he didn’t even notice Lemmy or Dad.  Also luckily for Dad, just as he was at a safe distance and about to call the Police and report a random Bull, the farmer and some help arrived to round up the wayward diner.

That encounter was the closest any of us ever got to the Cows.  As time progressed the herd dwindled to one female and two males.  Then just like that, they were gone.  Mom and Dad continue to hold out hope that someday the Cows will return.  One reason my parents moved here is because the rural neighborhood reminded them of the farm near their childhood homes.  But I fear, just like our horse neighbors who moved away years ago, these friends are now just a memory.  I’m sorry Cows for taking you for granted!  Thank you for being our friends!