Cows are Cool
Since I’m on such a “cow kick” these days . . .
Do you know what a “doddie” is? How about a “hummlie?” Fun to pronounce! These are what the black cattle of northeast Scotland are called – the Aberdeen Angus breed that was developed in the early 19th Century. A gentleman named Hugh Watson is considered to be the founder of the breed. His favorite bull, Old Jock, was given the first number in the Scotch Herd Book, which was founded in 1862.
Aberdeen Angus cattle are naturally polled, which means they are born without horns. Interestingly, this genetic trait is passed on through the females. Although they are usually black they can also be red in color and like Molly, the protagonist in my picture book, THE MOLLYS B., they can have some white markings. (Molly is known as a Brockle-face Angus.) Aberdeen Angus are hearty bovines, displaying their good-natured dispositions by being undemanding and adaptable. They are also hardy and can withstand harsh weather.
Not unlike other breeds, Aberdeen Angus make marvelous mothers. Graced with strong maternal instincts, she will go above and beyond to protect her baby. She calves easily, each year producing a calf that is more than half her body weight. “An Angus mother puts her all into her calf, producing an abundance of milk right up to weaning.” (I got this fact straight from The Cattle Site)
More cow facts: Cows are social animals and enjoy life-long bonds with their families and friends. They enjoy swimming (!) and learn from one another through observation. They have a remarkable sense of smell and particularly good vision called “panoramic” that helps them watch for predators. They keep track of one another by “mooing” but also communicate through posture and facial expressions. Cattle can live to be 25 years old.
Molly was a Brockle-faced Angus also known as a “Baldie.” She was roughly 11 years old when she died. She probably could have lived longer, but following her escape from the slaughterhouse in 2006, she’d experienced some stressful living conditions, which likely affected her overall health.
Photo Credit: Staff Photographer Robin Loznak, Great Falls Tribune/Associated Press Archives
The first sanctuary where she lived for about five years may have been established with the best of intentions, as I believe so many of these enterprises are. Unfortunately, the owners of the Montana Large Animal Sanctuary & Rescue, located in the northwestern part of the state, were alleged to have mismanaged funds. In absence of a realistic plan for caring for 1200 animals - horses, cattle, llamas, sheep, goats, pigs, bison, chickens, geese, and even a camel - were not provided with basic veterinary care let alone food. Many animals were starving when authorities intervened. Many had to be euthanized. Molly – the survivor we know her to be, survived this ordeal and was moved to another sanctuary south of Missoula.
The co-founder of New Dawn Montana Sanctuary in Stevensville, Leeland Eakins, says Molly was shy and underweight when she arrived. “When I remember Molly, the thing that makes me smile is having gotten to watch her transformation from a nervous wreck into a calm animal just by being treated with kindness. Molly had a sweet tooth, and my wife won her over with apples.” When this sanctuary was also forced to closed due to the death of Sue Eakins, Molly was moved a third time to The Last Best Place for Animals Sanctuary in Helena, Montana where she peacefully lived out her life, dying in 2015.
I have found myself trying to imagine this cow’s thoughts during her life as she was forced to adjust to her environments. Because she was dependent upon the people caring for her, done well or not, I envision her looking at the world with stoicism and patience - resignation perhaps? Perhaps these are cow virtues? Regardless, when you are completely at the mercy of someone else’s decisions, and have no self-determination, what’s left but “surrender?”
