Baby On Board!!!
☆ September 30, 2010
Daisy is pregnant!
The vet came by yesterday morning to preg test her for the third time ~ attempts one and two via artificial insemination didn’t take and when the second try came up empty, I brought Sir Baby home and let nature handle it. It was getting too expensive and too late in the year to risk another unsuccessful go. (Daisy and Sir Baby are NOT related. She is his adopted mom. Just don’t think about it in human terms.)
After Daisy’s first round with AI, I called the vet and asked, quite seriously, “can I just buy a pregnancy test and hold it under her pee?” It’s a method that would make no sense for ranchers who run hundreds of cows that aren’t pets like Daisy, but it would be ideal for me. Oh, the laughter that came through the phone. No, a pregnancy stick just won’t work on a cow.
Instead, to determine if a cow is pregnant, the vet pays a visit at least 40 days after conception (or hope of conception). He puts on a long long long plastic glove that reaches all the way up to his shoulder. Then he sticks his hand…. oh, there’s no dainty way to describe this. He sticks his hand into her butt, scoops out any poop that might be in the way, and then reaches his whole arm in. From there, he can feel the uterus and can determine if the cow is pregnant and how far along she is. We’re going to have a May baby!
The last time the vet was here to preg test Daisy, he whipped out plastic gloves in a bright flourish ~ they were hot pink and he handed one to me. I immediately put it on. Neon pink plastic slid all the way up my arm, with the excess length forming a ruffle around my shoulder. Mike was with us at the corrals and he looked at me incredulously and said, “Are you gonna try it??”
“No,” I said, “it’s an accessory.”
“Ah,” Mike said, “like Lady Gaga.”
Comments
73 Responses to “Baby On Board!!!”
Leave a Reply
MY NEW BOOK!
More, Elsewhere
- No Tweets Available
September 30th, 2010 @ 8:30 am
So happy to hear it! Great news….and good timing for some good news, eh? Congrats :)
September 30th, 2010 @ 8:34 am
Congratulations! May is good time for a baby.
September 30th, 2010 @ 8:35 am
I really like this entry:)
September 30th, 2010 @ 8:35 am
An accessory, LOL! Congrats to Daisy! She is so sweet, give her a big hug for me:)
September 30th, 2010 @ 8:35 am
I’m not sure what tickles me more–that you wanted to use a pee stick on Daisy (hey, it DOES kind of make sense), or that Mike knows who Lady GaGa is. I take it the latter is a result of your most excellent influence on his life.
September 30th, 2010 @ 8:38 am
Congratulations! Having worked in the world more related to your previous post for all of my professional life, I have found that the natural world is really what life is really about- I agree that palpation is a rather arresting sight. The first time I saw a rather small vet checking a mare I thought he was going to disappear inside her! Enjoy you life with critters and people with heart!
September 30th, 2010 @ 8:46 am
Congrats Daisy!!!!!
The image of the pee stick made me chuckle. Years ago my horse had blood in his urine, the only way to get a sample of urine was to follow him around with a mason jar and wait… I was the brunt of many the joke at the barn.
September 30th, 2010 @ 8:50 am
Yaaaayyyy!! :)
September 30th, 2010 @ 8:53 am
LOL! I love the Lady Gaga comment. I also think you should be able to stick a pregnancy test into the pee stream of an animal to see if it’s pregnant. Yay for Daisy being preggers!
September 30th, 2010 @ 9:06 am
I keep quotes around my dorm room. When I’m too stressed out from homework and the like, I read these quotes for motivation and for comic relief so I don’t get too depressed about reading war crimes book.
The following quote will be plastered up on my wall just so I can stay sane.
Mike “Are you gonna try it??”
“No,” I said, “it’s an accessory.”
“Ah,” Mike said, “like Lady Gaga.”
Hope Daisy’s pregnancy produces an awesome calf in the spring!
September 30th, 2010 @ 9:11 am
ahahahaha! oh my. and congrats – nothing like nature to do the job right! wonder if the baby’ll be black & white splotches all over?!
September 30th, 2010 @ 9:14 am
Congrats! Having been around farm animals when I was growing up, I knew where this story was going. Well, right up to Lady Gaga. That was unexpected. LOL
Two things – Just say “NO!” to pink gloves and please, please, please, if it’s a girl, do not name it Lady Gaga!
September 30th, 2010 @ 9:27 am
So its going to be a Daisy / Sir Baby cross!!!! Sir Baby’s Baby! That’s even better than an A.I. baby I think! Wonder what colour it will be?
September 30th, 2010 @ 9:30 am
GUFFAW!!!
LADY GAGA!!!!
That’s totally something RW would say.
Congrats, you darlin’ cow baby quasi-mama!
x
September 30th, 2010 @ 9:49 am
YAY!!!
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:03 am
Daisy looks really good. What a face ! Happy for you.
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:12 am
I remember the first time the vet preg checked one of our cows and I wanted to try it so I was gloved (it was just boring green, though) and when my arm went in to the hilt, the calf raised her head. It was SO awesome to feel that living animal still within the mother.
Thanks for the reminder. And also when my black bull breeds a white cow I usually get a dunn calf. Lovely color the dunns.
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:13 am
Although I’m ’bout to ‘splode with all the comments/quips just begging to be uttered, I’m not touchin’ the Lady Gaga thing with a ten-foot pole – perhaps a ten-foot pole for a pregnancy test, but not for LG.
Congrats!!! What I wouldn’t give to see her calf with that Dr. Seuss top notch. I love it!
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:14 am
Yay!!! Daisy’s pregnant. And ewwwwww on the rest of the details….but very educational. I didn’t know that was how a vet determines pregnancy for a cow. I think I’d prefer the pregnancy stick test : )
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:18 am
Better Daisey than you! ;-) I think I woulda tried a stick, just to see if it really wouldnt work…LOL
We will all be awaiting Lil’Miss Gaga’s arrival in May! ??prediction??
(My daughter just called me 5 minutes before I read this post…she’s due in May too!)
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:25 am
Congrats to you and Daisy!!!
I have an image in my head of Lady GaGa with her arm up a cow and cant stop crackin’ up!
My x’s gf does L. Gaga’s makeup. We are all in a good place, but I must confess that I am now struggling with an impish desire to relate this story….teehee! :)
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:25 am
YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!! So happy for you and the farmily! I can’t wait ’till May!
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:35 am
Hooray! Congratulations to the Farmily! I am totally with Brenda – if the baby is a heifer, you have to name her Lady Gaga! I’m so glad that you have happy news after you had such a bad day earlier this week. It sounds like the universe – like all of us – is on your side.
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:45 am
Nice to have a good chuckle always balances the world out for me. Thanks.
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:48 am
I would love to see the reaction from Ms Gaga if she read this story! Congrats on the new calf, he/she will no doubt have a wonderful farmily with you all. Hope the pregnancy goes well!
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:50 am
Ah, the indelicacies of farm life… But many congratulations to you and the Farmily!
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:53 am
Congratulations! How apropos that Sir Baby should impregnate Daisy.
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:54 am
Hooray! Congrats! and I totally cracked up at the accessory/Lady Gage comments :D Just because you live on a farm doesn’t mean you can’t have style, right? ;)
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:54 am
Gaga, typo
September 30th, 2010 @ 11:00 am
A May baby! What perfect timing, given the astrological sign of Taurus :-) Congratulations!
September 30th, 2010 @ 11:06 am
Daisy looks positively radiant!!!
September 30th, 2010 @ 11:07 am
Leave it to Sir Baby, huh? LOL He’s a regular Casanova. So maybe you’ll get another pretty black baby with him as the daddy … only I kind of hope it’s a girl this time!
September 30th, 2010 @ 11:08 am
OH but you should’ve tried it – my vet walked me through it when my mare was pregnant with my now riding age gelding, Patrick. A tad gross at first but AMAZing! And educational – I had a new respect for my vet after that. Not all science and books – its ton of experience handed down from one vet to another, feel, and intuition too. Never thought about grabbing a glove for myself, however my vet’s gloves are a boring whitish color…
September 30th, 2010 @ 11:16 am
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! And give Daisy a big hug and kiss from me.
This is a great new story line for us to follow this winter.
Well done Daisy.
September 30th, 2010 @ 11:47 am
Congratulations!
And I am still laughing hysterically,
Lady GaGa……………:)
September 30th, 2010 @ 12:38 pm
Congratulations to Daisy and Sir Baby (and you too of course!)
September 30th, 2010 @ 12:46 pm
Congratulations!!!! A new member of the farmily….and sure to be a sweet one with the parents it has!! Are you going to take a pic of Daisy every month as she grows?? As in, almost but not quite Daily Daisy?
September 30th, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
Congratulations! Can we have a baby cow shower for Daisy? Love yours and Mike’s sense of humor.
September 30th, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
ewwwwwwwwwwwwww
September 30th, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
So will this make you a “grandma”? :) so glad you got some good news after yesterdays post.
September 30th, 2010 @ 1:55 pm
Congrats to the Farmily!!
Should be an awesome calf.
I agree, can’t believe that Mike knows who Lady Gaga is. But kudos to him for knowing. I know that my cowboy wouldn’t. And I disagree, if the calf is a cow then I think you should name her Lady Gaga to remember the day. Best of luck to Daisy. Sir Baby already got his day!
September 30th, 2010 @ 2:09 pm
Congrats on the good news! I hope it’s a girl for the sake of your milk stores.
I do have a funny image in my head of Sir Baby hopping off of Daisy and then going underneath for a drink. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
You are going to have a bunch of cows that are half-siblings next year. Is there another bull around to mate them when it is time?
September 30th, 2010 @ 2:09 pm
Yay! Happy news! WOW I am guessing Daisy might like a cow pee stick rather than the traditional option.
September 30th, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
OH MY GOSH!! I ran across you by accident and am going to have to subscribe to you!! This is great!
September 30th, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
Congratulations! So pleased for you :)
September 30th, 2010 @ 3:02 pm
Congratulations! Can’t wait to see the new baby next spring!
September 30th, 2010 @ 4:19 pm
Methinks Daisy is in for some extra pampering this winter. Congratulations all around. (I loved the story.)
September 30th, 2010 @ 4:46 pm
Oh, the farmily life… XD
Seriously, though. When you love animals, you and the people you know will do some crazy things to take care of them.
Ever wanted to know how to sex a snake? Well,to keep things simple, you don’t want to know… D:
September 30th, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
Yay! Congratulations, Shreve. And to Daisy. Frisco is going to have a baby bro/sis now! Good luck to you and Daisy, let’s hope all goes smoothly.
September 30th, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
Yay! Congratulations! You’re gonna have your own herd soon!
… I didn’t mean to use so many exclamation points, I guess I’m just excited! (!)
September 30th, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
Congratulations! This gave me a laugh when I really needed it, thanks. : )
September 30th, 2010 @ 6:09 pm
Congrats, Daisy! Congrats, Shreve! Ya’ll are going to be new mamas!
Great story, too. :D
September 30th, 2010 @ 6:36 pm
*YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY NEWS!! SO WONDERFUL AFTER ALL THE BAD! A MAY BABY! CONGRATULATIONS!
September 30th, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
Congratulations to you and to Daisy!
You deserve some good news.
September 30th, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
Congrats to all.
I kinda remember asking why Sir Baby couldn’t do the honors before and you said because he’s beef and she’s milk. I guess (lack of) money won out over nature?
I’m sure the baby will be cute.
Coincidentally, we had a bovine visit at school today. I heard it over the loud speaker and was able to get out at recess just in time before they left. I missed the presentation but got pictures of Marge in her trailer with the open sides, and Dottie, the calf in a halter just tied to the back before she was put in the truck. Dottie even gave me a few kissed (she was bottle fed) and let me pet her head. They were both very sweet. Marge and Dottie are the cow ambassadors from the dairy this year. They’ll visit the schools. (The guy said because they’ll be used to the truck, the kids, the routine, etc.)
I thought of Daisy, even though these were the black and white cows.
Both Marge and Dottie even looked at me and smiled for the camera.
September 30th, 2010 @ 9:41 pm
OMG. Ok, I decided to google “cow pregnancy test strips” and low and behold… there is a cow pregnancy test strip. You test a few drops of their milk. Here’s one of the companies that does it…
http://gobiappu.en.ec21.com/
Oh man… ;)
September 30th, 2010 @ 10:42 pm
lmao. Congratulations. It’s funny how those brilliant moments in life seem to arrive at the most opportune times. Enjoy getting ready for your new arrival.
Regarding MC’s comment: it’s ironic how they pay attention to pop culture details even when they pretend that they don’t. . . you should have taken a photo of your accessory.
October 1st, 2010 @ 5:33 am
I don’t know why…Mike/Lady Gaga…are still stuck in my head *LOL* OH, Daisy-Sir Baby, a baby…that’s AWESOME!
October 1st, 2010 @ 9:20 am
I’m sorry, but I’m going to have “Stacy’s Mom has got it going on” in my head all morning.
October 1st, 2010 @ 9:48 am
I think Mike needs to be equipped with a point’n shoot so he can document your accessories :)
Congrats to you and Daisy. Maybe Sir Baby has a recessive white gene and the baby will be white!
October 1st, 2010 @ 10:10 am
score one for mother nature!
congratulations and all the best to daisy for a healthy pregnancy & baby.
October 1st, 2010 @ 10:40 am
Woo hoo! Congratulations!!!
Next time around, check out Bio-Tracking. It’s a simple, cheap blood test you can do at 30 days.
http://www.biotracking.com/
The accessories aren’t nearly as cool, though ;)
October 1st, 2010 @ 11:14 am
I decided I wanted to become a vet when I saw a calf inside its mother on a 5x10m screen at university ;) I’m starting my studies next year :)
Congratulations Daisy & Sir Baby <3
October 1st, 2010 @ 11:17 am
Awesome! Congrats!
October 1st, 2010 @ 11:44 am
I think we shoudl have a baby shower, congrats!
October 1st, 2010 @ 12:25 pm
Ok May 17th that is my guess and my bday. I love the pee test theory, make ya wonder if a vet has ever tried it in secret to see if it works so HE won’t have to stick his arm up a cow. Loved Mike’s Lady Gaga comment, way funny I am still chuckling. Please do not name the baby Gaga though if its a girl, it just is not dignified. I remember my first pair of herefords, Lil Abner and Daisy Mae… what a long time ago~
October 1st, 2010 @ 2:21 pm
Congratulations!!
October 1st, 2010 @ 2:31 pm
Lets not forget Monsieur Ricardo here, he is going to have a new baby to take care of. So much work for the little guy.
October 1st, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
This is great news! Can’t wait!
October 1st, 2010 @ 8:00 pm
Yippity, skippety. A baby, don’t you just love it? Did you get to see the ultrasound? I got to see my foal, little miss Pixie, with her weensie, legs and tail, kicking away from the ultrasound. She was so cute and so determined. I hope you get to see something like that. They can do it at the 60 month marker. Please keep us informed.
October 2nd, 2010 @ 10:01 am
Hi Shreve…. found your website about a year ago. Love them both (websites). Very much enjoy your cast of characters (Ricardo cracks me up and LOVE Daisy & of course Charlie). Also enjoy your unique slant on things…. city girl turned country gal- makes me stop and remember how blessed we all are. Please stay strong and don’t let the Sick-Os invade your peace. Lock & Load, Baby!!!!
October 3rd, 2010 @ 1:14 am
Maia.
60 month marker? That would be a 5 year gestation. Even 60 weeks would be 15 months.
Might you mean at 6 months?
July 29th, 2017 @ 1:34 pm
Bee As Sweet As Honey Checkbook Cover
[…] eaking, they are incredible mothers. A cow will do anything for her baby. Th […]