The OK Corral
☆ August 14, 2012
The last I wrote about the Farmily was the tragic loss of Daisy’s newborn calf. Thank you to everyone who expressed concern for Daisy ~ I didn’t even address that side of things because it was too sad for me to write about ~ Daisy loves being a mother. I did what I could to minimize her loss by making sure she had companionship ~ Sir Baby has been in one section of the corral since his injury, as confinement is an important part of his healing process, and I had Daisy in another section of the corral for the week leading up to her due date so I could keep a close eye on her. Since I wanted to continue to monitor Daisy and since Baby is healing so well, I opened up the two sections in the corral so that Daisy and Baby were together, and we brought in the ancient matriarch cow, who is over 20 years old and a total badass, and one orphaned calf, whose mother died this spring, to join Daisy and Sir Baby in the corral.
The Matriarch was part of the Special Project cows who roamed the home place, but since it’s been so dry, we moved the Special Project bunch, including Fiona and Frisco, to grassier pastures just down the road. Though the matriarch can get around surprisingly well, trailing her to the new pasture with the rest of the group seemed a bit much. She has been a strong, gentle presence in the corrals with Daisy. The orphan calf has been weaned for two months since he lost his mother, but I had hopes that he and Daisy might connect. Unfortunately, he wasn’t at all interested in milk anymore. The most essential part of making an unmatched cow-calf pair is the calf’s drive to nurse. You can help manipulate all the other elements, but you can’t force that. When I saw that connection was futile, I told my vet that I was looking for a bum calf ~ it’s not the season for calves, but one never knows what might pop up and my vet is hooked into everything.
But back to Sir Baby and Daisy for a moment. For new readers, I bought Daisy from a dairy. She’d calved about three months before I got her, so she was in milk, and she was bred back (pregnant with Frisco). Cows are mammals, not machines, and must have a calf annually in order to make milk. Dairy protocol is to remove the calves from their mothers immediately (veal is a “by-product” of the dairy industry), so Daisy had never raised a calf when I got her. I was pretty overwhelmed with milking when I got Daisy, and I wanted a bum calf to help me with the excess milk. A neighbor happened to have a freakish love triangle occur with some of his cows ~ one cow had a calf, and all was normal. Then another cow had twins and accepted one of them, which is also normal. The first cow abandoned her calf and adopted the other twin! Very weird. But it was fate. That abandoned calf was Sir Baby. I still remember going to pick him up and sitting with him in the backseat of Mike’s truck on the ride home. Daisy was NOT interested in being a mother when I introduced them; she didn’t know, she had only been milked by machines, and then by me. But baby Sir Baby was determined to nurse, and after about a week, Daisy clicked into motherhood and she and Sir Baby still have an incredible bond to this day ~ they are family. In the days following her calf’s death, I’d often find Daisy licking Sir Baby’s neck and shoulders, tending to him as her first son, and the connection they share seemed to really help Daisy with the absence of her newest calf.
My vet called me on Thursday afternoon announcing he had a calf waiting for me to pick up. Buying bum calves at the sale ring is risky business because you generally don’t know what their first hours and days were like ~ how was the birth? Did they get colostrum? So many factors can affect whether a calf becomes a strong, healthy youngster or expires early, as proven with Daisy’s calf. But the stars aligned in this case ~ a rancher brought two dozen “cull cows” to the sale barn on Wednesday night for Thursday’s sale. Some of these cows were pregnant, and one of them had her baby that night, between midnight and 6 am. Cull cows are generally fine cows, just older ~ as I’ve written before, most ranchers sell their cows when they reach a certain age. Older cows are generally excellent mothers, so it’s likely this calf nursed and got her first dose of colostrum right after the birth. My vet bought the calf for me before the sale began, and I’m grateful beyond words that this cow’s last act was to provide Daisy and me with her beautiful baby. I had given my vet a gallon of Daisy’s colostrum as a thank you for coming out in the middle of the night to help with Daisy’s breech birth, so she was bottle fed Daisy’s colostrum throughout the day until Mike and I got there to pick her up.
Daisy was less than thrilled. Cows have very strong instincts to not allow any calf but their own to nurse ~ doing so would jeopardize their own baby, and this instinct carries even when that baby dies. So, twice a day, I put Daisy in the head catch with a bunk full of gourmet hay and let the calf drink her fill before I milked. A head catch is not a torture device ~ it’s a levered metal apparatus that closes around a cow’s neck but doesn’t actually touch her. Cow’s necks are wide when viewed from the side but incredibly narrow when viewed from above. The head catch has two curved panels that close around the cow’s neck but leave a hole ~ if you touch your pointer fingers together and your thumbs together, this is the shape of the hole it leaves. It’s not tight against the cow’s narrow neck but she can’t pull her wide head through the opening. I use this every day when I milk; it keeps Daisy comfortable but relatively still.
I wasn’t worried about this routine lasting forever, as Daisy and I went through this exact process with Sir Baby when he was a calf ~ at first, Daisy would only stand for him in the head catch, but after about a week, something switched inside Daisy and he was HERS. And today, that switch happened again. I went to the corral this morning and saw that one of Daisy’s teats was already pulled down (all the milk in that quarter had been drunk) and the calf was full and dozing. We have a love match! The calf is amazing ~ she adored Daisy from the start ~ and she’s huge. At one day old she looked like she was a month old, and now at a week old she looks three months old. She has her health, she has a new mother, and now all she needs is a name!
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190 Responses to “The OK Corral”
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August 14th, 2012 @ 9:41 pm
Dukes!!
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:04 pm
She looks very much like a Cody to me. :)
I’m so glad the whole farmily is doing well. <3
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:12 pm
Midnight-or conversely, Dawn. You could also name her Comet, since she was born near the time of the Perseid meteor shower.
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:19 pm
She is beautiful. So good to hear all is going well.
Hmm, if you are considering names,
Poppy
Applepuff
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:21 pm
Shreve…Such an emotional read!! The feeling that your writing evokes is amazing. The name of this new calf should be LUCKY because that’s what she is! What would have happened to her if she had been born one day later? Death? Veal? But now she has a loving mom (Daisy), her health, and is so lucky to belong to your Farmily now. That’s why Lucky is the perfect name for her.<3<3<3
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:23 pm
Names? Lela or Cari! :)
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:24 pm
It seems that an orphan should be called “Annie,” but she’s not an orphan any more. Go Daisy! And bless you for the loving, dedicated care you give these animals.
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:29 pm
she looks like a Fern to me
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:30 pm
Just when I think I’ve heard the most amazing farmily story, there’s more.
This is such a great outcome from what started out being a very sad situation.
Thank you for the update.
She’s really cute!
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:40 pm
Love that story. That little girl calf looks like a Frankie to me.
August 14th, 2012 @ 10:47 pm
Awe – so happy to hear this!
I’ll throw the name Mae into the ring!
August 14th, 2012 @ 11:11 pm
Great story i needed something relaxing to read after being out of town and returning home late and way too energized. Gonna hate to get up early and go to work in the morning.
Had to think a bit but I will throw the name Artemis into the hat – lover of animals and the serenity found in Nature.
Congrats on your new addition to the farmily.
August 14th, 2012 @ 11:11 pm
Thanks for sharing that story. Always interested in your family. For a name, how about Maddie.
August 14th, 2012 @ 11:20 pm
How about “Amber”
August 14th, 2012 @ 11:29 pm
It all seems to fall together with practice. Happy farmily! Maybe another flower-themed name? Petunia? Rose? Iris? Can’t wait to hear who she ends up to be!
August 14th, 2012 @ 11:56 pm
As long as we’re talking Perseids … Andromeda? (Here speaks the classics nerd.) She looks beautiful enough to piss off the daughters of a sea god. And with those legs, she could probably kick the sea monster into submission all by herself; no passing hero required.
August 15th, 2012 @ 12:01 am
Hip-hip Hurrah, for Shreve the Bovine Sentry!
Good work, Lady [and to all those involved as well].
August 15th, 2012 @ 12:16 am
What an amazing story!! Given the circumstances,how about Mercy?
August 15th, 2012 @ 12:20 am
moofy aka smurf aka the smurfster
August 15th, 2012 @ 1:01 am
How about Faith, as you’re learning to trust Nature’s process…
August 15th, 2012 @ 1:07 am
Grace or Gracie, or Nicki (for saved in the nick of time)
Lovely care you give your farmily – heartwarming to read.
August 15th, 2012 @ 2:35 am
To me she looks like Chocolate
August 15th, 2012 @ 2:58 am
Rerun, seeing that you have already seen this episode once. She is a cute, so happy that the two of them got a happy beginning…because this is far from the ending.
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:04 am
Serendipity
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:13 am
Yay for Daisy and for her new little girl!!! I am so happy for them both and what a wonderful ending.
A name, a name…. Charlotte, Sophie, Sweetie, Emily, Blossom, Dumpling, Chloe, Daphne, Holly, Olivia, Sweet Pea.
What is her personality? Calm and demur, feisty and playful or is it just too soon to tell.
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:37 am
Rosie, in honor of the kick-ass truck driver!
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:37 am
Given your penchant for the syrup…Maple!
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:38 am
Rosie, in honor of the kick-ass truck driver’s truck!
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:57 am
Comet, Midnight, Rosie, echoing these. So glad Daisy has a new adoptive calf <3
August 15th, 2012 @ 4:24 am
I second Charlotte’s idea of Fern for a name. ‘Tis is lovely!
August 15th, 2012 @ 4:33 am
In Sweden old cows had real names. These days when a farmer must hawe minimum 100 milking cows and 200 at rise, they ar numbered after an european standard. Totaly annonymus.
OK typical names was:
Majros
Gullros
Stjärna
Gullöga
Rosa
Best wishes to you all :-)
August 15th, 2012 @ 5:09 am
Tabitha, or Daphne, or Charlotte
August 15th, 2012 @ 5:58 am
Clover (as in four-leaf, for good fortune).
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:08 am
She is a beautiful calf..I love it when you relate an event with a happy ending. I realise they don’t all end happy, but this one did..Hooorah…this is a true match, so how about calling her Tru…..
Good luck, and Bravo to you Shreve for putting this all together for the animals…
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:29 am
Every time I read your blog, I want to live on a ranch more than anything.
My vote for Moira, after the Greek goddesses, Moirai – the fates.
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:37 am
Ah Shreve. I love you. In the way that means I wish there were more people in the world like you! What a world it would be.
As for a name. I do like Lyn’s idea of Clover (for good fortune.)
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:38 am
What about Lady? As a match to Sir Baby since their beginnings with Daisy are so similar…and they’re both a solid black/brown.
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:52 am
Blessing.
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:06 am
I like Rosie after your driver.
Some others:
godsend
windfall
genesis
jennie
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:13 am
My two cents on the name:
Nyathera is African and means She Survived.
Or Gloria (maybe Glory) as in Gloria Gaynor, singer of I Will Survive.
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:15 am
Amber, Amelia, Belle, Brandy, Gwendolyne, Maeve, Niki, Tabitha
Does the old matriarch have a name? It should be something elegant and dignified.
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:20 am
You have saved the day, again! It is awesome that you are so in tune with your family.
My cat family also has a Fiona. Earlier this year we adopted a Ruby, and Fiona groomed and nursed her like she was her own baby. I had never seen that happen before, and they were so sweet and happy.
So, if Ruby doesn’t suit your new little girl, may Cocoa would?
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:26 am
I’m going to go out on a boring limb here, and suggest either Fudge or Brownie for a name.
What can I say? I’m in a chocolate mood this morning. :o)
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:30 am
Wow, so many great suggestions for names already…
I love Fern, Daphne, Glory, Comet, and Dawn.
My ideas: Darling, Mira(as in Miracle), Cocoa, Mocha, Lady Dawn, or Lady-something…
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:33 am
Wonderful story as always!
For a name, perhaps Yuna? It has 2 different meanings, one is “to tie the knot” which I thought would be neat as her and Daisy have tied the knot so to speak in their relationship. A more distant meaning is night/moon which mimics her beautiful dark coat. OH! And it can carry across the field when calling as I know is important too!
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:33 am
How about Betsy?
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:38 am
Such a blessed outcome — how about Bliss?
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:38 am
Dutchess – Dutch for short. She is bold and strong.
I am so glad you described a head catch. I have helped vacinate Dad’s small herd a few times and knew exactly what you were talking about.
And Gourmet Hay….. :) Love that. Dad’s babies eat it all winter. They are so spoiled. (They are currently eating pears off the tree from our storms Sunday night…..)
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:40 am
There are lots of great choices, how about Penelope?
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:41 am
Lovely – because she is.
(Though I like Rosie and Midnight as well from above opinions)
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:42 am
I’m so thankful to hear about this calf, I felt terrible for Daisy. It’s nice that she is happy again.
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:54 am
You truly do know how to make me smile with your stories. Thank you!
What about Abby?
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:02 am
Maybe Athena
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:02 am
Didn’t you tell us her name? You said “The calf is amazing.” Amazing sounds like a good name to name.
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:06 am
Melissa beat me to it…LUCKY! There really can’t be any other name for this calf.
Think of how it all came about that this animal is now with you and the first word that springs to mind is lucky.
your stories never fail to move me emotionally, for happy or sad. but there never is any indifference to anything you write, Shreve. thank you for this particularly happy story.
now good luck to all of you with this gorgeous addition !
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:13 am
How about Dulce or Dulcie, from dulce con leche. The literal translation* fits, I think, as does the lovely caramel color of her coat.
*sweet with milk
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:19 am
Sindy!
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:20 am
Rosie is a great way to think of the awesome truck driver – but could be confusing. How about Rose?
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:22 am
I think she looks like a “Flower” :)
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:28 am
I liked the Mercy suggestion and in the rhythm of Daisy will suggest Maisy as it seems to fit a cow.
I saw on the news last night that some farmer was buying stale candy bars and grinding them up into the food for his cows to fatten them up. Thank god for you Shreve.
I’m still hung up on zucchini but couldn’t wring a name out of it lol. Glad Daisy is ok. Good luck picking a name.
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:30 am
Great story and happy ending. She is so beautiful, Thanks,
How about Cocoa or Mocha?
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:39 am
My new favorite name that represents a strong female survivor… Katniss…..
I do love a happily ever after!!!!
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:44 am
I was going to suggest Sabrina (“save me, Sabrina fair?” –watched it over the weekend) but I love the idea of naming her Clover.
In any case, I adore your stories. I am a city girl through and through but I love living the country life through your eyes and heart.
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:51 am
Name her Lily. It means “boundless love” in flower speak.
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:56 am
My first thought was Annie, but maybe Layla? It refers to the Arabic term for night. So happy you have found each other!
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:09 am
The name Felicity comes from felix: happiness in Latin. Felicitous is defined as having happy circumstances – seems like her arrival in your lives was a stroke of felicity.
Whatever her name is, I’m happy for all of you.
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:10 am
Love the story and so happy Daisy has bonded with the orphaned calf. How about Cocoa for a name?
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:28 am
Sparkle!
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:29 am
I like COCOA. Your stories are filled with such emotion, it feels like I’m right there in the moment, smell and all. Always look forward to reading your posts and seeing your pictures.
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:30 am
What a wonderful tale. Thank you for sharing your heart and farmily with us.
I read your posts, view your pics, and truly enjoy every morsel you dole out.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:33 am
Wow! Glad everything has worked out for you and Daisy!
I’d call the calf “Lucky”– because she was!
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:39 am
The first name that came to my head was LUCKY (clearly the same for Melissa and pam!). I do like Cocoa, Fern, and Brownie as well though :) So so glad this has all worked out I was concerned that sweet Daisy would be bereft. Thanks again for sharing.
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:41 am
OH! Happy Day! I imagine all of your cyber friends have been trying to figure out how to make this sad fact of life, OK. I am so glad this little Lovie has come to live at your happy farmily. I
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:44 am
Cassandra “Cassie” – Shinning on Mankind ;-)
I am in love with this story!
Beautiful.
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:45 am
She is so adorable! I’m sure you will come up with the most fitting name. I love your blog and have learned so much about cows from you. The farmily is so lucky to have you!
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:57 am
Oh-oh how about Vallie = Strong & Healthy!!
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:15 am
“MOOSE”…….she’s got the color & apparently the size too!
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:23 am
This morning, before I got to the computer, I was thinking about calf names for you (don’t ask why, I have no idea) and I thought of Ruby. I just seems to have that musical quality that lends itself to be said softly or called loudy across the pasture. I can’t really tell if the calf is more red or brown. If red, Ruby would really fit so that would fit. Another thought, for no particular reason is Velvet, just because she looks velvety:)
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:23 am
i vote for Lucy as in Lucy RICARDO, that way the chain continues !
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:32 am
Melissa called it first; LUCKY! Congrats, Shreve! So glad this story had a happy ending.
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:38 am
To me…her name should be “Belle”.
She rang everybody’s bell, and it’s such a nice calf name…Thank you for the story. I didn’t have time to spend on the computer this morning, but I spent it anyway! Thank you!
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:52 am
I like Belle (beautiful) also. And Babette.
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:53 am
“the stars aligned” … how about Ali
now i have to go read the other comments to see if anyone has already said this :)
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:56 am
Amazing news, I’m so happy it worked out! I’m bad with names unless the animal isn’t own but I know you’ll pick the perfect one, or she’ll tell you :)
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:56 am
What about Corral? Or Cora. :)
August 15th, 2012 @ 10:57 am
Wow, stupid iPad autocorrect – unless the animal is my own is what I meant to write
August 15th, 2012 @ 11:08 am
I, too, thought ‘Lucky”. LUCKY!
August 15th, 2012 @ 11:20 am
I thought LUCKY too! Lucky calf to end up with you and the farmily!!!
August 15th, 2012 @ 11:38 am
Miss Hershey.
August 15th, 2012 @ 11:39 am
You could follow up on “She is amazing”, and call her Mazie! Also because she followed an intricate maze in her first hours of life and found her way safely home!
August 15th, 2012 @ 12:06 pm
How about Mabel? In old French, it’s “ma belle” or my beautiful/beloved. It might sound good over calling distances, too.
I love a lot of the names people have put up here:
Clover
Lucky
Rosa
Lady
Mercy
August 15th, 2012 @ 12:12 pm
Following the floral idea with Daisy, might I suggest Rose, Lily, or Flower? Also, Black-eyed Sue, or Belle? :) Best wishes with the new farmily member!
August 15th, 2012 @ 12:13 pm
I was thinking she looked like a Mabel/Mable. The name means loveable and also thought you could call her Mae for short to go along with Daisy:)
Congrats on the addition to your lovely farmily.
August 15th, 2012 @ 12:14 pm
On the silly side, what about How Now Brown as in “How Now Brown and the Moo Wave” a new wave muppet rock band from Sesame Street. :)
Bonus: You could practice your elocution while you called to her.
August 15th, 2012 @ 1:05 pm
great story :) Miracle for her name!!!!
August 15th, 2012 @ 1:13 pm
Andromeda, Andie for short. :) such a cutie.
August 15th, 2012 @ 1:43 pm
Lotus – I love the meaning of the word in Buddhism.. “rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment”
Thank you for your story :) As always love to the Farmily.
:)
August 15th, 2012 @ 2:15 pm
How bout Prim (primrose) after(Katness Everdeen’s sister)
August 15th, 2012 @ 2:18 pm
Daisy is an amazing Momma! You are amazing, as well. For the same reasons that Danielle (#37) gave, I think Lady would be a wonderful and appropriate name – Lady Baby (Lady for short). I am so looking forward to watch this one grow up, too. BTW, how is Fiona doing? Haven’t heard much about or seen much of her lately.
Shreve, you do such an amazing job with all the members of your farmily.
August 15th, 2012 @ 2:30 pm
How about Minnie? (though it sounds like she’s going to be a maxi!)
August 15th, 2012 @ 2:58 pm
What a charming story!
— Grace
— Mercy or Mercie
— Mazie for Amazing
— name her after your vet, after all he’s the one that found her!
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:01 pm
She is so cute! “Lola” comes to mind when I see that cute nose! Good luck!
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:07 pm
so good to hear Daisy is doing well, and has a new baby to nurture! And also wonderful to hear she and Sir Baby are still bonded
Name for new calf….hmmmm. She looks like a Baby Beulah to me. But I’m sure she will reveal her personality soon enough, and with it her name!
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:16 pm
She is a beautiful girl.
She looks like a Penelope to me.
I like a name that has lots of possible nicknames for all of the different emotions you feel for an animal depending on the situation.
Penny,Penne,Nelly,Nell-Nell,Lope,Lo-Lo,Penell,Penelly,endless possibilities!
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:18 pm
Beautiful baby, beautiful story.
May I suggest ‘Hope’. That name is very dear to me and it just seems to suit her and the situation.
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:32 pm
Shreve, you made me smile with this! I am glad that Daisy is ok and has adopted this sweet girl.
Hope, or Faith or Lucky i would say ….
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:38 pm
As soon as I saw rhe calf’s photo, the name “Abigail” popped into my head – “Gai” for short. Otherwise, those who suggested “Clover” get my vote(s). Hope you choose her name soon.
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:44 pm
such great suggestions! I’m loving Mercy and Dulcie. Bella shouts well across a field too. When you were talking about getting Daisy to accept her, I was thinking that you would tell us that you rubbed the baby in zucchini or sugar beet, so she would smell good to Daisy. :-)
August 15th, 2012 @ 3:46 pm
Coco
Glad to hear Daisy gets to play mom again!
August 15th, 2012 @ 4:07 pm
Emma
August 15th, 2012 @ 4:36 pm
I learn so much reading your site and I love how you care for your animals.
Latte
August 15th, 2012 @ 4:44 pm
For a good calling name, how about Stella? hee!
August 15th, 2012 @ 4:59 pm
I agree with Eileen and Heather for the name of “Hope” because your hopeful call was answered…
August 15th, 2012 @ 5:09 pm
Interesting how many responses come up when there is a contest. I like seeing how many are really “behind” the scenes and their comments are refreshing. I’ve seen one other Maisy although she spelled it Mazie which is more in keeping with “amazing” so won’t be DEVASTATED (lol) if you pick her version. I like the suggestion of Ruby because when you call it the name drags out like a Moooooo. Picking must be really tough for you so good luck girl.
August 15th, 2012 @ 5:12 pm
Beyla. The name is thought to be related to the Norsk word for ‘Cow’. She is the protectress of Dairywork.
August 15th, 2012 @ 5:26 pm
Lucky Star, if that hasn’t been suggested already. :-)
August 15th, 2012 @ 5:54 pm
As always, my favorite 3 girl names:
Lucy
Trudy
Ruby
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
How wonderful wonderful for all.
That culled cow’s calf has been given a gift in Daisy as her Mother gave Daisy a gift.
Sir Baby and Daisy. What more can be said that hasn’t been already. Both are so lucky to have you and each other.
Fiona has a step sister.
You’re going to have milk coming out your ears once Fiona and her baby step sister grow up.
And the Matriarch is the Matriarch, blessing all around her.
What kind of cow is the new baby? A dairy cow or a beef cow? Will she be part of your breeding stock for Star Brand?
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:04 pm
Naming contest?
Well with those curls on her head and being orphaned and all…Annie. A natural.
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:16 pm
Since this is a repeat of the Sir Baby experience maybe do a flipside on the female and name her Lady Bébé.
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:21 pm
There were two suggestions for Penelope, and one of those also suggested shortening it to Penny. I second Penny, I couldn’t help but think of the Yeats poem Brown Penny as I read about this calf. A poem of love to match a story of love, a pretty name to match a pretty girl. Since she and Sir Baby are now siblings, you could even go with Lady Penny.
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:49 pm
Tulip!
August 15th, 2012 @ 6:58 pm
I loved this story!!! Made me cry with joy and thought about how wonderful you are Shreve, for all you do for your animals. How sweet you are!
I want to live on a ranch every time I check your blog…which is everyday!!
I agree with Melissa…LUCKY is perfect.
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:42 pm
Two commenters have mentioned Dulcie as a name, which means “sweet”. I would be honored to share my name with that beauty! She could be Dulce de Leche called Dulcie for short. I also like Lady a lot. Lucky seems appropriate except to me it seems more like a boy name. I am so happy that this sad situation for Daisy has turned happy. Congratulations!
August 15th, 2012 @ 7:51 pm
I also vote for “Lady.”
Love and happiness to you and the farmily!
August 15th, 2012 @ 8:30 pm
Yea for a happy endings with sad beginings!
August 15th, 2012 @ 9:59 pm
India
August 15th, 2012 @ 11:28 pm
Awwww…that’s just wonderful! The farmily is all good.
August 15th, 2012 @ 11:43 pm
What fantastic name suggestions, wow!! I can’t wait to hear what you choose. She’s so sooo cute. Congratulations and love to all of you. I look forward to watching her grow up, what a lucky cow!
August 16th, 2012 @ 12:07 am
~Tawny~
August 16th, 2012 @ 12:23 am
I have it! Maybe. Call her Destiny.
August 16th, 2012 @ 12:54 am
I’m so happy a match was made. I was so worried about Daisy.
I think she looks like a Shiloh. And it means either “peaceful” or “his gift” which fits since she was found by your vet. :)
August 16th, 2012 @ 1:57 am
Tulip :).
August 16th, 2012 @ 5:01 am
Carli is a name I heard today — and it really matched its owner — and I love it.
August 16th, 2012 @ 5:14 am
Karma. Things happen for a reason that we don’t always understand when it does. This little one was brought in this world to be with Daisy. What a beautiful calf. Give her a hug for me.
August 16th, 2012 @ 6:17 am
Heatherface – Lady Penny is wonderful!
August 16th, 2012 @ 6:44 am
Hera!
From Wikipedia:
Her archaic association was primarily with cattle, as a Cow Goddess, who was especially venerated in “cattle-rich” Euboea. On Cyprus, very early archaeological sites contain bull skulls that have been adapted for use as masks (see Bull (mythology)). Her familiar Homeric epithet Boôpis, is always translated “cow-eyed”, for, like the Greeks of Classical times, its other natural translation “cow-faced” or at least “of cow aspect” is rejected. A cow-headed Hera, like a Minotaur would be at odds with the maternal image of the later classical period. In this respect, Hera bears some resemblance to the Ancient Egyptian deity Hathor, a maternal goddess associated with cattle.
August 16th, 2012 @ 7:18 am
How about Rue loved her…..
August 16th, 2012 @ 7:45 am
What a lovely story and a gorgeous little calf! I think she looks like a Velvet, and am startled to see I’m not the only one who thinks so!
August 16th, 2012 @ 8:37 am
What a heart warming story. I’m so happy for Daisy and the calf!
August 16th, 2012 @ 8:54 am
She looks chocolatey and Coco comes to mind.
Lovely story. So happy Daisy loves the new baby.
August 16th, 2012 @ 9:39 am
Seeing the picture and the light within the photo, the first line of the Cat Stevens song (which I haven’t thought of in years), “Morning has Broken” comes to mind.
So how about Dawn?
Go Daisy, and bless the newest member of the farmily!
August 16th, 2012 @ 9:41 am
Gottago so have no time to look through the name submissions but the only name that seems fitting to me is ” Lucky”. She is one very very very lucky calf. I’m so sad for her poor Mama.
The things humans do to these poor animals. Saw a blip last night on tv about the horrible poaching of elephants for their ivory. The criminals leave the mama to die slowly, while their babies are left to die slowly with them. I have no idea how one can be so cruel. The story was about one woman who flies over the area and tries to rescue as many as she can. What an angel.
August 16th, 2012 @ 9:44 am
so many of your posts make my eyes leaky. this one is no exception. congratulations to daisy on her new baby! good mama!
congratulations to you as well…you worked hard to “right” a sad situation and did great. :)
August 16th, 2012 @ 11:10 am
I also like ~Mae~ for her.
August 16th, 2012 @ 11:17 am
Angelina…she beautiful, she has had some drama and she is loving..
August 16th, 2012 @ 11:23 am
How about ” Legacy” in honor of the mother cow who gave her life…and you could call her Lacy in honor of Daisy who is saving her life.
August 16th, 2012 @ 11:23 am
Jasmine! :) Jazz for short.
August 16th, 2012 @ 12:59 pm
Faith? It goes along with Frisco and Fiona, and you had “faith” that Daisy would accept her as her own, and Daisy did!
August 16th, 2012 @ 1:05 pm
Great story.
August 16th, 2012 @ 3:57 pm
For her name, ~Miss Lucky~ certainly would be appropriate! How wonderful for her and her new mama Daisy!
August 16th, 2012 @ 6:10 pm
For some reason, she looks like a “Birdie” to me. So glad she’s thriving!
August 16th, 2012 @ 6:38 pm
If the Matriarch of the Herd doesn’t have a name, only a number, I think she needs a name. And Hera or Hathor would be perfect for her.
August 16th, 2012 @ 6:51 pm
Mazie, Mercy, Hope, Andromeda (“Andi”), or Coco.
August 16th, 2012 @ 7:13 pm
I love the idea of naming her Rosie.
But I have to admit that when I saw her, Curly Sue came to mind.
August 16th, 2012 @ 7:27 pm
I haven’t read all of the comments yet, but I think simply:
Hope
because she brought hope and happiness to you and Daisy!
August 16th, 2012 @ 8:24 pm
Star.. after your brand and because she was born at night….
or a proper star name — Gemma Vega Lyra Electra Mira Navi
August 16th, 2012 @ 8:25 pm
Bumsy…that’s her
August 16th, 2012 @ 9:11 pm
What a beautiful calf! I’m glad Daisy is doing well with her. Thanks for the post – very heartwarming :)
August 16th, 2012 @ 10:27 pm
She looks like a Gabrielle.
August 17th, 2012 @ 12:54 am
She is beautiful! So happy for Daisy to have another baby to mother!
I think “Grace” or gracie” for a name.
August 17th, 2012 @ 7:08 am
Lovin the name Sassafrass, Sassy, Sass :)
August 17th, 2012 @ 8:08 am
Just want to thank you for you! Your blog often brings tears to my eyes-because of its beauty. I use it to teach my 6 children about stewarding God’s creation. You do that! Our hearts are reached by your excellent care for your animals-What an inspiration you are-
Keep it coming! Yay for Daisy mama and can’t wait to hear the name of the babe-
August 18th, 2012 @ 9:07 am
Whie wasting my morning away sitting outside on a gorgeous day drinking coffee from my red dirt in my soul mug, I reread the calve’s story and still think only Lucky could b her name. :-) I tell all my rescued animals daily just how lucky they r to have ended up w me.
August 18th, 2012 @ 9:09 am
And I can’t wait for an opportunity to have your beef make it to Chicagoland/ midwest
August 18th, 2012 @ 3:02 pm
I submit Milagro (miracle in Spanish). So happy Daisy gets to channel her maternal energy to a baby who needs her.
August 19th, 2012 @ 6:37 am
How about Olivia?
August 19th, 2012 @ 9:29 am
I’m adding my vote for ‘Fern’, as well…
August 19th, 2012 @ 12:30 pm
Assuming it hasn’t already been suggested … how about Milagra (Spanish for ‘miracle’)? And yes, my eyes are strangely moist right now.
August 19th, 2012 @ 12:44 pm
Beatrix… named for a Dutch Queen – no real connection to a cow… or an orphaned mother -but definitely now part of the royal lineage…. and Trixie is a cute nickname.
August 19th, 2012 @ 9:53 pm
large marge :)
August 20th, 2012 @ 8:24 am
Perhaps Julia would be a good name in honor of Julia Child’s 100th birthday anniversary that took place last week.
She was smart,had a great sense of humor,lived a long, very productive life(91 years).Julia was a big girl too.Over six feet tall and don’t forget she adored butter.
August 20th, 2012 @ 10:25 am
I’m glad things have worked out for Daisy and her new adopted daughter. Congrats to the whole farmily! :)
I am still having trouble choosing a name for my own daughter, who is due in a month, so I won’t even try to offer suggestions. :P
August 20th, 2012 @ 1:46 pm
Moira as a name … as Erin suggests it relates to “The Fates”.
Mostly because the calf reminds me of a beautiful, strong, leggy, dark-haired young woman named Moira from high school. I admired her fortitude and authenticity.
Also, because we never know what each person’s path with be. In this case, this young heifer person who has had the fortune to be part of your Farmily …
Kind of like the Native American (or Indian story) about the Chief and his son. Each time someone would comment on some event being good or bad, the Chief would say “So it seems …”. The birth of his son being lucky, the fall from his horse and breaking his leg being unlucky, his son’s missing out on a battle due to his broken leg meaning he was not killed like many other young braves being lucky, and so on.
It remind me not to be so quick to judge something as Good or Bad.
Moira fits the appearance of the dark beauty young beauty who is your newest addition.
I’ll be interested to hear more about her bovine personality as it becomes more and more apparent.
August 20th, 2012 @ 5:29 pm
I loved this story. I asked my wife for a name suggestion and she said Meredith. A little while later while reading the posts I see there’s a poster named that. Oh well, I like the name too and think it would go well with Fiona.
August 20th, 2012 @ 9:12 pm
I have only had time to read your post, but not the suggestions from everyone. This is such a sweet story and as usual, you are amazing! Lola is my name suggestion, not sure if anyone else has come up with that : )
August 21st, 2012 @ 8:02 am
How about Kismet? It’s Arabic in origin (and feminine as opposed to masculine) and means “fate,” which I think is perfect in this case.
Plus, it’s short and sweet and just enough syllables that it’s good for hollering across a field ;)
August 21st, 2012 @ 10:54 am
More suggestions:
Paige – just a pretty name
Petunia – a daughter to Daisy
Mocha – in the chocolate theme
Love Rosie, after the Big Red Truck
Beth – Rosie’s Mom?
Camilla = My Italian Mother in Law
Minnie – My Italian Grand Mother in Law
August 22nd, 2012 @ 10:24 am
Petunia? She looks like a Petunia to me. TOTALLY adorable!
August 23rd, 2012 @ 8:32 am
Lacey. Nothing says delicate lace like a big calf, right? :)
And a vote from my 4 year old, who says she should be named Doc.
Good luck!
August 23rd, 2012 @ 8:59 am
Definitely LACEY!
August 25th, 2012 @ 12:01 am
Cocoa! Or Coco Chanel!
August 25th, 2012 @ 10:15 am
Marilla
August 25th, 2012 @ 12:01 pm
Molly after Molly Brown
August 30th, 2012 @ 5:01 pm
Nutmeg
August 31st, 2012 @ 7:20 pm
I think it is going to be a secret lol. Where is Rumplestiltskin when you need him!!
August 31st, 2012 @ 10:07 pm
I think she looks like a Butterfly to me in the picture with her ears sticking out. All new and young from the cocoon.
September 1st, 2012 @ 2:10 pm
Beautiful calf, wonderful story – thanks for sharing. Delighted all is well.
September 14th, 2012 @ 9:03 am
That face…when I saw that face I thought “Clementine!” It’s sweet and strong at the same time, and this baby girl is so that. Loved reading this.
September 19th, 2012 @ 11:43 am
I’m so happy for everyone! Great job, Shreve