Sneaking Up On Cows
☆ February 24, 2016
I took Chloe out at 6 this morning (Charlie will stay in bed till 8am if he has his way, which he does). It was well before sunrise but the full moon was still high and bright. All the snow has melted and all the mud has dried (here, “mud” is it’s own major season between “snow” and “grass”), and the bare ground shimmered with frost.
I saw Daisy as soon as I stepped outside, her white coat a glowing aura in the moonlight. She was asleep, curled up like a swan, her legs tucked under her and her head resting on her shoulder. The other cows were grouped behind her, as if she was the guard stationed to protect them through the night. And now that dawn was near, they were awake and she was asleep.
It’s very hard to sneak up on a cow. They are better watch dogs than most dogs. I walked softly toward Daisy and she didn’t stir. I got close enough to hear her deep, steady sleep-breathing and she didn’t wake. I crouched next to her flank with just a few inches between us and she didn’t even open one eye.
I moved past her to Fiona, who I could see was awake, and it was my whispered, “good morning, Fifi” that woke Daisy. She popped her head up and blinked at me, so I went back over to her to stroke her soft cheeks and kiss her broad forehead.
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23 Responses to “Sneaking Up On Cows”
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February 24th, 2016 @ 9:19 am
Lazy ‘yote, tired cow? :)
February 24th, 2016 @ 9:25 am
Sounds like a wonderful way to start a day.
February 24th, 2016 @ 9:27 am
I love when I am able to sneak up on my horses when they are sleeping or even my dogs. Occasionally, I am able to, but not often. Normally one or another either hears or smells me and lets the rest know.
February 24th, 2016 @ 9:30 am
I’m so glad you’re posting regularly again. Thank you!
February 24th, 2016 @ 9:50 am
I’m betting that’s the first time a cow has been compared to a swan, but it fits! They really do sleep similarly! LOL
February 24th, 2016 @ 10:43 am
Wonderful rural moment, captured perfectly. Thanks for sharing your Farmily with us.
February 24th, 2016 @ 11:59 am
Shreve, this is so beautiful. Thank you so much for letting us “be” with you! When I would visit my grandparents’ farm 60 years ago, I was able to have experiences similar to this–just me and the other wildlife out in beautiful Nature.
Fortunately, where I live now I can still go outside at night or early, early morning and see the moon and stars, but nothing takes the place of the cows and horses and chickens — except for my doggie, Luke the black Lab. He comes out with me and seems to understand. He’s bit by the same bug. We go out there and breathe, and he pokes around a little and sniffs a lot, and sometimes he stays out in a favorite hole, and sometimes he comes back in with me. It’s so important.
February 24th, 2016 @ 12:46 pm
Charlie and Daisy are seniors now and we need an extra minute or two of shut eye.
February 24th, 2016 @ 1:10 pm
A beautiful, sweet scene. I could picture it all in my mind. Thank you for sharing it. Love it.
February 24th, 2016 @ 2:12 pm
oh how i love the way you write. i can imagine the scene so easily. as always, thank you for sharing your world.
February 24th, 2016 @ 2:51 pm
What a lovely way to start the day although I would be sleeping in like Charlie!
February 24th, 2016 @ 6:28 pm
Love. Thank you.
February 24th, 2016 @ 6:32 pm
Thank you for sharing your gift of writing. so serene, so beautiful,
February 24th, 2016 @ 6:34 pm
On a day when I felt out of sync with the world and I really didn’t want to leave home; this post really helped ground me.
February 24th, 2016 @ 6:37 pm
Oh how I wish I could kiss a cow to start my day. xxxx000
February 24th, 2016 @ 10:39 pm
LOL.
Now that my Ramses is 12 he naps more soundly, plus I don’t think his hearing is as good as it used to be.
I’ve snuck up on him unintentionally a few times and startled him. But am forgiven immediately. I think maybe he feels too humiliated to hold it against me.
Sleeping cows. What a lovely picture. And Daisy is queen of the herd. The matriarch. They all bow to her wisdom and experience. I think it’s wonderful your cows are accustomed to your morning greeting. I can’t think of a better way to start the day then petting cows. (Unless it’s snuggling with my dog.)
The moon is out at 6am? And it’s dark enough to see by moonlight? Yeah, I haven’t seen a sunrise in decades and can’t think of any sane reason to get up before 6am as I don’t keep cows or chickens. In fact, the dog sleeps in longer than I do. He also puts himself to bed earlier.
February 25th, 2016 @ 4:26 am
I, too, am very happy you are posting more regularly again. You were missed. Lovely writing. It was easy to get a clear mental picture. Thank you for the smile. (I like the nickname Fifi – adorbs.)
February 25th, 2016 @ 6:16 am
She is the matriarch so of course she is in front protecting her herd. Momma cow and all.
And maybe she was pretending to sleep like Charlie does when you try to get them up too early. :) George and Charlie though are one of the same mind. We get up at 4:30 during the week – George just moved from his bed to the love seat until breakfast is served at 515.
February 25th, 2016 @ 7:31 am
You’ve written the seed of a fairy tale. It’s elegant, full of misty light, and delicate. There is even a swan image.
February 25th, 2016 @ 8:23 am
Thank you for this. I too am glad you’re writing again. So glad.
February 25th, 2016 @ 8:27 am
Love, peace and cows forever!
February 25th, 2016 @ 11:35 am
Lovely morning moment…
February 25th, 2016 @ 8:30 pm
This was divine. Thank you.