01/12/2026
“If you have livestock, you have dead stock”. We’ve all heard it said, usually just about through gritted teeth. Said as though it makes it any better.
While we were in the hospital having our daughter, Dolly went into labor and our babies were born the same morning. Hers, a redheaded roan and white heifer, didn’t make it. We have incredible people in our corner who were checking cows for us. They got her treated against shock and early milk fever. But my heart’s been breaking for her since. We had a longer hospital stay than we’d planned, and didn’t have a chance to graft a calf to her or give her any good option. I’ve cried for her every day.
Dolly’s been my girl over the last few years. My best girl. She may not be the fanciest, but she’s my favorite. I probably should have sold her the first time she came up open, but instead I made a rule that I could only have one pet, one that didn’t have to make business sense, and she stayed. She was carrying a purebred calf this year, and I’ve been over the moon about it.
I know it’s “just a cow” and “just a calf”, but it’s never that simple when it comes down to it. I’ve never lost one before. And it’s her, and a baby born the same morning as mine… it’s just pretty terrible timing all around.
When we got to bring our daughter home, Ben went to check the cows. Dolly came running up to him with Rooster at her side while Darla stayed back across the pond. She’s never let that calf leave her sight, but now she’s letting Dolly mother on him. And Dolly’s ok.
Life and death are both brutal. I know one is always accompanied by the other, but man, it’s a low punch to the gut when they hit so hard at the same time. I’m so thankful that we are home with a healthy baby. I’m so glad Dolly’s ok, but still heartbroken for her.
Maybe next year.
