Colton and Bucket BREAKING THE GRASS CEILING

BY PAM BONSPER

Although there are many photos of dogs cuddling up with cats and other pets— even with birds and wild animals—the story of Colton and Bucket offers a look into a very unusual long-term friendship that started with a oneday-old calf and a young female Saint Bernard mixedbreed dog.

Their relationship started six years ago.

In 2017, Susan Klingenberg decided to make a bucket list. On her list was to save an animal’s life by going to a livestock auction and bidding on an animal. “I knew it was going to be a really hard thing to do because of what I was going to see and the fact that I couldn't save them all. I cried in the parking lot going in.”

Susan explains how the calves were auctioned off first and when the littlest calf came out, the auctioneer looked right at her. “No one bid on him and so I did, and I got him for $10. He was at most a day old. So, I literally carried him to the trailer. I had never raised a calf before, but I was determined to give him the best life possible.”

When they got home, the calf soon found Colton’s dog bed, dropped to his knees, and snuggled right in. Right from the start, Colton was a comfort to the tiny calf. Susan remembers those first few days: “The calf looked to Colton for companionship, and she certainly was there for him, lying next to him, watching out for him, and of course being his play buddy. Colton was always right there with me during every bottle feeding and more.”

She named the calf “Bucket,” thinking to herself, I’m going to have a large ranch someday and I’m going to have lots of little Buckets that I can save and care for.

Thus, the idea was born: Little Buckets Farm Sanctuary.

In 2018, Susan bought a large piece of property, and that’s where Colton and her pal have cavorted ever since.

What are the reasons these two oddly matched BFFs have remained inseparable for so many years?

Susan says, “One minute, they were snuggling. One minute running around like two little puppies. They saw each other as the same and acted just that way.”

Obviously, they had no species bias. Accepting each other is one thing, but changing their behaviors? Have you ever seen calves in a pasture chasing each other for literally hours? Why would a cow play like a puppy? Why would he drop his head, wag his tail, and encourage Colton to chase him? Why would he nibble Colton’s ears and let Colton nibble his?

Perhaps it is because Colton is a special dog. Perhaps she is the product of her mixed breeds: a patient, dedicated Saint Bernard who is drawn to those in need. Perhaps the DNA from other breeds gives her the leadership qualities to teach and the inexhaustible energy and endurance to deal with a . . .

One-thousand-pound playmate!

For as Bucket grew and grew and grew, Colton remained unbiased; she adapted her play to a giant. And equally amazing . . . Bucket adapted to Colton’s size (which, to his amazement, never seemed to change).

“They learned how to communicate,” Susan explains. “When I took Colton out to Bucket’s field, I never knew what was going to happen. Sometimes they would play and sometimes you could tell they just wanted to be together. Bucket would instigate play by nudging his head toward Colton. Colton would instigate play by playing with Bucket’s ears.”

The videos of the two playing are lessons in adaptation. Watching them crash around in the grassy fields, I think they have broken the grass ceiling. Susan describes Bucket as a grass puppy who has the same personality as Colton, not the personality of a cow. The buddies have developed a unique style of understanding each other. They know how to avoid hurting each other by controlling their movements and speed. They shun stereotypes, do their own thing, improvise, and figure out what works, proving that nothing can get between two friends who love each other.

These are lessons we would all do well to emulate.

I asked if Colton and Bucket’s closeness has changed in any way over the years. “The biggest change is they don’t necessarily romp around together anymore. They hang out together. As both are older and more mature, just like us, they would rather hang out than be crazy puppies running around the field.”

I asked Susan what her sweetest memory of her unlikely pair has been. “One of my favorite memories was when Bucket was young. They were running together. They were running around a tree in this square fenced-in area. Each kept changing directions to try to get to the other like they were playing tag and they didn’t want to be caught. It was so cute.”

She adds, “There are too many special memories to describe, as watching this friendship has been one of the most beautiful things I have gotten to witness in my life.”

I then asked, “Do other animals in the Little Buckets Farm Sanctuary have similar relationships with Colton?”

Susan’s answer: “Colton has many interspecies friendships, and we call her our animal whisperer because she is so special, not only with Bucket but everyone on the farm, and is absolutely welcoming and incredible with our new rescues. You can tell she makes them feel safe, they trust her, she hangs out with them, and is looking out for them always. Our Instagram page has many photos and videos of these two to enjoy @ littlebucketsfarmsanctuary.”

For more about Little Buckets Farm Sanctuary go to Little Buckets Farm Sanctuary.org

Dog guardians living in Manhattan are faced with a concrete world filled with crowded sidewalks, wall-to-wall buildings, and city streets clogged with traffic. Ah yes, but there is a nearby oasis that is New York City’s very own Central Park. For dog guardians and dogs, this is a much-needed refuge that helps locals and visitors alike escape the city’s daily hustle and bustle.

With endless places to explore, dog guardians and their pups can navigate through this 843-acre paradise on or off leash depending on their visiting time. This amazing park is complete with lakes, waterfalls, meadows, and wooded areas right in the middle of the city!

As the sun slowly rises up and over one of the many tall buildings that line the south end of the park, people and their dogs spontaneously make their way into the nearest park entrance to enjoy the early morning off-leash hours between 6:00 am and 9:00 am. This brilliant sunny morning is a welcome sight after a string of cloudy and cold days.

Among the four-legged visitors, a young Bernese Mountain Dog in a striking red service vest romps across a green lawn dotted with freshly fallen leaves. A runner and his dog come trotting by on one of the wide drives that span the outermost portions of the park. Cars are no longer allowed, keeping the roads reserved for runners, walkers, cyclists, skaters, and pedicabs.

There’s lots of adventure to be had here on two and four feet. Central Park is home to over 120 different species of trees, and there are nearly 300 different kinds of birds that visit here. When hiking around the park be sure to keep yourself and your dog hydrated; there are 28 drinking fountains just for dogs distributed throughout the park, marked with blue dots on the map.

To keep the park a safe space for all species, here are some Central Park dog rules that you should be aware of:

Park Rules

Dogs must not dig, chase, or harm wildlife, damage park property, or interfere with other park visitors.

Dogs must have a current license and rabies tag.

Leashes cannot be more than six feet long. And as always, responsible dog guardians should clean up after their dog.

Areas To Visit

Bring some snacks, water, and a blanket for you and your pup and enjoy a picnic lunch on the Great Lawn. During off-leash hours, bring a ball or Frisbee to take advantage of this spacious green carpet.

The North Woods

Enjoy a peaceful trek through this 90-acre woodland area located in the northwest corner of the park. Hear the relaxing sounds of flowing water as you hike along the stream and arrive at a beautiful waterfall. Dogs must be on leash at all times in the North Woods.

The Ramble and Lake

Another somewhat secluded area to take your pup is inside the Ramble. Follow the winding path along a narrow stream that takes you past three waterfalls and leads to a pond called the Loch. The Loch is lined with soaring trees that block out the surrounding cityscape, and the sounds of its waterfalls muffle other signs of urban life. Dogs must remain on leash here.

Loeb Boathouse

This building is located right along the lake and has a restaurant with a dog-friendly outdoor patio and cafe area.

Statues And Monuments

Balto Statue

This beautiful bronze statue is dedicated to one of the heroic Huskies who helped lead sled teams to save residents of the isolated city of Nome, Alaska, during a diphtheria outbreak by successfully delivering the antitoxin.

The Alice in Wonderland Statue

This giant whimsical sculpture will make you and your dog feel as small as Alice once was. Complete with intricate details, the artwork includes many of the characters of the classic novel.

Cleopatra’s Needle

Walk your dog across the grassy area and marvel at this 4500-year-old obelisk located behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was installed here in 1881 and is New York’s oldest manmade object. Despite the name, it was over 1,000 years old by the time of Cleopatra’s reign.

Strawberry Fields

Located adjacent to John Lennon's former residence, The Dakota, this peaceful area’s focal point is a circular tiled mosaic, with a single word—the title of Lennon's most famous song, “Imagine." Here you will often find musicians playing Lennon and Beatles songs in tribute to the lost icon.

Bull Moose Dog Run

This newly renovated, fenced-in dog run is located next to the Museum of Natural History at West 81st Street and Central Park West and is an ideal place for your dog to run free during the park's on-leash hours.

A Park For All Seasons

Central Park can be enjoyed all year long, with each season having its own special feel. Bare trees and snowy paths in winter. Cherry blossoms and thousands of flowers in the spring. Lush green summers. And vibrant fiery colors each fall.