ANIMAL CARE
Where would we be without animals? “Animals are the bridge between us and the beauty of all that is natural. They show us what’s missing in our lives, and how to love ourselves more completely and unconditionally. They connect us back to who we are, and to the purpose of why we’re here.” -Trisha McCagh Just imagine how mundane the world would be without all of the various animal species inhabiting our earth. No dog to greet you when you go outside in the morning to start your day. No cat to rub up against your suit trousers as you head out to an important business meeting. No horse to traverse you across the foothills to the high mountain range. There would be no need for cowboys! You could sleep in all day; no cattle to feed, no sheep to herd, and no fences to mend. Fishing poles having no purpose and no reason for hunting season or predator control. Close your eyes for a moment and drift back to your childhood. What was your favorite pet? Can you envision in your mind that old mutt of yours running, with tail wagging, to greet you as you stepped off the school bus? How about that calico kitten as she jumped on your lap and purred as you gently stroked the top of her head as you watched T.V.? How often did you sit astride that old buckskin mare as she raced you through the barrels at the local fair and rodeo? We would have missed so much as we progressed from child to teenager and from young adult to senior citizen! Critters teach our young responsibility and give meaning and purpose to our elderly. Several years ago a stray female cat took up residence in a feller’s barn. Not long after a surly ole tom came a visiting. Soon there we several cats in his barn! As he pondered the seriousness of 24 Standard-Examiner
ALL THINGS OUTDOORS
Ken Adams
Photo by Zach Jensen Hazen Jensen washes his horse Pearl after a workout.
Photo provided by Ken Adams Kort is all smiles as he holds his future 4-H winner. Caring for animals teaches our youth responsibility..
the situation, he came up with an efficacious idea… spayed the female and the kittens. If there is no dessert, the tom won’t come a courting! It worked. Over time, all but one met an untimely death. The survivor is named “Kat”. She has been by his side for a long time. In fact, she thinks she is a dog! She goes with him to feed the cattle, she walks with him to the top of the field to move sprinkler pipe, and she jumps atop the machinery as he ser-
vices it to make certain he completes the task properly. Kat is getting up in years and one day the farmer will have to carry her to the cloister for a final goodbye. It will break the old man’s heart. Recently, a rancher called a veterinarian to hurriedly come and render expert assistance to a Lowline Angus heifer suffering from a breech birth. Soon they had the gal secured and started the procedure. She gave up a good fight for a few moments, but soon realized they were there to help her. The other hands kept her secure as the vet worked his magic. The rancher rubbed her head and gently spoke to her. The calf reluctantly entered this life and struggled to take a breath. The vet worked hard to clear the air passage and gave the newborn the proper medication. The calf was so weak he couldn’t stand to suckle the mother and get the much needed colostrum. After a while they tubed him and later that day he gained enough strength to stand and nurse from the mother. Unfortunately, the strenuous birth and the fluid on his lungs, proved
too much and he slipped away the next day. The rancher found the mother standing over the calf’s lifeless body, gently licking his tiny head. The man and the mother mourned together and he spoke to her. He gave her a handful of freshly picked alfalfa and removed the calf. On any given day he can walk to the pasture where she resides with the other heifers and get close to them to check the other calves. But if he takes someone else with him, the small herd jumps to their feet and runs to the top of the field. Animals can sense safety and danger, who they can trust and who they cannot. Ms. McCagh hit it on the nail! “Animals are the bridge between us and the beauty of all that is natural. They show us what’s missing in our lives, and how to love ourselves more completely and unconditionally. They connect us back to who we are, and to the purpose of why we’re here.” Thank the Lord for animals! Take good care of those under your watch.
