Goodbye Blossom

ozark_jewels · #1 10/11/08, 11:08 AM

Yesterday was a sad day but also a tiny bit of a relief.

Blossom, our old Jersey was born to us on our farm in Ohio, 17 years ago. She was a dark red Jersey, a bit taller than average with a rather aloof personality. Grew the most beautiful set of horns. She gave us 15 good years of calves and milk. She made five different moves with us, three of those moves across several states. She was never a pet, but was a good cow. She has been with us for so long that its hard to imagine not seeing her in our small herd. She had a propensity toward bull calves, only ever giving us three heifers, two of which we have now. Blossom had a terrible habit of plopping while we were handmilking and she was a trial to catch when she was a first freshener. But she gave us beautiful calves and peaked at 8 gallons of milk a day at her prime.
She was getting a bit slow last year during her last pregnancy, though still herd queen. We decided that would be her last calving, she was not to be bred again.
We wanted to give her another winter, but a few days ago we went out and she couldn't get up. She had laid down too near the fence and must have fallen into it trying to get up. She had scratched herself on the barbs and looked to have been laying there with her feet in the fence for most of the night. Stressed but ok, so we rolled her away from the fence, gave her hay, grain and water. She got up shakily after eating and resting. We knew it was only a matter of time before it happened again and worse. Especially during this winter as we tend to have to deal with ice. There are very few nice easy deaths for old cows. Usually they end up getting pnuemonia, breaking a leg, etc. Those are painful ways to go.
So we made the decision and called Mr. Campbell that night. He comes out to the farm, shoots the animal in its pasture from a distance so its all unsuspecting and never stressed. Then he takes it to the nearest proccessing facility and it comes back in little white packages two weeks later. I can handle that because I know its the best for Blossom and us as long as *I* don't have to do it.
He came out yesterday, we showed him where she was and then we came back to the house. I didn't want to see it. I know its for the best, she wouldn't have made it through the winter and this way was quick and painless.......but it was Blossom.
So I left and covered my ears so I wouldn't hear the shot.
She is gone now and I'm crying over my keyboard. It didn't really get me till now. Blossom was a great old cow and lives on here in her daughters, April and Jasmine.
I totally believe that there are animals in heaven. I don't believe that our great God would give us the love we have for the special animals and the love that so many of them exhibit for us(especially certain goats), and not design a place where we can see each other again. I also don't think he would give us animals for friends and companions here, then not allow us to be together for all time.
Some people will not understand how we could butcher Blossom after 17 years. Growing up on a farm and trying to be practical, I have come to realise that everything has its uses dead or alive. Blossom wouldn't mind us getting some use from her carcass, and with our family, its only practical. Blossom is gone from that body and its better use than having to drag it back and let coyotes eat it. There is no way to bury something that big......this way nothing goes to waste and I think there is everything right with that.
Here's to Blossom, one awesome Jersey.

Karin L · #2 10/11/08, 11:13 AM

I'm sorry for your loss! It hurts to lose an animal, but it hurts even more so to lose one that has been born on your farm, seen it grow up to be a part of the "family" if you want to call it that, then have it until it's time for it to go.

Blossom sounded like a really good cow. And she sounded like she lived a good life on your farm, even though her end came in such a way that you never intended it to. But that's life.

So yes, to Blossom!

wildhorse · #3 10/11/08, 11:19 AM

(hugs Emily) I'm so sorry for your loss... And yes indeed there are animals in heaven...

holleegee · #4 10/11/08, 12:29 PM

I also believe there are animals in heaven.

Hugs, I think you guys did the right thing. You know she lived a good life and was well treated...and most of all she was loved! What more could anyone ask for.

Holly

bstuart29 · #5 10/11/08, 12:31 PM

Emily I'm sorry for the loss of Blossom

I can tell ya cared for a lot and she was treated very well in you and your family's care. Emily there was nothing wrong with having her butchered, it's better to use the meat then to just waste it, you did the right, humane thing.

farmergirl · #6 10/11/08, 12:38 PM

What a wonderful story. I know you are sad to see her go, but you must find comfort in knowing that she had a most unusually happy life for a cow! She never once faced being traded in a loud and scary sale barn, never once was locked into a small stall for days and weeks on end. She lived the life a dairy cow SHOULD live and I admire the way you cared for her and the true respect you have for her, even in her passing.

topside1 · #7 10/11/08, 01:35 PM

double hugs from Tennessee....

XCricketX · #8 10/11/08, 02:23 PM

*HUGS*

So sorry she had to go.

Like everyone else said... she had a GOOD life, and she was given the highest respect in the end by allowing her to give your family life once more.

Yes, I believe we will see our animals in heaven. ^_^ I have a few up there waiting for me. ^_^

Cricket

matt_man · #9 10/11/08, 03:54 PM

Mr. Campbell is a very nice man and I am glad it was him that was able to come and do it for you. I know that he would do it with respect for the family. I am also glad that she gave you many good years.

Rachel

Minelson · #10 10/11/08, 06:01 PM

Sorry for your loss...hugs to you

Ardie/WI · #11 10/11/08, 06:08 PM

Hugs.

Yes, there better be animals in Heaven or I don't want to go there. It would be so lonely.

I'm crying with you.

KevinS · #12 10/11/08, 07:58 PM

Emily,

My condolences on your loss which struck a cord with me as we just brought our first calf home last weekend. A Jersey which we named Blossom. I hope we do as well with our Blossom as you did with yours.

Kevin

freeholdfarms · #13 10/11/08, 11:30 PM

Greener pastures

Teacupliz · #14 10/12/08, 07:26 AM

Same here sorry for your loss. at least she got to go peaceful. What a blessing you brought her.
Hugs- Liz

whitewolf · #15 10/12/08, 11:50 AM

((((((HUGS))))))) Emily. I was raised with a milk cow named Blossom, but she was a Gernsey. You gave her a good life and she was loved. But I know it's not easy.

poorboy · #16 10/12/08, 02:15 PM

Kudo's fer having the gumption to not let yourself be ruled by emotions and making the right decision.

Jennifer L. · #17 10/13/08, 05:03 PM

I'm glad you put her down the way you did. That's a good end for a good cow.

Farming has it's tough moments.

Jennifer

cathleenc · #18 10/14/08, 07:14 AM

hugs and fabulous memories!

Happy Palace · #19 10/14/08, 12:16 PM

Hugs from Ohio. I'm so sorry. We've had to put down two pets this year and it's the hardest thing to do even when you know it's right. I'm so glad that Blossom can live on for you in her daughters. God bless.

ozark_jewels · #20 10/14/08, 07:30 PM

Thanks all. I'm good really. Its a bit like a weight being lifted. All this year I knew this was coming and I was dreading it. Now its done and I can move on. We will miss her, but there are others to care for now.