Cows are wonderful! - Like all living beings, they have distinct personalities. They can be shy, loving, playful, but also territorial and defensive. I find it interesting that they couldn't care less about loud machine noise (like: riding a dirt bike in their pasture), but will startle at a leaf tumbling onto their nose.
Yes! I'd love to hear more about your encounters with them Aleks.
I've followed the work of The Gentle Barn for years and one of their rescues, a baby calf born at a slaughter facility who was desperately ill really captured my heart. He was saved by moving him into their house, setting up an oxygen tent, and caring for him 24/7. He is now an ambassador for their sponsorship and children's programs. His name is John Lewis Thunderheart :-)
What a fabulous story. Lucy will enjoy the company of her bovine friends. And yes, animals like humans, want to feel loved and included. Those who truly love and rescue animals are heroes in my book.
No cow encounters except at the State Fair. Horses, yes. Standing in a field of a friend of my step mother's with my back turned towards the herd brought the horses closer and eventually they were nudging me, clearly accepting my presence in their space. Allowing me to pet them. Magical.
This is lovely, thank you Jena! I saw a picture on Unsplash a few days ago and thought of you immediately. I'll DM it to you and you can post or share if you like! I was uber-envious of this woman's experience! Spoiler alert: it is of a head hug with an enormous animal you would not usually think of. Just beautiful.
I dont have any photos as we were visiting them as new friends . Do you know that cows are intensely protective. If you fall in a. meadow hurting yourself they will group around you in a circle till human help comes. This has been witnessed many times.
Oh...why doesn't that surprise me? Do you know the Gentle Barn? They have rescued cows who work with abused children. They hug the kids and lie down beside them. I have learned to love cows :-)
We used to have an old house in france in the middle of nowhere, used to, as it burnt on Easter sunday last year, lol, but one of our great friends there is a farmer and many years ago on our first visit to him, in the evening, but still light, we went down to the barn to meet his cows. So we went from one tot he other as they were feeding and so I was talking low to each and then after having talked a bit we slowly made our way up to the homestead and suddenly as we were still in sight of them they started all to mow, and believe me it made lots of noise as they were like 22 cows !!! Our friend said to us, hey flo I think they really liked meeting you....
I wish everyone on Earth could meet a cow or more !!!
What a great story. I don't suppose you have any photos?
Having heard just one cow - Big Boss Momma Cow - hollering the other day I can only imagine how loud 22 must have sounded!!! They have amazing lungs - lol.
I really believe that if every human on the planet got to know a cow they would think twice about slaughtering them for meat. There has to be a better way.
Yes! When I was in Nepal cows were treated like royalty and could and did stop traffic by wandering into the street and lying down. They were also welcome to walk into houses!
Oh my goodness. It was the most amazing experience. They circled around me and just listened. They are such beautiful, gentle souls.
My husband and I gave Reiki to the old male. He “told us” he wanted to pass but was afraid to leave the herd. He had many health issues. We told him that someone else would step up and he could go if he were tired.
He passed two weeks later. There is more to the story. I will write it up and share it on My Weird and Wonderful Life tomorrow! 💞🐴💞
Same! Horses are definitely tremendous empaths. My mentor believes that they use their emotions as an effective means of communication within their herd.
My horses give me hugs too, it's wonderful! Pigs are also very sweet & affectionate once they get to know you.
Jena, your description of the pasture was spot on. I could totally see myself walking through my own pasture to hang out with my horses. 🙂❤️
Once while in Puerto Rico driving around the island, I stayed at a small bnb and they had a pony tied up in back. Soon I discovered his water can was without water so every morning first thing I walked to where he was and filled his water. I remember the first or second time I did this, the horse came walking straight toward me and was unsure if it was friendly or not. It was friendly. We hugged. And every morning thereafter he got excited when he saw me approaching. And so did I. I reported this to the local humane society since I knew his needs were not being met. They knew about it. I wish I could have brought him on the plane with me and let him roam in my big back yard. I would have built a barn for him and been the only one in Hartford caring for a horse.
There is an animal rescue farm not far from my Hartford home and in good weather, they have a Saturday musical open mic against the fence line where the cows gather and one lamb who thinks she’s a cow. And with a slight pivot, you find yourself singing to the cows.
And I do love cows. I don’t eat any red meat. I don’t eat creatures I love.
thanks a big bunch, for your close encounters of bovine kind... Reminds me to suggest to you a good book - An Immense World - by Ed Yong...if you haven't already bumped into it...
I would be delighted to send you a copy or three, if you like...
Give your vow cow friends a tickle for me, please, next time... Happy Vibrations 🙏🏻🫂hugs 🫂🧘🏻♀️🌌
Can i take liberty and mention about Robin Wall Kimmerer... Her "Braiding Sweetgrass" is an awesome book, I feel. You... prorly... know of her & writings.
Sometimes I play my shaman drum for the horses and they really like it, they gather around me to listen.
I discovered that they recognize languages too. The other day in France, I rented a reformed race horse to ride in the forest whose name was "Trafalgar". During quiet moments on horseback, I like to sing (in English) those cowboy songs that seem to match the easygoing walking pace of the horse.
I could tell that the horse was enjoying the song, and I realized that he probably understands English. So I talked to him in English and could sense great appreciation. And I thought "of course! No French owner would name their horse after a battle lost by Napoleon."
Upon returning the horse to the stable owner, I told her that he understood English. She was quite surprised to hear that. 🙂
Love! Makes me want to go on a trail ride and sing with you :-) Hadn’t really thought about the language side of it but it makes sense. I am imagining you singing Home on the Range.”
Cows are wonderful! - Like all living beings, they have distinct personalities. They can be shy, loving, playful, but also territorial and defensive. I find it interesting that they couldn't care less about loud machine noise (like: riding a dirt bike in their pasture), but will startle at a leaf tumbling onto their nose.
Yes! I'd love to hear more about your encounters with them Aleks.
I've followed the work of The Gentle Barn for years and one of their rescues, a baby calf born at a slaughter facility who was desperately ill really captured my heart. He was saved by moving him into their house, setting up an oxygen tent, and caring for him 24/7. He is now an ambassador for their sponsorship and children's programs. His name is John Lewis Thunderheart :-)
https://www.gentlebarn.org/animals/stories/john+lewis+thunderheart-cow-ca
I would like to start visiting with and chronicling the stories of cows and horses myself. We shall see :-)
What a fabulous story. Lucy will enjoy the company of her bovine friends. And yes, animals like humans, want to feel loved and included. Those who truly love and rescue animals are heroes in my book.
No cow encounters except at the State Fair. Horses, yes. Standing in a field of a friend of my step mother's with my back turned towards the herd brought the horses closer and eventually they were nudging me, clearly accepting my presence in their space. Allowing me to pet them. Magical.
This is lovely, thank you Jena! I saw a picture on Unsplash a few days ago and thought of you immediately. I'll DM it to you and you can post or share if you like! I was uber-envious of this woman's experience! Spoiler alert: it is of a head hug with an enormous animal you would not usually think of. Just beautiful.
I dont have any photos as we were visiting them as new friends . Do you know that cows are intensely protective. If you fall in a. meadow hurting yourself they will group around you in a circle till human help comes. This has been witnessed many times.
Oh...why doesn't that surprise me? Do you know the Gentle Barn? They have rescued cows who work with abused children. They hug the kids and lie down beside them. I have learned to love cows :-)
Jena, my goodness, so absolutely right !!
We used to have an old house in france in the middle of nowhere, used to, as it burnt on Easter sunday last year, lol, but one of our great friends there is a farmer and many years ago on our first visit to him, in the evening, but still light, we went down to the barn to meet his cows. So we went from one tot he other as they were feeding and so I was talking low to each and then after having talked a bit we slowly made our way up to the homestead and suddenly as we were still in sight of them they started all to mow, and believe me it made lots of noise as they were like 22 cows !!! Our friend said to us, hey flo I think they really liked meeting you....
I wish everyone on Earth could meet a cow or more !!!
What a great story. I don't suppose you have any photos?
Having heard just one cow - Big Boss Momma Cow - hollering the other day I can only imagine how loud 22 must have sounded!!! They have amazing lungs - lol.
I really believe that if every human on the planet got to know a cow they would think twice about slaughtering them for meat. There has to be a better way.
And not eat them.
if only we could imitate the people in India, where cows are a symbol of motherhood so you do not kill a mother..
Yes! When I was in Nepal cows were treated like royalty and could and did stop traffic by wandering into the street and lying down. They were also welcome to walk into houses!
you know if you welcome your horse inside your house he will be incredibly careful to not knock things over
You know I have seen a video of a woman who has a horse stall in her house. I'm going to see if I can find it.
Got it: https://fb.watch/rweJa5BYQE/
Horses are very spatially aware (look at dressage!) so I guess the fact that they would be careful of things in a house makes sense.
Yes. At that rescue farm, I had to go inside their house and I noticed a piglet laying down. I didn’t ask but assumed it needed special attention.
exactly
Awe. Thank you for sharing! I once sang to a herd of horses and got a horse hug. It was an amazing experience.
Oh...how did the horses respond?
Horses are empaths, I swear. If they know you they become attuned to your moods. I adore them. Hugs are very very special :-)
Oh my goodness. It was the most amazing experience. They circled around me and just listened. They are such beautiful, gentle souls.
My husband and I gave Reiki to the old male. He “told us” he wanted to pass but was afraid to leave the herd. He had many health issues. We told him that someone else would step up and he could go if he were tired.
He passed two weeks later. There is more to the story. I will write it up and share it on My Weird and Wonderful Life tomorrow! 💞🐴💞
Ohhhh…that is lovely.
I can’t wait to read the rest.
https://open.substack.com/pub/patricia40303/p/singing-to-horses?r=24a29y&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Same! Horses are definitely tremendous empaths. My mentor believes that they use their emotions as an effective means of communication within their herd.
My horses give me hugs too, it's wonderful! Pigs are also very sweet & affectionate once they get to know you.
Jena, your description of the pasture was spot on. I could totally see myself walking through my own pasture to hang out with my horses. 🙂❤️
Once while in Puerto Rico driving around the island, I stayed at a small bnb and they had a pony tied up in back. Soon I discovered his water can was without water so every morning first thing I walked to where he was and filled his water. I remember the first or second time I did this, the horse came walking straight toward me and was unsure if it was friendly or not. It was friendly. We hugged. And every morning thereafter he got excited when he saw me approaching. And so did I. I reported this to the local humane society since I knew his needs were not being met. They knew about it. I wish I could have brought him on the plane with me and let him roam in my big back yard. I would have built a barn for him and been the only one in Hartford caring for a horse.
Wish there were more like you. Hugs Bill.
I sent you the pics hope they arrived
Nope. Just sent you two messages in chat.
There is an animal rescue farm not far from my Hartford home and in good weather, they have a Saturday musical open mic against the fence line where the cows gather and one lamb who thinks she’s a cow. And with a slight pivot, you find yourself singing to the cows.
And I do love cows. I don’t eat any red meat. I don’t eat creatures I love.
LOVE!
I have a photo to send you. Let me see if your email is available.
Should be. If not ping me in chat and I'll share it.
jenaball@substack.com
Love your story on loving all beings!
Dear Jena
thanks a big bunch, for your close encounters of bovine kind... Reminds me to suggest to you a good book - An Immense World - by Ed Yong...if you haven't already bumped into it...
I would be delighted to send you a copy or three, if you like...
Give your vow cow friends a tickle for me, please, next time... Happy Vibrations 🙏🏻🫂hugs 🫂🧘🏻♀️🌌
Temple Grandin also wrote an amazing book called Animals in Translation.
Oh yes I know it. She is amazing and has done so much to debunk stigmas associated with Autism.
Gosh, thank you very much. I followed up and have bought a copy.
Best regards 😁💙🦋👍🌌
She's an amazing person and a great author!
I'm sure and thank you for the introduction...
Can i take liberty and mention about Robin Wall Kimmerer... Her "Braiding Sweetgrass" is an awesome book, I feel. You... prorly... know of her & writings.
Thank you again and have a lovely weekend 🦋🧘🏻♀️🌌
Great book. Combines indigenous wisdom with science. You’ll love it Lorraine.
No I don't, I'll look her up, thanks! ❤️🙂
Awwww, so glad you enjoyed. And thank you so much for the suggestion. I'll grab a copy.
Your best post in Jena History, Jena!
LOL, thanks Auntie E.
I KNOW you have some critter encounters to share. Have you hugged a cow?
I sang to a cow on a vacation in NC😎
Awww I bet they loved it. Could you tell?
Cows love listening to music. I know a sanctuary that invites local musicians to come out and play for theirs. Only classical though :-)
Sometimes I play my shaman drum for the horses and they really like it, they gather around me to listen.
I discovered that they recognize languages too. The other day in France, I rented a reformed race horse to ride in the forest whose name was "Trafalgar". During quiet moments on horseback, I like to sing (in English) those cowboy songs that seem to match the easygoing walking pace of the horse.
I could tell that the horse was enjoying the song, and I realized that he probably understands English. So I talked to him in English and could sense great appreciation. And I thought "of course! No French owner would name their horse after a battle lost by Napoleon."
Upon returning the horse to the stable owner, I told her that he understood English. She was quite surprised to hear that. 🙂
Love! Makes me want to go on a trail ride and sing with you :-) Hadn’t really thought about the language side of it but it makes sense. I am imagining you singing Home on the Range.”
Forgot to ask. What's a "Shaman drum?"
Yes that's exactly the song I sing! 😁
Animals love attention too❤️
Oh yes!
Love your story!
Awwww thank you. I hope you will share any close encounters you've had :-)