05/12/2025
The problem with tame cattle.
I had the cow I needed to bring home loaded in the trailer. Most of the rest of the herd was gathered around. The gate was right there, in front of the pickup, and the herd of cows. Now I just had to get out it, preferably leaving the cattle behind.
Dumping the last remnants of cake on the ground I flung open the gate then jumped in the drivers seat. The cattle stayed, looking around the ground for treats as I pulled through the gate and onto the road. Throwing it in park I ran to close the gate.
The back corner of the trailer was still in the gate opening.
I had misjudged and not pulled the pickup far enough forward. Now the cows were coming over to see what I was doing. Did I have more food? I stood there with the gate an arms length from closing. A herd of cows wanting to come out and explore the fresh grass along the road.
In the bed of the pickup was a lead rope that would be perfect to tie the gate closed while I pulled forward. I yelled at the cows and waved my arms. They sniffed me. I stood head bowed in defeat.
My trusty treat bag was around my waist. Maybe that would work. Taking it off I tied one end to the gate. If I pulled hard on the gate it came just far enough for me to hook the gate latch to it. Letting go carefully I tested to see if it would hold. Then made a mad dash for the pickup.
As I pulled it forward I heard the twang of a cow ducking under the treat bag and not quite breaking anything as she escaped. Ghost stood in the opening now. I could get there before anyone else escaped, if I just ran fast enough. Ghost’s shoulder blade hooked on the gate and she took a step backwards.
The treat bag had held for the cow to go under it. Ghost was more than it could take. The strap sprang loose. The gate swung open. The cows spooked backwards long enough for me to grab the gate and latch it.
Blossom looked at me from across the street and grazed fresh grass.
I stood at a loss thinking how nice it would have been to have one more person through all of this. More treats would help too. My beloved treat bag lay in pieces. The herd stood at the gate still wanting to join Blossom. Blossom meandered farther from the gate.
I gathered a few cake crumbs and called Blossom. She shied away I tried to drive her back across the street. She ducked around me, not interested in being a pet with all this new grass to explore. I left her be and went back to untie the strap of the treat bag from the gate. Then opened the trailer door and unloaded the 4wheeler that had just been loaded.
Getting a little grouchy now I was able to drive the cows away from the gate. It could have been that they were bored with the game. As I moved them down the fence line Blossom came over to see what was going on. Instead of needing the 4wheeler she now followed me happily through the gate. I scratched her back to make up for the lack of treats while I cursed her under my breath for all the trouble she caused.
Loading the 4wheeler back into the trailer I drove off thinking how much easier life would be without such tame cattle. On the other hand, the day would have been a lot more difficult without them.
