Sally’s been our milk cow for about four years. Some of you may recognize her name from Wilson Rawls’ book Summer of the Monkeys. Next time we choose a literary character’s name for one of our animals we’ll be a little more careful. In the book Jay Berry frequently has to chase down his cow Sally Gooden and return her to her corral. The above pictured Sally Gooden lived up to her namesake. Our fences were little match for her tall legs. The following picture shows an all too common scene.
Here’s Sally’s corral this past Sunday morning. You can quit searching, she’s not there. But if you turn around and look up behind the house…
Yeah, that’s her.
That look says it all. Yes, I caught you red handed! My brother in-law hauled Sally Gooden away this week. Her knack for escaping the corral isn’t the reason she’s gone. A cow is only a milk cow as long as she produces calves.
Sally’s last calf was born two years ago. We named it Bishop Slick in honor of the day’s events. It was the day my husband was sustained as bishop of our ward and I had invited the family over that evening for strawberry shortcake in celebration of his birthday the previous Friday. Just as I was chopping strawberries, a nephew ran up to our house to bring the news of the coming calf. Naturally, everyone ran to watch. It was soon discovered the calf was in breech position. My dairy farm-raised brother in-law quickly assessed the situation and drove to my in-laws to get the calfpuller. He used the tool to aid the delivery and then announced, “That was slick,” and a name was born. Bishop Slick.
About six months ago we purchased another cow in hopes of using her as a milk cow if Sally wouldn’t breed. That new cow is now five months pregnant and Sally is not. Four families depend on Sally Gooden’s milk supply and since she hasn’t bred in the last two years, it’s time to say goodbye. We’ll miss her–or at least her milk.
If your family is in need of a good summer read aloud pick up Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls author of Where the Red Fern Grows. This is a classic children’s book for every family’s library and summertime is the perfect opportunity to read it. It’s one of our family’s favorites.
