The pet I’ll never forget: Joey, the sickly calf who helped me through a fog of grief
I had just lost my brother when Joey arrived – also struggling and in need of TLC. Caring for him gave me a routine, and
I had just lost my brother when Joey arrived – also struggling and in need of TLC. Caring for him gave me a routine, and taught me that life is worth the fight As a farmer’s daughter my life has been full of animals.
Joey arrived soon after my brother’s sudden death when I was just 18. We were all reeling with grief. Then this tiny twin calf arrived, born to one of my brother’s favourite cows. His twin died almost immediately, but I rebelled against the pragmatic advice of the farm manager to let this one slip away too.
I hand-milked his mother and fed him myself, and took him home to my little cottage where I could watch him whenever I wasn’t at work on the farm, learning the trade. He took up residence there alongside my lurcher puppy, Gail, who accepted him without fuss.
It was an unlikely trio – a grieving girl, a dog and a calf – finding our way through the fog of loss together. Continue reading...
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