Doom Dogs

[Greg]

During the afternoon dog walk, we let the dogs off the leash so they can run around the acreage. Lilly's stays by our side desperate for treats. Aoife races like a woman god mad or putting truth to the aphorism run like you've been let off the leash. The trick for Aoife is to get her back on the leash before The Queen feeds the horses the carrots. Lately, Aoife has decided to not come back and keep running. With the Queen yesterday, she got in the Brechbuehl's pasture and chased the cows and the horses.

Aoife did the same today only I followed her around the Brechbuehl's ranch to catch her while the Queen tended to the horses. I heard a strange bark from the other side of the large mound of dirt over where they store the feed for the livestock. I came upon Aoife terrorizing a young calf which had it's head stuck between the fence wire that enclosed the bales of hay. Aoife didn't terrorize the calf too badly, just raced around the rear of the trapped calf barking. No nipping. All the other cows hearing the calf wailing circled around her despite the presence of the white demon.

After some cajoling, I was able to get Aoife's leash on her. I took Aoife back to the Queen while I went to the Brechbuehl's house further up the road. The Brechbuehl's were not home. Now, I couldn't be sure if Aoife didn't scare the small calf into poking her head through the fence, I wouldn't have been surprised or if the cow had gotten stuck trying to snack on the hay. Either way the calf wasn't coming out. The fence was made of 1/4" rod steel welded into a 6" x 6" grid. I tried prying the strands around the calf's head but they didn't budge.

Interestingly, the whole herd was around the calf and the food. One cow seemed to comfort the calf. My old friend 007 was even in attendance. Usually when the cows see me they run away. But they weren't leaving the presence of the calf.

I checked the surrounding buildings to see if there were any tools I could use to cut the wire. One turned out to be the tack room with only curry combs, saddles and bridals. The horse that wanders the property, Juicy, followed me to the tack building in the hopes I would take her out for a gallop. The other building was locked but there was a table covered with ratchet straps. For a bit I thought I could use the straps to pull apart the wire, but the ratchet straps were so old and weather worn they were of no use.

I finally figured, I would back to Lynch Lair and get some bolt cutters. On the way home, I spotted the neighbor, the electrical contractor. I asked if he had cutters and since he has every tool known to man. He did. I made my way back to the calf. The lineman's pliers he gave me were a little undersized to cut the rod, but I eventually cut through. The calf stepped on my foot twice for my troubles. The rest of the herd eyed me with interest the entire time. I pulled back the clipped rod and the calf was able to pull her head out.

I did text the Brechbuehl's to tell them of my misdeeds. I probably could have just left the calf trapped in there until they showed up with a better solution for dealing with their livestock. Time will tell. Until then, I think I've been accepted into the herd.