Mandy, that calf looks a little sick, my dad would say as he pointed the droopy-eared patient out to me in the pasture. We sit together on the 4 wheeler, gazing the grounds and looking for trouble, we both nod our heads in agreement: that is one sick calf.
I pull out the calf catch with a whoosh and a click, click. I hold it steady as Dad drives closer to the little calf. We both bail as we near him. I grab his leg above the hock with the catch while Dad runs up, pins him to the ground and calls for the medicine. The cows start to beller and the momma cow sticks her nose in Daddy's face. I stick the pills in the tube and Dad carefully maneuvers them down the throat in one swift motion. We release the calf after a good swat on the butt, confident in our skills as cowmen.
As they get older, we don't catch the calves quite as often. I can't even say we call them calves anymore. Nope, Dad has a cure-all trick he likes to use for every problem on the farm: LA-200. A shot of that, and you're good as new. GUARANTEED!
You might be wondering why I haven't posted in awhile. Well, my blog site was up for repairs for the better part of last week, and I must have started to feel sympathy pains. I lost my appetite, got the chills and caught a fever. Soon enough, I found myself in the D.C. Emergency Room for an IV and a 10 hour visit. Diagnosis: Kidney infection. They did enough poking and prodding and examining to last me an entire lifetime. They had to stick me twice with the IV needle, take TWO urine samples, shoot me in the back, steal some spinal fluids, take half an ocean of blood from me, and leave me whimpering like a scared coyote after a hunt. Don't worry, I'm back...and as feisty as ever.
Yeah, I would have rather had a shot of LA-200. I could still use one. Doubt anyone carries THAT in the big city...
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Comments (8)
Glad you're feeling better, that had to be a little scary being that sick and so far from MOM! That LA 200 is a cure all here on the Knolltop...for everyone!
Posted by Melissa | July 30, 2007 7:07 PM
Posted on July 30, 2007 19:07
Thanks Melissa! As much as I hated to admit that I needed anyone's help, my mom on the phone was the one I needed the most. I'm sure your kids feel the same way about you!
Posted by Amanda Nolz | July 30, 2007 7:56 PM
Posted on July 30, 2007 19:56
Amanda,
Way to be a trooper. You are getting better, and I envy your determination. However, do you really have to be as fiesty as ever???
Posted by Travis Hoffman | July 31, 2007 10:03 AM
Posted on July 31, 2007 10:03
Feisty and stubborn...and oh yeah, street savvy. Look at the farm girl now!
Posted by Amanda Nolz | July 31, 2007 3:12 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 15:12
Glad that you are feeling better Amanda!!!! I'm with you though....I also would have rather had the LA-200!!! Keep up the great work that you do promoting the beef industry!!!
Posted by Londa Johnson | July 31, 2007 4:32 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:32
Thanks Londa! Glad you stopped by!
Posted by Amanda Nolz | July 31, 2007 6:38 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 18:38
Glad you are well and FEISTY as ever!!!! Never mind about Travis, agriculture and the beef industry needs a thousand more Amanda Nolz!
Posted by Carol Abrahamzon | August 3, 2007 10:40 AM
Posted on August 3, 2007 10:40
Thanks Carol! I think you are a gift to the beef industry as well!
Posted by Amanda Nolz | August 3, 2007 9:24 PM
Posted on August 3, 2007 21:24