'My Beautiful Heifer' by Rosie Pugh

A young heifer collapsed after the birth of her calf. It was her first and the youngster was very big. She was unable to bring herself back on her legs and this was not a good sign as it  meant only one thing - death at the hands of the farmer.
I gazed at this beautiful creature as I knelt by her side. Her eyes, which were as big as the moon, gazed into mine. She had sadness. It was as if she knew her fate. Her eyes followed my every move as I stroked and spoke to her.
Deep in my heart I knew what the outcome would be; but I pleaded with her to please try and move, which she did so many times. The effort was there but she was unable to bring those long legs into action. She looked at me as if to say, I’m trying. I wept.
The farmer caught me many times in the barn as I used to bring her warm milk with a drop of brandy and helped her to drink. My love for the heifer grew and I became desperate as every day came and I waited for that miracle to happen that maybe today she would be standing. I knew she had been trying because the straw would always be disturbed. But alas it was not to be. She was unable to gain that strength she needed.
We gazed at one another and I felt she knew what I was trying to do. She was the most beautiful heifer I had ever met and she had a look that spoke.
On my last morning at the farm, I entered the barn with a heavy heart, she twisted her head, gazed at me, my heart turned, tears streamed down my face. I felt her fear but what could I do. I fell to my knees, gave her the warm milk, stroked her head as I gazed into those beautiful eyes but this time in desperation I shouted at her, “You stupid cow why don’t you get up? They will shoot you.” I pulled and pushed but to no avail. She was lost and so was I.
I put her head into my lap, stroked her once more and kissed her cheek. Tears ran down my face. Unknown to me the farmer had entered the barn and ordered me out. The time had come.
I left but turned once more and gazed into those big brown eyes. She may have been a heifer but she had something special that I will always carry within me. She was my beautiful heifer.