A Calf Adapts to Circumstances after Hurricane Harvey Devastates the Land
In many people's eyes, cows are simply livestock that provide us with milk and meat. They eat grass and reside in a stable. However, a calf born near Houston experienced a natural disaster that it was not expected to survive. Nonetheless, it discovered a surprising way to endure.
Texan Couple Trapped in Hurricane Harvey
In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey brought despair to many individuals in Louisiana, Belize, Nicaragua, Texas, and numerous other locations. Numerous roads were flooded, and countless people lost their homes.
During this trying time, Tammy Canton and her husband had to devise an emergency plan. They were just two among thousands who had to restructure their lives. Yet, their situation was particularly complicated...
The Cantons Opened Their Home as a Refuge
The Cantons offered their home as shelter for two other families and even eight additional dogs! Imagine the bustling atmosphere amid a natural disaster. Things were getting quite tight in Fulshear, Texas.
And then, without any warning, Tammy's husband spotted something that would make the situation even more challenging and require additional space. What exactly had he discovered? You can never accurately predict what will happen next during a hurricane.
Their Refuge Continued to Be Occupied
If you were in this situation, what would be the last thing you would expect? Well, one of the family's cows gave birth to a calf at an extremely unexpected moment. "My husband saw the calf in the water, and it hadn't been nursing from its mother," explained Tammy.
Typically, a calf would immediately consume milk after being born. If that doesn't happen, it can be particularly dangerous. Something else was happening as well.
A Weak Calf
"The water was extremely cold," Tammy added. "And right after birth, it was far from an ideal situation." Have you ever seen a stray dog sitting in the rain? This was somewhat similar, only much worse. Tammy also noticed that the calf appeared particularly frail, shivering in the rain.
What would the couple do about it? One thing was certain: they would not stand idly by while the animal suffered in the cold.
Taking Prompt Action
It is widely known, not just among farmers, that young animals cannot survive for long on their own. The weather was dreadful, and the circumstances were highly precarious. Without assistance, the calf would perish swiftly. Time was of utmost importance.
Tammy was well aware of the situation, and she and her husband had to take action. The house was already filled with people and dogs, but now they had to perform a heroic deed for the calf.
Help on the Way
Tammy and her husband ventured into the floodwaters to save the young calf! We cannot estimate how many people would have done the same. When Tammy arrived back at the house with the calf, they witnessed just how dire its condition truly was.
The animal was extremely weak, barely able to stand, and trembling all over. "It almost seemed like we had arrived too late," Tammy said, with a concerned expression. What obstacles could the calf overcome?
Its Name Was Harveigh
Tammy and her family decided to at least give the calf a name. They named it Harveigh! Being so young, it had not yet developed an immune system. Without the help of its mother, the odds were stacked against the calf.
They even called a veterinarian, who recommended keeping Harveigh indoors at all times while she tried to regain strength. Therefore, Harveigh needed a place in the house, and the laundry room seemed ideal for that purpose.
Calf Forms Unexpected Friendship
The first few hours were critical. But after they passed, time flew by quickly. Weeks went by, and Harveigh seemed to have a real future. She often slept in a dog bed and was fed milk from a bottle.
As time went on, Harveigh grew stronger and Tammy hoped that she would soon be able to live with the other animals. Surprisingly, Harveigh befriended the other animals as they too were recovering...
Unlikely Canine Love
Contrary to what one might assume, pit bulls are filled with happiness and love. One evening, the family's pit bull, Sealy, began licking Harveigh's head, to which she seemed to quite enjoy. "All the dogs seem to love her instantly," Tammy said.
This was just the beginning of something very special and unexpected. What could possibly happen to Harveigh and the rest of the family?
A New Friendship
Before their eyes, the beginning of a beautiful friendship started to blossom. It was like something out of a wonderful children's book. Harveigh began to recover from her past and she loved her new surroundings. She even started to mimic the behavior of the family dogs.
She became one of them, playing with them every day. Who could have predicted this? The family certainly didn't expect it.
Friendship of the Animal Kingdom
The good news is that the feeling was mutual! It was like something out of a Disney movie, their dynamic was truly unique. Can you even imagine the friendship between a calf and a pit bull?
"Sealy loves playing with Harveigh, grooming her, and protecting her. The two of them have a special bond," Tammy wrote on her Facebook profile. Tammy truly cherished every second of this experience.
Special Adaptation
As one can imagine, the family's home was not designed for the life of a small cow. The calf, who got along so well with the pit bulls, eventually grew to over 200 pounds. She soon outgrew the house, and Tammy had to come up with a solution.
Harveigh had become too big to fit in the laundry room! As a result, she needed a new place to sleep. What would Tammy and her husband come up with to make Harveigh comfortable?
Calf Problems
When a calf lives indoors from the beginning, only one thing can happen: it becomes accustomed to the luxuries and doesn't want to live outside anymore. And that's exactly what happened with little Harveigh. After a while, she wouldn't even glance outside at the other cows.
When Tammy and her husband would take her to the barn, she would immediately run back to the house. So, what would they do?
Welcome to the Cow Apartment
Tammy and her husband did what any loving cow parents would do. They came up with a solution that would be comfortable for Harveigh without disrupting their household too much. They built what they called the "Cow Apartment" using a garden shed.
It had heating and provided her with her own sleeping space. It was a compromise for the calf - she didn't have to live in the barn but also couldn't sleep inside the house anymore.
Not Liking the New Place
Despite Tammy giving Harveigh her own space, it seemed that it wasn't enough. The first few nights in the Cow Apartment didn't go well, and the next morning, they found Harveigh lying outside the front door.
Why didn't she want to stay in her apartment? Harveigh tried everything to spend as little time as possible there. She much preferred being with the dogs and the family. The solitary life just wasn't for her.
Things Started to Change
As time went on, Harveigh grew bigger, as cows do. With her newfound size, it became somewhat dangerous for her smaller friends. Harveigh was used to playing with other animals, so it was difficult for her to adjust to playing less.
Soon, there always had to be someone present when the dog and the cow interacted. Her size was just getting in the way of playtime. Nobody wanted the dogs to get hurt.
Becoming a Cow
For those who have been following the story so far, it is clear that Harveigh did not live a normal life and had a different upbringing than the average cow. Tammy had to do everything in her power to acclimate Harveigh to a regular cow's life.
She took several steps to begin the process. Tammy brought Harveigh on visits to the other cows, which the young calf didn't always enjoy. It seemed as though the attempts might be in vain...
The Transition
"We introduced her slowly," explained Tammy. "It's so hard to motivate her, but if she's going to learn how to be a proper cow, then she needs to observe the other cows," she added.
It was almost like acclimating a house-dwelling dog to the outdoors. It wasn't easy, for neither the cow nor Tammy. It took a long time for Harveigh to grasp the concept of being a cow.
A Cunning Cow
Maybe you have a pet and know how quickly they find ways to bend the rules. During this time, Harveigh even managed to open the back door of the house and sneak in by herself.
But eventually, it happened! She observed the cows more closely and felt more comfortable. However, there were still rules for Harveigh. "She's not allowed to roam freely in the house. Short visits are fine if she wants to see the dogs," explained Tammy.
A Happy Harveigh
Yes, in the end, Harveigh had to shed most of her dog habits and adapt to a cow's life. However, Tammy still can't resist giving her extra attention and occasionally treats her to a dog snack.
"It fills my heart with joy that I've spent so much time with her. Sometimes she comes over and puts her head on my lap when I'm sitting in the pasture," Tammy explained. This truly was a wonderful experience!