Living in the country with cows

I consider where we live in Belgium as "the country."  I have never lived in the country before.  Michael and I both grew up in suburban St. Louis, went away to college towns, and moved to the city of St. Louis when we were married.   However, I really like living where we live.  It's so peaceful.  Our street is very idyllic.  Did you know that you can actually do a street view of our street through google maps?  It's like you are actually walking down our street and can turn to see houses and everything.  If interested, I can give you the address privately.  It's a pretty cool way to walk through our village, so to speak. 

I have to admit that I have become quite fond of the cows across the street.  I enjoy seeing them grazing when I take Mike and the boys to the base in the morning.  You can actually hear them munching on the grass.  And when I see them do something new like drink from the water trough or a calf nuzzling up to its mom, I am in awe.  The local neighbors probably could careless about the cows.  They are used to them.  Not me. 

So, I have to admit that I got a pit in my stomach when I saw a cow being taken away.  :(  This particular cow was on one side of the land all by itself.  And it was lying down.  The cows usually tend to stay in a pack for the most part.  There were two farmers.  One was in a tractor, and one had a rope.  I stared.  The one in the tractor started driving next to the cow so it would cause the cow to stand up.  It did.  The other man put the rope around the cow's neck, and then preceded to tie it to the tractor.  I could see what was happening.  Pit in stomach worsened.  The tractor drove slowly pulling the cow.  At this point, the other cows started to follow.  One even started to skip (as though he wanted to be "in the know").   The cow who was being walked started to resist.  Skidding.  At that point, I got in my car and started to leave.  I saw that there was a trailer on the other side of the house.  The tractor and cow were getting close to the trailer, but as I drove away, I saw that the cow had broken the rope free.   I didn't see the rest, but I am sure that they eventually got the cow into the trailer. 

Maybe the cow was headed to see the vet.  Doubtful.  I'm sure we all know where it was headed.  Most of you are probably laughing right now.   I know...I know...God put animals on this earth for us to eat.   I can chuckle at this too, but I have to admit, I was sad for the cow.  I am not a vegetarian.  I know where beef comes from.  I LOVE a good steak.  I have even milked a cow once at Purina Farms when I was a young girl, but never have I been so close to a farm on a regular basis.  Seeing the cows disappear will take some getting used to.  I just hope that farmer doesn't take all the cows at once.  I hope we continue to see them year round. 

Having a drink

They stick together

Secret Cow Meeting