Proud to Be . . . an AMNCG!

One of my cattle forums was visited this winter by someone named "Taurus" who seemed to have it in for Dexters and women--on a board where numerous women truly love their Dexter family cows.

Taurus wrote that where he's from Dexters "are the exclusive domain of the amateur mentality nouveau country gals from the suburbs who have this misty morning and rainbows fantasy about farming."  (Note the misty morning above and the rainbow below.  I confess to loving them both!) 

He accused these "amateur mentality nouveau country gals" of buying into the propaganda about Dexters, of misunderstanding all animals (even their pets), of adopting poor breeding practices which have ruined the breed in his area, and of making all their decisions based on emotions, convenience and aesthetics.  Some of his last words were, "Life is not a Disney movie."

A few of us joked among ourselves about being "Amateur Mentality Nouveau Country Gals," which we soon shortened to "AMNCG."  The more I thought about it, the more I realized that, by Taurus' definition, I am an AMNCG!

A little over five years ago, I was living in the suburbs growing flowers in my neatly manicured garden.  I had never touched a cow except to pet one at a State Fair, much less thought of owning one, milking her, or raising our own beef.

Then, rather on a whim, we bought a house on 29 acres in the country, far removed from suburbia.  One day a visitor looked out at the grassy hills behind our house and commented, "You've got a lot of grass going to waste.  You should get a cow!"  And that was the beginning of my Dexter story.

From not knowing anything about cows, I have learned to recognize the signs of calving, to halter train young calves, to deal with mastitis and a self-sucking cow, to treat bloat (and better yet how to prevent it), to secure a cow for treatment when there's no squeeze chute, and to handle a bull.

But I do think that rainbows make everything a little brighter, and why shouldn't a cow be the next Disney princess?

I believe we can teach the world to sing in perfect harmony by teaching one child at a time where their food comes from, even when it's that cute calf they played with.

My granddaughter made me that rainbow-covered heart pillow for Christmas and my all-boy grandson wanted to hold the rainbow parasol, so it looks like they agree!

It's true--life is not a Disney movie--and when it's not, I'm a fierce protector of my cattle.  I can't do everything, and I know when to call the vet.  After all, I was 54 years old when we got our first cow, and I live with various physical limitations.  But I've taken on blazing sun, pouring rain, gooey mud and predators from flies to coyotes in defense of my animals.  I've gone from complete bovine ignorance to dealing with everyday life on a farm.  So yes, I am an AMNCG--and proud to be one!

Thank you to my daughter Jenny for the great photos--and to Siobhan for her patience when all she wanted to do was eat that nice, green grass!