Play Ball!
"You've got two choices, Daddy. Reach for the ball and I will grab it with my teeth and not let go so you can not throw it, roll it, bounce it, or in any way make the next move in our game. Or, you can not reach for the ball and I will bark and bark and bark at you."
Tater Tot Friday Bonus Bovine:
It seems inconceivable so soon after losing our beloved steer, Hey, back on March 2nd that we could have another cow in jeopardy so soon. This is Betsy, a rescue heifer who was already around age twenty when we adopted her from a no-win situation four years ago. It took a very long time for her to warm up to us as she had not been raised around people at all and now we are in the difficult position of trying to get her to trust us as we try to nurse her back to health.
While she is recovering from pneumonia it is so hard for her to understand the times she has to stay in the barn when everyone else is outside grazing in the sunshine. She doesn't like having her temperature taken and she really doesn't like any of the shots. She's had Vitamin B to get her stomachs moving, steroids to get her appetite up, and antibiotics to treat the infection.
She is getting better though and we'll keep on doing whatever we can for her. She deserves as many happy years as she can get. Otherwise, she may never know how this story ends that Donna is reading to her as they keep each other company in Betsy's stall!
Get well soon to her and a happy weekend to you all!
Lobbing some healing energy to Betsy.
Posted by: TandJ | May 02, 2008 at 05:51 AM
My bulldog does the same thing with the ball we got him. But, if he gets tired of chasing the ball, he will just hover over the ball and drool all over it while making a weird heavy breathing sound.
Best of wishes to Betsy
Posted by: Raul | May 02, 2008 at 06:14 AM
I do hope Betsy has a speedy recovery!!! Poor baby!!! As for Ms. Tater Tot, she's fabulous as always!!!
Posted by: Ana | May 02, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Betsy, you have someone who cares enough to read to you, straighten up and fly right girl! Best wishes for a speedy & full recovery.
Posted by: Gil | May 02, 2008 at 08:20 AM
I love the photo of Donna and Betsy enjoying quiet time together
Posted by: Diane | May 02, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Poor Betsy. I hope she gets well soon so she can get out and play with the other cows. Just out of curiosity, what sort of books does Betsy enjoy?
Posted by: EditThis | May 02, 2008 at 08:40 AM
you and donna are such awesome pet parents... how wonderful that betsy has been given a second chance at a happy life - i hope you guys are successful in bringing her health around ASAP...
and you must always do as tater says... tater knows BEST!
Posted by: mel | May 02, 2008 at 10:40 AM
betsy update. she's eating this morning. apples and alfalfa, and she's a little feisty, headbutting her mom and all. she did finish her stories, oscar wilde's "the happy prince" and "the remarkable rocket", and moved on to the golden books: "the pokey little puppy" "the saggy baggy elephant" and "the tawny scrawny lion", the ending of which caused her to moo non stop for about two minutes. she's quite the critic.
thanks for all the positive thoughts. i think she is going to be great in another week.
Posted by: your wife | May 02, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Glad to hear Betsy is having a pro active day. Our prayers are with her. We hope to meet her in July... kimmy
Posted by: kimmy | May 02, 2008 at 01:28 PM
bean - you and donna rock so hard! the pets are sure lucky to be part of your family - hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.
Posted by: Rob P | May 02, 2008 at 02:07 PM
You and your wife have a the biggest hearts when it comes to your animals. I'd admire that so much.
That's one lucky cow.
Posted by: mar5195 | May 02, 2008 at 03:42 PM
When I come back in my next life, I want to be a dog or a cow, but only if I can belong to Bean and Donna.
{{{{{Healthy energy}}}}} for Betsy, for continued healing.
Posted by: Stacey | May 02, 2008 at 04:30 PM
get well, lovely betsy!!
Posted by: monica | May 02, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Bean~
I wish nothing but health to Betsy. You and Donna are the best parents ever! Your love for animals speaks volumes as to the type of people you are. I still think about Hey all the time. I've always wanted a farm with all those animals. I still want a farm, I guess I need to leave the evil place to seek my dream. Anyway, I love updates about your animals on your blog. Betsy is beautiful just like Hey was Handsome.
Please keep us posted on Betsy.
Posted by: Kari | May 03, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Sending warm wishes and happy thoughts Betsy's way. Hope she feels better soon!
Posted by: Nicole | May 05, 2008 at 05:11 AM