Nine head of cattle roam the sanctuary grounds – Mama Red and her baby Bumper – #37 and her baby Uncle Jack – Lena(named after the great jazz singer Lena Horne) – Frankie, Sammy and Dino(the Rat Pack) and Gorby. We affectionately refer to them as organic lawnmowers. They have taught us so much over the years.
When most people think about HartSong Ranch, they reflect on our work with and dedication to animals with special needs. In fact, most people think our devotion to animals with special needs is what encouraged our efforts to become a non-profit animal welfare organization.
The fact of the matter is, nothing could be further from the truth. It all began when #37 entered our lives… Knowing her, changed our path…
Here is her story…
# 37...
In the spring of 2005, 17 cattle stepped off a stock trailer and bounded onto the pastures of HartSong Ranch. Their job was an easy one for cattle. All they had to do was munch down 30 acres of waist high pasture grass. Almost immediately, they all started to eat — except for one cow… #37.
She was in a state of panic. For the next two days she ran the fence lines… down to the pond… up through the barnyard… down through the bramble on the back side of the property and all the while she bellowed, mooed, salivated and cried. I thought perhaps she was sick so I called the rancher who had most graciously donated his cattle to take down the overgrown pastures…
Woodrow...
The early part of July 2010, Woodrow, a Black Angus calf – born blind and a sanctuary resident for 6 months, was discovered slowly staggering up the gravel drive headed for the west barn. From a distance, it was quite evident that something was horribly wrong – his head was cocked in a funny sort of way and he appeared to have difficulty with his balance, almost walking as if drunk…