Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A Girl's Best Friend

I am sure that we all grew up hearing the phrase "a girls best friend is a diamond."  While I wouldn't ever turn something sparkly down, diamonds are not what I am referring to today.

Just over eleven years ago  Miss Westway 669K was born at Westway Farms.  That December Tom and Carol Hadway offered her for sale in the Checkers Sale.  Stacy purchased her for her YCS and 4H project.  Although her registered name was Miss Westway 669K the Hadway kids had affectionately named her "Ruffles".

Ruffles as Simmental Champion
Provincial 4H Heifer Show 2001
Ruffles exceeded our expectations.  She showed very well for Stacy claiming many championships in 4H at the district, regional and provincial levels.  She then went on to be a great momma cow.  Her first 4 calves were bulls.  They all made the bull pen and were usually the first ones to sell for some of the highest prices.

SLY Top Notch - herdsire for Darrell Moranda
SLY Dirty Money 119W
Granddaughter of Ruffles that sold to Colt's Cattle Co
She then started to give Stacy some females, again all of them were of high enough quality to stay in our herd or be offered through a breeding sale.

Ruffles paid for Stacy to go to college, bought her 2 cars (that's another story), and was a consistent source of agriculture income for her.  But more importantly Ruffles was Stacy's best friend.  I believe that they were soul mates.  Ruffles could be any where in the pasture and if Stacy called her name, she would come over for a scratch.  Stacy could get her to do things that no one else could.  I know that over the years they have had many heart to heart talks.

Miss Westway 669K - Ruffles
This morning was a sad one.  Ruffles got on the trailer for the last time.  She slipped her calf late in the fall and is open.  Although Rob had promised Stacy that she could stay on the farm forever, we all know that tough decisions have to be made.  It's not realistic to feed open cows - even if they are your best friend. Stacy made the hard decision yesterday and last night I gave Ruffles a good combing and I took out her ear tag.  Stacy will have that and so many memories of her.  Her daughters continue to make a big contribution to our herd and we will have fond memories of her.  She really has been a girl's best friend.

Thanks Ruffles for being a part of our family.  We will miss you.

7 comments:

Carrie Oliver said...

A relationship with a soul is far better than a sparkly diamond, you are right. My best to Ruffles, your daughter, and your family.

Leontien said...

loved the post and loved your daughters post as well!

Thanks for putting things in perspective

Leontien

www.littlemissbookwurm.blogspot.com

Ray said...

Touching story and almost gets to me...

Janet said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I can relate to the emotional ties we have with those silly animals. Put a lot of best friends on the truck after a 4-H sale and it never got easier. Whoever said cows were stupid never had a pet in one!

Unknown said...

Oh my! First I read your post about Kurt, now I read this and the tears are flowing. I'm so sorry for Stacy and all of you. It's amazing how attached you can get to these animals. They each have their own personality, and when you find one you "click" with, it brings such joy. The loss of Ruffles and Kurt must have left a big hole in your heart, and I pray that God will fill that hole with something else just as special. Sending you my love....
Paige

HighCountryCattle said...

Thank you everyone for your kind words. Those of us that are keepers of stock really do have their best interests at heart.

RobynBeazley said...

Tear! What an amazing tribute ;) You're an awesome Mom, Dee.