Introducing Gloria

On Saturday, July 13th, on my lunch break, Hazel gave birth to a beautiful girl calf. I arrived in the stable as she arrived in the world. It was glorious! And so, I've named her Gloria; as to witness the miracle of God's glory in creation, was a gift from Him.

I watched as she pushed up her back legs first, then her front, before taking her first wobbly steps towards me, finally putting her wet nose in my hands. She then walked over to her mum, who had worked up an appetite and was eating the oaten hay I'd brought with me.

After sucking on Hazel's leg, then the side of her udder, I managed to show her where the teats were and she latched and drank well.

Little Gloria is very trusting and curious, and I am able to sit with her in the stable or she follows me into the milking area to watch me milk. She likes to put her head in my hands and loves a chin scratch, just like her mum. I started taking a small amount of milk on day four, as Hazel was dripping from three teats while Gloria fed from the other. I'm now milking two litres in the morning and the evening, which the kids are enjoying; it's the creamiest milk we've had! Hazel stands patiently still while I milk her, without a tether and not moving her feet at all. She is one amazing cow!

Gloria is just starting to venture out into the paddock, following her mum and playing happily. She will be a week old tomorrow. She and Hazel will stay together and in a couple of years, Gloria will be my second milker.

I truly love cows! Especially these two special girls.