COWS ARE COOL: LOVE ‘EM!
13.
Gentle Giants
Cows are emotional animals who have likes and dislikes, just like humans do. The chairman of the National Farmers Union in the United Kingdom, Tim Sell, explains, “They are all individuals and all have their own characteristics. They are tremendously curious. They have emotional storms. When it is a miserable, cold day, they will all be miserable, but when it is nice and sunny, you can almost see them smiling.”
Many cows are affectionate animals who are deeply loyal to their families and human companions. Cows can use their body posture and vocal sounds to express a whole range of emotions, including contentment, interest, anger, and distress. These gentle giants mourn the death of those they love, even shedding tears over their loss.
Gentle Giants
Cows are emotional animals who have likes and dislikes, just like humans do. The chairman of the National Farmers Union in the United Kingdom, Tim Sell, explains, “They are all individuals and all have their own characteristics. They are tremendously curious. They have emotional storms. When it is a miserable, cold day, they will all be miserable, but when it is nice and sunny, you can almost see them smiling.”
Many cows are affectionate animals who are deeply loyal to their families and human companions. Cows can use their body posture and vocal sounds to express a whole range of emotions, including contentment, interest, anger, and distress. These gentle giants mourn the death of those they love, even shedding tears over their loss.
Like humans and all animals, cows show strong reactions to bad treatment. For example, Dr. Ed Pajor of Purdue University found that cows resent being handled roughly: “The handlers don’t have to be really mean and hit the cows. It’s just a slap on the rump in the way that many farmers would. But the cows don’t like it and it makes a real difference.”
With kind treatment, cows can be very loyal companions. Anyone who has spent time with cows knows that they look out for their friends, both human and animal. In her book Peaceful Kingdom: Random Acts of Kindness by Animals, Stephanie Laland writes that when the Rev. O. F. Robertson began to go blind, his cow Mary became his “seeing-eye cow.” Mary would walk along with him, nudging him away from obstacles. She diligently accompanied Robertson everywhere he went for the rest of his life.
With kind treatment, cows can be very loyal companions. Anyone who has spent time with cows knows that they look out for their friends, both human and animal. In her book Peaceful Kingdom: Random Acts of Kindness by Animals, Stephanie Laland writes that when the Rev. O. F. Robertson began to go blind, his cow Mary became his “seeing-eye cow.” Mary would walk along with him, nudging him away from obstacles. She diligently accompanied Robertson everywhere he went for the rest of his life.
Why I love cows?
Why I love cows? Well, I rent a piece of land opposite a meadow where the farmer has two cows. Each year (regrettably) the eldest is destined for meat... In the meantime (mean time for the animals), I try to make their limited life-span as comfortable as possible by offering them carrots. This has been going on for many years and I’m still surprised by the difference in personality structure these animals have: cuddly ones, downright naughty ones, playful or indifferent ones .. a vast variety of character traits that one also finds in humans.
Well, to answer the question why I love them ... they are all individuals and to talk to them, and stare into the deepness of their beautiful eyes gives me a feeling of connection to an animal world that is much closer to us than most people imagine!
~Ray Massart, Belgium
