His worried mom continued to bathe him and encourage him to get up.
But it was evident that there was a spinal cord injury and that he would never be able to walk. There was a major disconnect between his neck and all 4 legs.
So it is with a very heavy heart that I must inform you all that Tiny Tim is no longer with us.
We tried.
It continues to snow.
Farmer Chip continues to shovel off the hay and roll those monster bales to the herd without a tractor or a barn to shelter cows or hay.
I continue to water the cows and check on the buried fences and the health and contentment of all the members of the herd.
There have been many barn collapses in Vermont, trapping many cows, and some employees, under roofs and snow.
These are just a few of the many :
2 barns in Putney, Vermont - 12 calves killed
http://www.reformer.com/ci_17299549
1 Barn in Londonderry, Vermont - 2 cows killed/ 36 shipped because there was no where to house them.
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=13979147
http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_17314394
1 barn in Chester, Vermont - 4 cows killed
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=13993403
http://vpr.net/news_detail/89991/
Red Cross Volunteers deployed to barn collapse
http://redcrossvtnhv.blogspot.com/2011/02/green-mtn-dat-on-scene-of-chester-barn.html?spref=fb
1 barn Essex, Vermont
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110205/NEWS02/110204021/Snow-collapses-Essex-barn
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=13993403
Bath NH- good photos, sad story
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Firefighters+work+to+rescue+cattle+caught+in+Bath+barn+collapse&articleId=a16b7185-f51a-497d-9ab4-b2862944bc75
New York, NH & Maine barns:
http://deskbar.google.com/news/more?pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&ncl=d1xy841J6rjeXMMb4k6Whegr_TtBM
Please continue prayers for the livestock that inhabit snowlaiden barns, the farmers who care for them and the emergency responders who rescue them.
I have been so worried for the little calf. We are of a rural background here in the Garden Spot and are well aware of the harsh realities of nature, livestock, and life on the farm. None the less, we grieve when we suffer such a loss, and life goes on. You write beautifully and honorably of your livestock, and I am drawn to read your adventures. While here in the west we have heard in the news of the heavy snows in the east, we really don't know of the causalities beyond the jammed highways and heavy snow fall. We keep you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your calf. I was afraid that something like that happened when he didn't get up. It just makes me sick to see all of the barn collapse in your area. I will keep you and your state in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, you did your best though and rather than see him suffer it was certainly kindest to let him go . The roof of the dairy up the road form my folks collapsed a wek or so ago killing 12 head of dairy cows. Terrible tradgedies, the loss of the stock ,and the good people also affected by this .
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry Tiny Tim didn't make it. I have heard from people that they think cows are just dumb animals. But you and I know better. They are very gentle souls. I will keep you and your family in my prayers that you animals will be safe.
ReplyDeleteJanis,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Tiny Tim's injury, but it sounds as if you did what was best. His poor mama. I just feel so bad for all of you, all the losses due to winter snows. Praying Spring heads your way soon. I know I can say I'm ready for Spring and we haven't even had much of a winter.
Hugs and again so... sorry for your loss,
Kelle
I'm so sorry! My heart goes out to you...it's never easy to lose an animal. You tried so hard. Continued prayers...
ReplyDeleteWhen there was no post yesterday, I was afraid of the worst. He didn't look like he was suffering, and he had his family around for comfort. It was the best of a bad situation.
ReplyDeleteThe snow came off the south side of the barn during the night on Sunday night. It had come off the north side a week or more ago. It took out all the fences along the barn. The lean-tos, built to protect animals from the snow, did their job.
The cows had access to outside but the chickens were locked in for the night. Good thing, because they don't have a lean-to over their tiny door.
We were greeted by a calf in the backyard Monday morning. They got her back to the barn and inside. The steer had stayed where he belonged and was inside filling his face. But it took all day to move enough snow to repair the fences.
So sorry about Tiny Tim. These losses are so hard. Hang in there. I admire your dedication to your herd.
ReplyDeleteFrom Glory Farm,
Rhonda
I know how hard this is for you and want you to know we are here for you. Peace and Love, M~
ReplyDeleteWinter is hard on everything. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of this little calf. In a way you have helped. We were thinking about putting up one of those shelters this summer. Now I have definitely changed my mind. The first winter after we moved to Maine I awoke to sirens and flashing lights going by. Out here that is a thankfully rare event. I noticed that the whole horizon to the north was red and glowing. There had been a barn fire and over 150 calves were lost and 50 hefers. The farmer was able to get many out. He almost lost his house too. Like I said. Winter is hard. Much Love and Prayers.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry! Losing something that you love is never ever easy.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
I am so, so sorry. This is heart breaking. His momma trying to get him up and going and his cute little face.I know this is so hard.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
Amy
Awww... Thats so sad about Tiny Tim, he was a pretty lil calf. Thats awful about the barns, very scary.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tragic story. I really am sorry to hear of the sad outcome for this beautiful little creature. Amazing to see how his herd stuck by him and was so supportive. In the midst of tragedy we see many creatures (human and others!) at their best. Good luck with the remaining winter, I pray no further trouble comes your way.
ReplyDeleteThis winter has been horrible for all animals. I think of the wildlife that will die due to starvation, but it never occured to me that animals would die due to building collapse.
ReplyDeleteThis is just horrible. I love cows and stopped eating them years ago.
I am so sorry for your loss. I understand this part of beef farming. We have lost two this year. I cannot believe the barn collapses that is so scary, you must have way more snow then we do.
ReplyDeleteI find cattle very nurturing to each other.You see them gather round the sick and dying all the time. Thanks for visiting my blog. B
What a brave little calf. I loved the picture of him contentedly eating hay. It seems like he didn't suffer much pain. It is always hard to make a decision, humane as it is, to end an animal's life. What a sad day for you and the others involved with Tiny Tim. But, what a nice tribute to him here.
ReplyDeleteI've never thought much about roof collapses. I appreciate the heads up. Usually here we build for snow load but I wonder for how much and how long.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about Tiny Tim. It's been a harsh winter for barns and cattle this year.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog.
☼ Sunny
Oh my gosh, I'm so terribly sorry Tiny Tim couldn't be saved... now I'm crying again... I really shouldn't read things like this, but I just can't help it! You all worked so hard to save him & I'm terribly sorry about all the others that were lost, too... the weather is just HORRIBLE!
ReplyDeleteHe was taken care of in his last hours & he was comfortable, thanks to you & your friends! =)