A Cold Morning
The morning was cold and quiet like snowflakes falling to Earth. I take an even step onto the porch, nursing a cup of coffee in glove-clad hands as the heat produces billowing steam into the crisp air. I lean back against the house as I look out onto the land, my eyes skiing across the frozen pond before landing on the distant barn. Furrowing my brows, I hold my breath to listen more closely. I finish off my coffee with a bit more haste, dropping the mug off in the house before making my way to the barn. It’s unusual for my girls to make such a racket, bellowing so loudly. I keep a decent pace, quickly arriving at the barn. I crack open the door, grunting softly as I push it open. All of the cows are raising hell, their cacophonous lowing ringing throughout the barn. I whistle as I look at my biggest girl, Pearl; she’s on the ground snorting and mooing in distress.
“No wonder you were being so loud, mama.” I walk over to my work station, taking off my warm gloves to replace them with a long, plastic one on my right arm before walking back over to her pen. I push away some clumped up straw and get behind her, sliding my hand in her rear to check the condition of the baby. It feels like it’s coming out the correct way, except for the fact that its limbs are giving Pearl some trouble. “I hope you haven’t been like this too long, ol’ girl.” I slide my hand out after pushing the calf’s limbs into better positions and let Pearl push some more, but she doesn’t seem to make much progress.
I sigh, jogging more frantically over to my work station. I dig around, looking on the shelves and hooks for some chains. “Damn, you’d think I’d have chains lying around everywhere.” I dredge up some chains from a large chest next to my workbench after a bit of searching. I pat Pearl’s head softly as I walk behind her with the chains. “Don’t worry, girl. We’ll get it done.” By now, the other cows have quieted down some and the only sound is Pearl’s pained grunts and the clanking of the chains as I reach in to loop them around the calf. I curse softly to myself, having trouble getting the chains in place with one hand. I drop them on the ground and jog back to the workbench, swiftly pulling another glove on before moving behind Pearl once more. I reach in with the chain, grabbing the calf’s leg to secure the chain to it. I do the same to the other leg and slide the limbs into place, hoping to make the process go smoother. I pull my hands out with a huff before standing up, the opposite ends of the chains in my hands. I take a deep breath and tug softly to make sure that the chains don’t slip off immediately.
“Alright big girl. This’ll be cake, yeah?” I loop the chains around my hands for a better grip since the discharge covering the gloves is as slick as oil. I take a deep breath and pull, using my body weight as I plant my feet and lean back, tugging the chains. Pearl is quiet as she pushes, her body visibly contracting as she tries to force the calf out. I see the hooves start to emerge just as my hands start to slip again. I adjust my stance and reaffirm my grip on the chains, scolding myself for getting them covered in the slippery discharge.
“Come on, mama. Just a little more.” I start pulling the chains again, the links pinching against my hands as they bend against the force. My foot slips slightly on the puddle of blood and discharge on the ground, but I quickly recover and keep pulling as Pearl pushes. I watch as the calf slowly slides out, eventually flopping onto the ground. I quickly get on my knees, wiping the mucus from its nose and mouth. Vigorously rubbing the calf, I try to get a response. I feel worried because of the cold temperature, but I continue stimulating the calf until it snorts, shaking its little head. I smile softly and drag it over to Pearl so she can clean it off.
“Congratulations mama.” I say before walking off to get a heat lamp for the new little family.