Rest in Peace Sweet Ruby Rose
Forever in our hearts, Ruby Rose was destined to be our family milk cow before her untimely passing on January 27th, 2025.
I wanted to put somewhat of a “Memorial Page” up for her.
It might seem silly to some to do that for a cow, but she was more than mere livestock to us. She was cuddly, affectionate, came when you called her name and she was part of our family. She will be terribly missed!
We acquired Ruby Rose in February of 2024 from an Amish friend in Cullen, VA. He was willing to rehome her due to his concern for her small stature and therefore foreseen poor future growth. We were happy at the thought of our own family milk cow (she was a Jersey calf which is a good milk breed) and willing to give her a chance to grow.
Once we brought her back home to our farm, we instantly fell in love with her! We decided it was a good idea to have a “friend” for her since she wasn’t quite big enough to be in with the herd and would need closer monitoring. Chewy (our first bottle baby- the rejected twin from a cow at a neighboring farm) was the perfect friend for Ruby Rose!
Then the work commenced! We spent many days, weeks, even months trying to tend to our newest addition and give her the care she needed. She had to be bottle fed on a strict schedule and required other supplements along the way. It was very “touch and go” for the first few months. At times she refused to eat, was lethargic and had GI issues to put it politely. We consulted other seasoned farm friends and the internet to try to give her what she needed to thrive.
After many stressful encounters she finally graduated from the bottle and her as well as Chewy were able to be introduced into the herd. The herd was at first slow to warm up but eventually they tolerated the new two and all was well.
During all this we grew very attached to our sweet Ruby Rose and realized she indeed lived up to her name as she had a very “Rosey” disposition! When we would go to the pasture and call her (I would say, “Ruby Roooo!”) she would eagerly come running up to us for several minutes of hugs and pets. She was always soo affectionate and loving!
Sometimes we would even get an occasional cow kiss!
And she was always the one we could take ANYONE into the pasture and let them love on her, even kiddos! She just loved attention and you couldn’t help but love her with as sweet and gentle as she was.
We do not know why she left us when she did. Perhaps she had an affliction from birth that destined her to never reach adulthood. But we do not regret trying. She will forever be my sweet girl and I will cherish all the fond memories we were blessed to have with her.
Rest in peace my sweet Ruby Rose!