Why Is Leaving So Hard?

Leaving my animals for a whole week is something that I struggle with. I usually am only gone from my animals for a week every summer when I go to Ocean City, MD for vacation. But this summer, I also went to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. We were there for a week and it kills me every time I leave!

They were in good hands, though. My cousin who used to show cattle in 4-H and FFA  stayed at our house all week. I am always afraid though that while I’m gone, my animals will forget about me for some reason. Like, I will get back from my trip and they’ll be crazy. I think I’M the crazy one.

Usually all my families “vacations” are considered cattle shows, and my buddies get to travel with me, but not this time! I only wish I could bring cows to the beach. Wouldn't that be a sight?

Speaking of not seeing my four legged friends for a while, Matt (my show puppy) was gone since July 31st to August 14th . He was gone for 2 weeks traveling to shows with his breeder. He went to some Virginia shows, and then traveled to Pennsylvania for a show cluster. We picked him up Sunday at his show in Harrisburg, PA. Yes—where NJAS was this year! There are dog shows there all the time. He didn't win anything major, but he won his class at all his shows.

But all was well when we came, now we are just waiting on a cow to calve. She was the due the 15th….

Your Marylander,

Taylor

P.S- Thought I’d leave you with a quick quote ;)

“Four leggers are always more honest than two leggers.” –Ann Lettis

When You Think Of Farming

What do you think of when you think of farming?

To any of you that are ag enthusiasts and are reading this, this question is probably easy and not all that significant. But what do you think others think of?

Education, education, education. That is what’s needed! If you walked up to any city dweller in Washington D.C today, more than likely if you ask this question someone would say something about being a vegan, or animal cruelty. Our society today is so influenced by PETA promoters and more people of the type that children that are being raised in this generation are basically being fed these false views on farming.

Now, I am not disagreeing at all with Animal Cruelty as a whole. I do not agree with animal abuse whatsoever, but that being said, I am not a vegan, vegetarian (whatever they are calling themselves these days..) or PETA member. I obviously 100% support ag, farms, and animal production.

One of my favorite things is going to our State Fair and just watching how people react to all the animals. You see, our state fair is small enough that you can’t just go to the midway and stay away from the animals. I mean, you could, but, the animals are basically right beside the midway, except for cattle and pigs whose barns a little further down. But some of the people who walk through those barns seriously disgust me. Some people are so crazy as to come right up to you and basically scold you for having animals tied up to the panels. I usually just laugh and shake my head and say, “They like it, they’re used to it.” And then they storm off.

I also love teaching kids about ag. Every chance I get I love to teach a kid about an animal they may not have known about, and if I am at a show like the state fair, I always encourage them to come pet my cattle and let them talk to them. See, one more advantage of naming cows! It’s fun to teach kids about cows when they can know the name of the cow. Much better than those steer jocks who have no name for the animal and could care less about the kid wanting to pet the cow. Heaven forbid someone touches that hair. Ooops! I’m rambling…. Steer jocks can be saved for a later day ;)

Alright, so I hope I am leaving you with a good thought…

Your Marylander,

Taylor

p.s- check out the Maryland State Fair