This morning this is our thermometer. Tom saw it get down to 10 degrees a little later. So not in the single digits yet! But, since our pellet stove tried to burn the house down last year and now we are dependent on electric heat, the best we have inside is 60 degrees.
After doing the animal chores (which involved a lot of ice breaking), I got cold. And I couldn’t heat up no matter what I did. We added an additional plug in electric heater and got it up to 62 degrees. But I had some errands to run and was able to warm up in my car.
Very sadly today, we found out that Marji had a broken hip, and we had her put down. We have no idea how this happened, and now I have a farmer’s guilt about her suffering three days while we figured it out. I swear the guilt never ends. I feel like I try my best and sometimes it is just not good enough. But she is no longer in pain.
She was 10 years old, would be 11 in April. She was born to Rosemary and Titan. We had purchased Rosemary, a Dexter cow, the previous October in Deming, already breed to a Dexter bull. Rosemary became ill after delivery but recovered with Ketogel, CMPK and IVF, but we had to bottle feed Marji (short for Marjoram) initially.
Marji being bottle fed 04/13
Marji weaned 11/13
Marji and Dillweed 12/13
Dillweed was a steer that we purchased when we got Rosemary. Unfortunately Rosemary died after her next delivery with Indy.
Marji 01/14
Marji and Indy 11/14
We breed Marji to Rowdy, a Highland bull, in 2015, and she had Sydney in 2016.
Rowdy and Marji 10/15
Marji 03/16
Marji and Sydney 08/16
We bred her to Tormund, a Highland bull, in 2017, and she had Bug in 2018.
Marji and Bug 04/18
Marji 10/19
Marji checking me out 06/20
Bug and Marji eating apples 10/20
Marji eating 01/21
We attempted to breed her to Rory, another Highland bull, in 2022, but she didn’t become pregnant, although we had seen her in heat.
Marji in heat 02/22
Marji 04/23
And then, of course, we found her down in the pasture hypothermic three days ago. We got her to the barn and warmed up. She was eating and drinking well but was never able to get up. So today we had to say goodbye. RIP Marji.
Oh no. I’m so sorry Donna. That’s a really hard day. Rest in peace Marji.
(Denise)
Thanks Denise. It was a really hard day.
So sorry for the loss of a fine looking gal. Grief is a big deal on the farm and never gets easy. Take care and stay warm.
Rita
Thanks Rita. Grief is part of the issue but the guilt is more difficult. I wish I had recognised that it was a hip fracture sooner and not made her suffer an additional 3 days. She didn’t appear to be in pain to me, just weak. Live and learn I guess. I am trying to stay warm, keep the animals alive and the pipes flowing.
I’m sad you lost her. What a fine looking creature! Farming always has its gains and losses. Forgive yourself, and renege her fondly.
And by all means, but another heater!
Hugs from the balmy south,
Kim
Thanks Kim. We do have another heater going.
Margi knew you loved her ❤️
Thanks Diane. I hope so.
Donna, I’m really sorry about what happened to Marji. Please don’t beat yourself about it. I understand, though. My daughter and I have gone through a similar thing with our sweet Chica cat, recently. She refused to eat for several days, and we finally decided the best thing to do was euthanasia. We chose to go to a new-to-us vet, who was super nice. All of the staff members were great. But we still feel badly about it.
Marji was beautiful. I’m glad you got to enjoy her for a good while.
Take care. Get your rest. I hope you’ll be able to keep your house warm during this cold weather.
I am so sorry about Chica. It is hard trying to decide what is best sometimes.
I’m sorry about Marji. It’s so hard when they can’t tell us what hurts. Tomorrow I’m saying goodbye to my Ruger. Tough decision and lots of tears.
I am so sorry about Ruger, Liz! It is so hard sometimes.
This breaks my heart for you all. I’m so sorry about Marji.
– Ciara
Thank you Ciara. I ran across a video of Marji and her calf Bug today 6 years ago and it pulled my heartstrings.