On our nightly patrol this evening, Pudge found my old friend "santa bear" (oops....guess I did leave it in the field!). The good news is santa bear won't end up inside a hay bale!!  Pudge was quite proud of herself and refused to give it back to me even thoug its almost as big as she is!!  Just goes to show, you still have to watch your "friends"....maybe Max will be my friend - he seems to do anything for those cubes!

Turns out Max is quite the ladies man.  Madie was immediately taken with him and Millie isn't shy either.   He may only be visiting for a few weeks but hopefully Max will leave a lasting impression (in the form of two calves next spring!).  Maybe I should take some lessons from him....my "girls" just ignore me!

Some might think I am too old to walk around with a stuffed animal in my mouth....but those people just haven't lived!  My stuffed animals are like old friends - I can never have too many.  Last night, I brought my santa bear (apparently I go through so many stuffed toys that they are now purchased on the post-holiday sale rack) out to see the cows.  I guess I must have lost track of it though because now I can't seem to find it.....hopefully it won't end up inside a hay bale!!

My friend Pudge is growing up and it looks like she's going to be a fine little cow dog!!  She may only weigh 6lbs but she loves those cows.  Every night she joins Little Dog and me on our patrols (grabbing a cube here or there, of course).  Pudge seems to have conquered her fear of the cows....maybe too much....but the cows know a friend when they see one - and they DEFINITELY know good things come in small packages (just like them!)

This is Madie's bull calf...I am not sure what his name is as bull calves don't always get names around here (atleast until they are older anyway) but I hear a name is in his future!  He is a good looking boy although he must be a momma's boy because he's been calling for his mother so much he is actually hoarse!!  He's a half brother to TJ and is showing some signs that he might just become a herd bull when he grows up....time will tell, I guess.

My job is never done....but occasionally I need to take a break in this Texas heat!  Tonight I came out with my friends to visit Mr Ed - the mini pony. He is in "jail" because he ate too much and needs to slim down.  Unfortunately he is not too happy that the weaned calves get cubes and he doesn't!

These days "mommy" sounds alot like "moooooo" around here!  After several days of constant calling for their mothers, the babies have settled down.  They are getting used to life without milk and are starting to enjoy the company of Shiraz, their nanny (until she gives birth to her own baby....one of these days!).  I hear they are headed for the vet this week so it should be interesting to see them get in the trailer....stay tuned for that one!!

Not only was my sleep disturbed this weekend by Rosie's constant mooing, I now have a new member of the herd to watch over!  As the babies are gettig weaned and halter broken, SS Maxmillion has come to visit Madie and Millie.  He isn't quite sure what to think about me (or his temporary home) but I still watch over him....he's in the circle of trust!

After graduation, there was a slight delay before some of the family returned.....turns out I was left to watch the cows while SOME PEOPLE went on their last pre-baby vacation.  Hummmm - some people get to have all the fun while others are hard at work!!