Doesn’t it make your heart sing that our “official” birthday fairy godmother’s wishes are granted for the bovines, too!? Thank you, Paulette, for sponsoring a day of sanctuary in honor of Honey Cow and her 14th birthday!
As a Jersey cow who began her life on a dairy farm, Honey’s path took a very different direction than most of the nine million plus cows who produce milk for human consumption in the U.S. Several years ago, Honey and Betsy were both purchased by TV producers for a reality series called, “Utopia”, to be used for their milk on the show. Of course, this meant that both Honey and Betsy were pregnant (with Meredith and Nutmeg) at the time and Meredith was actually born during filming.
When the series ended, they didn’t want to send Honey and her family back to the dairy industry and thankfully, Farm Sanctuary stepped in and offered a home to them all. This tiny bovine family lived at Farm Sanctuary’s Northern California shelter until 2018 when we were able to welcome them home to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. We just celebrated their three year arrival anniversary on the 2nd!
We often laugh because it’s so common to see farm animals who live in sanctuary enjoying sweet interactions with their caregivers like playing, receiving pets and hugs, and even just lying around together. So naturally, we couldn’t wait to get our arms around this sweet family. Of course, while all those images are true, it’s also true that bovines, just like any other living animal, have their own unique personalities, likes and dislikes, and well, personal space bubbles. This family isn’t exactly the hugging kind. And Honey is a big fan of the personal bubble. Oh, they seem to enjoy occasional scritching and scratching, a little brushing, maybe offer a few licks to bare arms, but they don’t really have a lot of use for the humans outside of meal delivery. And of course, that’s just fine. After all, that’s what sanctuary is truly about. Meeting everyone where they are at with respect and love while providing them as much agency over their lives as possible.
Honey and her family are the stars of their own show. If we’re lucky, we get to stand in the periphery and watch, maybe even truly see. While we humans were a little saddened at having our visions of cow hugging dashed, we are no less than delighted by Honey and her family every day. It’s a joy to watch the tremendous courage and adventure they’ve shown in the relatively short time they’ve been with us. And it’s a privilege to be able witness what a tight-knit family they are, to be able to watch Meredith and Nutmeg grow up and spend their lives with their mamas and to see how emotionally bonded they truly are. Just as any other family might be. A gift we don’t often get to see, and certainly one they don’t often get to live. We’re so grateful to you all for making that possible.
And thank you again, Paulette, for making Honey’s special day even more special! We truly appreciate you thinking of her.
Be sure to tune in later to hear how Honey and her family are celebrating her birthday!
Happy Birthday, beautiful Honey!:
Honey and her daughter, Meredith (background):
Meredith “smooching” her mama, Honey, with Betsy (far right):
I bet it’s safe to say Honey and her family never imagined having such strange neighbors, let alone going along on walks with them.
And while most of you may be familiar with our Chimpanzee Pal program, you may not be aware that we also have a Bovine Buddy program! So if you’d like to be, like us, a virtual cow hugger to Honey, or any of her lovely family members, click here to find out more.
Kathleen says
It’s just wonderful to be able to celebrate Honey and her family today! Their story is so unique. I believe all four finally found “Utopia” at CSNW. Thank you for giving them the life they deserve. I am sending virtual hugs and head scratches from a far. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!
Thank you Paulette for being THE very best Birthday Fairy Godmother.
Caroline says
Happy Birthday sweet Honey cow! May all your grases be sweet today and I hope you all enjoy your Birthday treats!
tomaustin says
they are an interesting mix to be friends with the Chimps….just gotta wonder what they think about the whole thing—from both views…!!
Linda Crawford says
Let’s tip our hats (not the cows!) to our favorite birthday godmother. Huzzah, Paulette!
Larue Mortimer says
Happy
Larue Mortimer says
Happy Happy birthday Sweet Honey!! Hope you are having a relaxing day celebrating with Meredith and the rest of your family! And a special Thank You to Paulette for your generosity!
Elaine Reininger says
I never gave much thought to a cow but i think HONEY is really beautiful. That portrait of her is fantastic. I was surprised to hear your group don’t care much for hugs and scratches tho.
Elaine Reininger says
Honey is really beautiful
nancyt says
Happy Birthday Honey Cow. I asked the web if chimpanzees liked honey& quess who’s picture showed up! Honey’s !!
They do love ( bee) honey . Honey is twice loved? & the chimps love to visit them all! Thank you all for your hard work & keeping the Santuary safe.
Paulette says
It’s so cool they go along on the chimp patrols. A family stroll – bovines, chimps, and humans. And canines too at times. Even a “gator” sometimes ha ha.
Paulette says
I was starting to feel guilty for not sponsoring the cows. :unamused:
Like Elaine said, I never really gave a second thought to cows, but these four, through your camera lens, are soooo beautiful! And they’ve captured my affection.
Jan says
The cows are really beautiful aren’t they. Those big soulful eyes. I’m sure your generosity is appreciated by all at CSNW. Thankyou for your kindness.
Paulette says
Yes, they truly are!
Debbie Reintzell says
Happy Birthday Honey
Maureen says
Honey is truly a pretty cow, isn’t she. And the story you told about her and her family brought me, for the first time, to have some interest in them. Happy Birthday to Honey. As always, thank you so much, Paulette. Your love and generosity serve as a wonderful influence.
DIANE M. KASTEL says
Once again, katelyn, I am eommending your flair for writing a blog. Hilarious for you to observe that the bovines “are not the hugging kind”, and, that your hopes were dashed. Most funny was your observation that they don’t really, have a lot of use for the humans, outside of meal delivery”. Nice to be reassured that they are left to be themselves.
Katelyn says
Thank you, Diane, that’s kind of you to say. And thanks for following along with us all, humans, chimps and bovines alike, we truly appreciate it.