We’re sorry to share that Nutmeg has passed away. This is the worst kind of news to share. I always worry about the impact of unexpected news on you all because I know how much you care about the animals here. And while we’ve had longer to absorb the reality of the situation, it’s coming at you all at once.
I know you’ll have a lot of questions, and I’m afraid that we just don’t have definitive answers in the case of Nutmeg. We did all we could for him and made the very tough decision to no longer prolong his discomfort, despite being left unsure about why his body failed him.
Dr. Erin, who has lost more than one night of sleep over the last few days, wrote the below about Nutmeg and her job in caring for him and his family.
Erin touched on this point, but I will add that it’s unusual to see adult male dairy cattle because the males are not economically useful to the industry. Dairy cattle have been bred with maximum milk production as the goal, and this genetic selection has resulted in males growing quickly and becoming very large. Nutmeg was so big that we had trouble finding a hoof trimmer with equipment that could accommodate his frame. While he was overall healthy in his time with us, we knew that his lifespan would likely not be incredibly long because of his size.
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From Erin:
I learned in veterinary school that I didn’t want to work with “farm” animals. I knew I wasn’t cut out to have a production value attached to my patients. Naive? Perhaps. But here I am, almost 35 years later, and the concept of inherent worth is still one I apply to all my patients, all animals, for that matter, no matter what species. My practice has focused on “companion” animals, dogs, cats and horses, and now, of course, chimpanzees. In 2018 when the sanctuary welcomed 4 beautiful Jersey cattle to the sanctuary, I thought, “ok Zamzow, here’s another species you aren’t familiar with to learn about!”
Heck, I learned about pigs by rescuing four of them so why not cattle too! Well, that knowledge from my “food” animal (now called “agricultural” animal) classes and rotations was buried alongside a few other traumatic experiences in my life. Yet, as once learned factoids tend to do, it bubbled up here and there and continues to be bolstered by online lectures, helpful, supportive, colleagues and, the best instruction of all, lived experience. I’m no expert by a long shot and I’d be lost without my cattle vet peeps (including the amazing and recently retired Dr. Mike Fuller here in Ellensburg) and colleagues from various veterinary school teaching hospitals.
I have come to cherish my time with our little herd. Getting to know them, their personalities, likes and dislikes and monitoring the health and well-being of these beautiful bovines is a pleasure and I often get ‘delayed’ in the barn or pasture because I enjoy being with them so much. These cattle get to exist free from the obligation to provide anything for humans-except of course, their natural grazing abilities that help to keep the property clear of excess fire fuel.
When the herd came to the sanctuary in early November of 2018, Nutmeg was not even 4 years old and already twice as big as his mother Betsy. In most dairy operations, a calf is separated from their mother anywhere from a few hours to a few days from birth, a traumatic event for both mother and baby. Fortunately some dairies leave cow and calf together for longer periods but they are still weaned earlier than if the decision were left up to mama and baby. In Nutmeg and Betsy’s case, the nursing went on, even if occasionally, for over 4 years. We rarely saw Nutmeg nurse after the herd came to CSNW but every so often someone would report seeing him sneak a sip from mom. Eventually, things ran their course and the milk bar closed for good.
This week has been a particularly tough one for all of us that love these cattle. Monday morning, Nutmeg was laying on his side in front of the barn and couldn’t get up. Cattle can and do lay on their sides once in a while but normally sleep in a ‘sternal’ position with their head curled around toward their back legs. Because of their size and the weight, like most megafauna, it’s not safe to lay on their sides for very long. Nerve and muscle damage can occur on their down side and the force of gravity causes blood to pool in the down side lungs. There is also the risk for ‘bloat’, a build up of gas in the rumen that can be life threatening. A normal adult bovine rumen holds about 40 gallons of fluid/ingesta, a lot of weight in that abdomen that puts pressure on other internal organs if they are in the same position for too long.
A “downer cow” is situation usually seen in cows after they have given birth and can be due to mineral imbalances or nerve damage sustained in delivery. In cattle on pasture, it can occur due to injury or a sudden shift in diet from hay to pasture that creates a drop in magnesium. It can be a hard condition to diagnose and sometimes, they just get down in the wrong position on an incline and can’t get their feet back under them.
We immediately got to work to turn Nutmeg onto his other side and then get him in a sternal position – no easy feat when dealing with a 2000 lb animal, but JB and Diana are amazingly creative when it comes to figuring out what one of our residents needs. We checked electrolyte and mineral levels, administered IV and oral electrolytes, dextrose and anti-inflammatory medications and monitored his vital signs closely. When a large animal is down, it’s important that they be watched continually in case they hurt themselves trying to get up. Nutmeg was propped up and watched around the clock with staff and volunteer Anthony taking shifts throughout the day and night. He was blanketed, brushed and doted on. JB was able to fashion a sling with some firehose so he could be lifted for short periods to take the weight off his legs. I did acupuncture and laser treatments on him as well which he initially seemed to respond to.
Nutmeg ate and drank water, chewed his cud and made valiant efforts to rise but by Wednesday afternoon, it was clear that he was exhausted and had sustained too much damage to his hind legs to recover. His appetite waned and the look in his eye changed. He spent his last night on a massive bed of straw in the barn, with his mama and Honey by his side and Meredith in her recovery pen just a few feet away. Staff visited and said their goodbyes and yesterday afternoon he was peacefully freed from his body and laid to rest surrounded by love.
Our hearts are broken and we will miss our beautiful, gentle giant so much. I am deeply thankful that he and his herd were sent to sanctuary instead of back to the dairy industry and that he was able to spend the last 5 1/2 years of his life grazing the pastures of this beautiful sanctuary with his family.
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We don’t talk about this much, but J.B. and I became vegan after first meeting chimpanzees and contemplating that line that humanity has historically drawn between “us” and “animals” and learning about industrial agriculture. We’re not perfect or pure vegans by any means, so perhaps the term plant-based is more appropriate, but we came to the decision from an animal welfare perspective, as did Dr. Erin many years ago. I think there are different ways of looking at personal food choices, and we certainly don’t expect everyone to come to the same decisions, but everyone should know what’s involved in producing the food they eat.
Our nearest neighbor manages a beef cattle ranch that harkens back to an older way of farming, where the cattle graze freely and contentedly. The calves stay with their moms and herds for some time before being separated, but, ultimately it’s still a for-profit business and they are separated and sold. This neighbor was more than happy to help us with Nutmeg when we first discovered our tractor was not strong enough to fully lift him off the ground. He brought his tractor over and helped us lift Nutmeg in the hopes that we could help him stand again. We are extremely grateful for Austin’s help, generosity, and undertanding.
It seems fitting to end this post with one of the last photos that Katelyn took of Nutmeg with his mom:
He will forever be her baby.
Oh, dear, I’m so saddened to learn of Nutmeg’s passing!! I’ve always loved the relationship the 4 “bovines” have had with each other and the staff, and the precious pics of Nutmeg and his mom being so loving with each other. Thank you for sharing this sad story with us and the hard work, dedication and love that went into helping him move on. These losses are truly mind-stopping and heart-wrenching but at least we grieve with our community of CSNW staff and devotees. Thank you, Diana, for the detail in words and pics that you shared with us as you moved through this loving and touching process.
That’s sad news, Diana.
Immediately, my mind said “Well, he’s so big.”(maybe it’s the country kid in me).
Thanks to Dr Erin, Austin, Anthony, and all who helped keep him comfortable in his last hours.
I started to think, “Is there a cow heaven?” and realized that these years at CSNW have probably been the closest thing to it.
RIP to Betsy’s Big Boy.
Im sure therexare cows in Heaven!
This is heartbreaking news, im am so sorry for Betsy and her bovine, and human family. You all must be devastated. My love to you all, especially Betsy ?
This is heartbreaking news, im am so sorry for Betsy and her bovine, and human family. You all must be devastated. My love to you all, especially Betsy ?
Rip sweetheart. I feel really bad for Betsy. My condolences for every one. :pray:
I’m absolutely heartbroken to hear Nutmeg has passed. I can’t imagine how his mother and the rest of his herd are feeling right now.
Thank you to everyone who came together at the end to help Nutmeg and keep him comfortable. I know he left this world surrounded by love.
Oh my heart, especiall that last photo.
Sleep well, beautiful boy. I will light a candle for you tonight.
Thank you for sharing his story wiht us and thank you for making more ethical food choices.
im so sorry
I think Marya really said it all perfectly. I am so heartbroken for all of you at the sanctuary for this loss, most especially for his mama and his other herd mates. At least he was able to spend the past 5-1/2 years of his life with all of his wonderful family and enjoying a life he would never have known anywhere else. Rest in peace, Nutmeg.
That last picture of Betsy loving her son is heartrending–I shed a few tears. This episode must have been unusually cruel on all the caregivers involved. Thanks for the detailed timeline of the unfolding of events. I praise Diana and J.B. for having had the foresight to offer these lucky bovines a wonderful home. They did good.
Devastating news. It’s hard to think of how the girls will cope with the loss of their beautiful big baby boy. Thank you all so much for all you did for him, and for the lovely photos to remember him by.
I am so sorry to hear about this boy. He has had a very good life and was obviously much loved. My sympathies to all of you and Dr. Erin. Thank you for giving him a life full of love and the best care possible!
What a shocking piece of news to open to. But Diana, you wrote it so beautifully and so lovingly, and gave a perspective to show how wonderful Nutmeg’s last years were. So glad he got to have time with his mama beyond what he’d have been allowed in other circumstances. I hadn’t recognized earlier just how big he was. Big enough to hold all the love and compassion that came his way. Thank you to Diana and Anthony and the vets. CSNW may be the best place on Earth.
I am so very sorry to hear this sad news of Nutmeg and I really can’t add anything that the others have so eloquently already said except to just repeat..if there is a cow heaven, Nutmeg was already there…at the Sanctuary. His last few years there were perfect even up to the end. He was given the last show of love and compassion right where he has spent the best years of his life.
Thank-you again and again for all you do for these beautiful creatures in your care.
i am so sorry to learn about the loss of Nutmeg. Please take comfort in knowing that everyone put forth such valuent efforts to save him, but sometimes death has a strong, cruel hold on those we love. Thank you, Diana for giving us all such a detailed account of his last days. That must have been difficult to compose.
I’m so sorry for the loss of Nutmeg.
Thank you for sharing the story of Nutmeg with us. He deserved and got love, kindness, excellent care, and several years of freedom to roam. Usually, you get to share the joys of your work with us through these blog posts, but there are also these deeply sad and difficult days and nights.
I can’t. I just…:sob::sob::sob::sob::sob::broken_heart::broken_heart::broken_heart::broken_heart::broken_heart:
I am so sorry. Nutmeg was beautiful, and the fact that he could live as so many steers are not added to his uniqueness. My deepest condolences to his mother, Honey and Meredith, and all who live and work at the CSNW.
My condolences to everyone who spent the too-quick years rescuing and caring for this little cattle herd only to lose the beautiful jumbo baby boy, Nutmeg. The world has fashioned farm animals for maximum utility, which does not leave much room for them to be seen and known and loved as the sentient beings they each are. Even though Nutmeg suffered this unfortunate farm animal outcome, he was spared all the other possible farm animal outcomes, and he had the great gift to be known and loved and to know and love his CSNW herd, cattle and human and all the rest of the wild and captive beings at the sanctuary included. I’ll sure miss you, big boy. 🙁
My heart goes out to you all in the loss of this sweet boy, Nutmeg. Thank you for loving and caring for
him and now keeping his little herd family comforted. I am not a country girl, but the bovines captured my heart right along with the rest of the CSNW family. Sending love to all!
I still remember the day Nutmeg was born. We were all so excited he arrived healthy and full of energy & life. I’m grateful CSNW took this little herd when their FS home was closed. I knew they would be so happy (especially without those boiling Orland summers!) – and they were. I’ve been through this same scenario with other cattle, and it’s heartbreaking when they get to a point where they cannot recover. The best thing we can do is let them go peacefully, surrounded by loved ones (bovine, human, and in this case, chimps too). Thank you for giving Nutmeg and his family the absolute best care, and my heart goes out to one and all at the Sanctuary. Sending my love and deepest condolences. :purple_heart:
I am so very saddened by the loss of “gentle giant” Nutmeg who will always be Betsy’s baby boy. Thankyou all for the beautiful photos and a day by day update of the past week. One very small consolation is that Nutmeg left this world surrounded by his family. My thoughts are with you all and I would like to make a donation in honour of sweet Nutmeg’s memory.It is the least I can do.
Thank you for giving Nutmeg a safe place to live out his days. I’m so sorry for your loss. He was so handsome!
Very sad news to hear. I am so sorry. My heart breaks for Betsy, and his bovine family. I always feel the saddest for the survivors, and tears flowed thinking about him and his Mama though this read. That last photo and line was beautiful, yet a gut-wrencher. Thank you to everyone who loved and cared for Nutmeg, I know how awful this is for all of you. RIP Nutmeg, Bless Your Soul.
I echo the words of love and support that everyone else has posted. Nutmeg, you made an indelible mark on our hearts that will be with us all for eternity. CSNW is the most incredible place, in the good times and the hard times. Thank you all.
I don’t know what to say. As big as Nutmeg is, somehow he looks small in the photos where he is ill. Especially the first one where he is lying next to the orange tractor. You can see Nutmeg has lost his spark. What an enormous loss. Nutmeg was such a unique character. His personality shinning through the photos.
I am so very sorry for all you. I am deeply sorry for Mom Betsy. And Auntie Meredith and Honey. Thank you all for giving Nutmeg a peaceful life with his beloved family, exemplary care, and comfort, compassion, and love in his final days.
I will certainly miss seeing Nutmeg on the blog. Even as sad as I feel, just thinking of his big gorgeous head and his pompadour makes me smile. Before you all fall asleep tonight, push your sorrow to the side for a minute and think of a favorite moment you shared with Nutmeg. Savor it. Hold it close. You are so fortunate to have him as your friend.
I revisited this post this morning. I wanted to thank Dr. Erin for her thoughts and explanation. I am very grateful the residents have you caring for and managing their healthcare. I send you warm embrace from afar.
I would also like to thank Anthony for being there to see Nutmeg through the night. Nutmeg must have found comfort being with you, seeing that his old friend is still there for him. Your presence speaks volumes about not just your big heart, Anthony, but this particular sanctuary. In my involvement with animal welfare organizations, oftentimes staff members who have advanced on to new career paths say they will return to volunteer. In reality even with the best of intentions it’s hard to do. Anthony showing up in a dire time of need, out of love for his suffering bovine friend and in support for friends working at the sanctuary, proves what a special organization CSNW truly is. As caregivers, your jobs become deeply personal. One can not separate the career from the personal experiences and bonds formed between the individuals in your care. On an emotional level it is a 24/7 job. Loving those in your care cannot be turned on and off. Throughout the years, every caregiver at CSNW somehow makes this fact appear natural and easy. You are incredible!
Please know how deeply sorry I am for all of you who called big beautiful Nutmeg your friend.
Heartbreaking news, Betsy’s baby boy will always be special to all of us. Thank you for providing him with a good way of life and excellent care. Goodbye sweet Nutmeg.
This is so heartbreaking, we are so sorry to hear about Nutmeg’s passing. He was so beautiful. What love and compassion he was given throughout all his time at CSNW. He lived a life with family, friends and freedom there. Thank you all for what you gave him. Thank you for the information in this blog and for the touching pictures. You all did so much to try to help him. We are so sorry for Betsy, Meredith and Honey and for everyone there, and all who love him.
I am truly sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, Nutmeg. And thank you for your precious efforts, sanctuary staff, doctor Erin, neighbour Austin and others.
More heartbreaking news. Nutmeg was so beautiful and I thank everyone there for the loving care he received. My heart goes out to all of you with this loss and especially to his mama Betsy…nothing worse than losing your child.
The news about Nutmeg is so sad. He was a beautiful, gentle soul. Though it’s too late for Nutmeg, Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART) has the technical expertise and equipment to assist large animals as large as Nutmeg, and larger, in trouble and have done so many times. WASART is an all-volunteer nonprofit. We never charge for our services. Our commitment is the same as CSN’s — to help animals in need. You can learn more about WASART at http://wasart.org. Our 24/7 emergency number is 425-681-5498.
Thanks Bill, we consulted with our colleagues that work in large animal technical rescue throughout Nutmeg’s case but WASART is a great resource that we would recommend to everyone.
Thanks, J. B. Your team got Nutmeg upright and sternal, so about all that could have been done for him. So sorry for the outcome. (We maintain CSN as a resource in our list of emergency resources for situations we’re not trained for, by the way.)
i am so saddened to hear this news. How terribly heartbreaking for all the humans who loved him and his herd. Sending love and peace to all of you.
Rest in peace sweet baby boy Nutmeg, you were so loved.
I think that last picture of mom and baby says it all.
Thank you for taking care of this little herd. I remember the video’s of when they first arrived, they were so happy to be at this amazing sanctuary, i’ve never seen cows jump for joy before.
That’s the image i’ll try to keep front of mind. He really did have a wonderful life.:revolving_hearts:
While I write this, tears are streaming down my cheeks…
Dear and sweet Big Boy Nutmeg.
It gave me a big shock to read the blog today, and I know it is so hard to say goodbye to an animal you love.
But is also takes brave hearts to make the decision to end the suffering and let them go.
Thank you all for caring for the inhabitants of this so loving and wonderful sanctuary.
I send you my love.
I’m heartbroken……so many thoughts but not enough words to express my feelings. I so loved reading about the herd and seeing their pictures. My prayers are with his mom and ‘aunties’ and all of the humans who loved and cared for sweet Nutmeg. RIP big guy in that lush pasture in heaven.
I found this old posting from the Farm Sanctuary website on the birth of Nutmeg with great photos of his first days. If inappropiate to post here, administrators will remove it. But it is a very poignant post of Nutmeg and Betsy.
https://www.animalsoffarmsanctuary.com/post/153881034011/nutmeg-the-spice-of-farm-sanctuary-life-february
Thank you Mark, That was beautiful. Heartbreakingly bittersweet. Shedding tears again for Betsy, Merideth and Honey. Their loss must be heavy.
Oh my. That was so sweet. Thank you, Mark, for calling this to our attention. I can feel the love between those two through the Farm Sanctuary photos.
Lovely post and wonderful pictures – thank you, Mark.
Just heartbroken for all of you. Especially his dear Momma and herd. I can’t imagine how little Betsy is feeling. Thank you all for the great care you give all of the creatures at the sanctuary.
Thank you to everyone for your kind words of support and shared grieving for handsome Nutmeg. We are very lucky to have such an understanding and caring community surrounding the sanctuary with so much love in the good times and in the challenging times.
what a wonderful story about Nutmeg. He certainly was beautiful. I too stopped eating beef and pork (and other animals). I moved to an area in Florida that were cow pastures. i have watched new neighborhoods pop up as the cows dissapeared. i watch all these cows , as they still surround my community. i thiught i should be a better person, so I no longer eat beef.
There are so many living creatures that are not so loved, who perish alone or in suffering. Nutmeg died in comfort, in the presence of many who loved him and cared about and for him–and provided access to his mother and supported their bond. I celebrate with all his life at the Sanctuary and the cadre of volunteers who support the staff who oversee the critters, the organization and operation. I feel sad but also take comfort by all that is done from the distance of the central great plains.
I grew up in a county where feedlots were many and in a town with a rendering plant. As a kid I did not then understand what this was all aboout. It was said the odors were “…the smell of money.” Yep, everything can be reduced to a monitized commodity/a “thing” to service an economy based on consumption. I thought everyplace was like that place. Well, wait. I became a vegetarian when I learned of factory farm operations–scaled-up industrialized versions of feedlots. So Nutmeg’s story, with romantic elements, is no less impactful and meaningful when seemingly most everything is marketed as disposable. Again, Nurmeg’s death was in comfort, surrounded by love. All living creatures should be so fourtunate. Thanks for the in-depth story. We humans should not flee from the panaramic view of life. Death is part of life. I empty my cortex and heart here, unplanned. .So I add a thank you for the comment box. Grief I carry was mobilized, reminding me it demonstrates I live with a respect for all living creatures and act to aleviate suffering and promote comfort and joy–which includes my support for the Chimp Sanctuary NW.
Kathryn, thank you, deeply, for your comment and your story. It added more meaning to Nutmeg’s life to learn of your own journey.