What cattle do when they are not eating is hang-out together. When I have a portable project to work on I use the opportunity to give Scout the Ox some "herd" time. It helps makes for a happy ox. Here I'm preparing willow tree cuttings for planting, with Scout looking over my shoulder.
Just as dogs are pack animals, cattle are herd animals. A healthy dog and a healthy cow both like a small circle of family and friends. When we people, by the use of fences, barns and kennels, take that away from them, I think it our due to provide some substitute. Scout's herd mates consist of me and Harry the Dog. As unlikely as two predators keeping company with a prey animal is, by my estimation, he seems quite happy with the arrangement. As a qualifier, I might add that these are two highly domesticated animals, I wouldn't expect this to work with say --- a wolf and a white tailed deer, though, I am aware of dogs being kept with lions. A further qualifier: I don't favor wild animals being kept.
Just as dogs are pack animals, cattle are herd animals. A healthy dog and a healthy cow both like a small circle of family and friends. When we people, by the use of fences, barns and kennels, take that away from them, I think it our due to provide some substitute. Scout's herd mates consist of me and Harry the Dog. As unlikely as two predators keeping company with a prey animal is, by my estimation, he seems quite happy with the arrangement. As a qualifier, I might add that these are two highly domesticated animals, I wouldn't expect this to work with say --- a wolf and a white tailed deer, though, I am aware of dogs being kept with lions. A further qualifier: I don't favor wild animals being kept.
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| Good Friends-Lion and Dog published 1893 by Paul Friedrich Meyerheim, artist and Richard Brend'amour, engraver Source: Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection |
1 comment:
You talk about how we have a responsibility towards our animals on more levels than just feeding and housing them, or even medical care. It's about companionship, their emotional life, etc. I couldn't agree more. Thank you for sharing this, and bless you for hanging out with Scout. *smile*
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