This is the story of a lucky little calf, and how he grew.
Don and Lacey Self of Winnie, Texas, adopted and hand-raised Alfred, the calf, when he was just three days old. His mother had died the day Alfred was born, and for those first three days, he was isolated in a pen at the cattle ranch, fed just three times a day, and was suffering. Don took him home, and he and his wife, Lacey, began bottle-feeding him every two hours. Alfred soon grew strong and large and developed an extraordinary attachment to his human parents. He became part of the Self family, and there was never any question about his status. Alfred would never be harmed or sold for food. The Selfs had Alfred neutered at the appropriate age, ensuring Alfred would remain gentle.
In September 2005 Hurricane Rita destroyed most of the fencing and barn at the Self's farm in addition to causing major damage to their home. Don and Lacey rebuilt the barn first, and then began to mend the fences. Despite their efforts to patch all the fencing, Alfred managed to get out at night. The Selfs started to struggle financially when the costs of fixing the fences to protect Alfred competed with making their own home livable again.
Alfred's luck continues
The Selfs realized they needed help and began inquiring about a home for Alfred. They found many people willing to take him in...but only to have him slaughtered, which was unacceptable, and they refused to take him to a sale barn where his fate would certainly be sealed in like manner. They contacted the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in September 2006. His story was especially endearing. How could we turn away the cow with a fondness of Twinkies and red beans and rice?
Alfred, a now 18-month-old steer, arrived at the ranch in early December with his adoptive parents. As the trailer bearing Alfred pulled up, nothing seemed unusual about the new arrival. That is, until the trailer door was opened, and Don led him out. We immediately understood why the Selfs had tried so hard to place Alfred somewhere where he'd be safe for life.
There stood 1,000 pounds of fuzzy, fun-loving energy embodied in bovine form. A result of being a Charolais/Brangus cross, his coat was a lovely fawn color, and as soft to touch as it was to look at. Gentle as a lamb, Alfred interacted with Don and Lacey as if he was their dog. He enjoyed their scratching and petting and would follow them anywhere. In fact, Alfred had never even been around other cows and had only lived with species other than his own.
After a week or so of being weaned from constant human companionship, Alfred was introduced to other bovines. The first week was hard for Alfred as his missed Don and Lacey and bellowed for them. He is now living with his own species full time and is forming acquaintances with other bovines. We expect Alfred to have a long, happy life at the ranch and thank the Selfs for saving his life and their commitment to finding a safe haven for him.
Related Links
- Read about Juana, the domestic pig, who also was raised by a family and given to the sanctuary after the devastation caused by Hurricane Rita.
