Escape Artists

Anyone that's ever had a farm and farm animals has probably had at least one escape artist amongst their animals.

This morning, riding early in the pre-dawn darkness, as light seeped it's way between the trees, I noted one of the dairy cows sleeping in the grass on the side of the road. I always say hi cows as I ride by, as they look at me curiously. This morning, the one on the side of the road lumbered to it's feet as I rode by, but didn't move any further.

Turning around to let the farmer know he had an escape artist, I rode up to his farm where one of the workers was attaching the milking machines to some of his other cows. Pounding on the window and yelling above the din, the worker finally noticed me and said he'd let T know.

As I rode back towards the cow, someone in a Toyota forerunner went zooming past me. I kind of looked at him, thinking, hey, the cow's the other way! Riding back to the cow, I messaged T (he's the farmer that lets me ride through his fields, despite no trespassing signs) to let him know his cow was now right in the middle of the gravel road.

The road is the old road to where the ferry used to land (now defunct), so there's not a lot of traffic on the road, but it's fishing season right now, so lots of trucks with boats drive hell bent along there.

It stood in the middle for a moment before moving to the other side of the road to munch on the grass along the shoulder. Ahem, you had a whole field of lush grass and you wanted out?! T messaged me back that he was on his way. I asked if he wanted me to wait with the cow and he said no, so I continued on my way.

I know the cow didn't push the gate down, as it was still very much in place. I did see, over the edge of the road to the field below, that it looked like part of the fence was down and the cow had climbed over it up the hill to the road.

It brought back memories of Moka and Nick (my horses) and how they were very good at escaping. One moment of inattention while the gate was even slightly open, and poof! They were gone out of it, running down the road, or in the first instance, down the old rail trail that ended at the highway. Thank goodness they stopped and turned around, but Moka, being a retired racehorse, thought it great fun to burn along the stretch like she was back on the track. At dusk, with a dark blanket on, so you couldn't see her.

They both returned, as happy as clams, looking for their dinner. Meanwhile, I was almost sick with worry and what could be horrible consequences. Brats. One other time Moka escaped to go visit a buddy up the street. Sparks were flying off her shoes as she galloped up the road. That was due to someone else that had opened the gate and wasn't aware of how sneaky and quick escape artists are.

I did my good deed for the day, and hopefully T got her off the road before anything untoward happened to her. Escape artists - always good for a bit of excitement. Not exactly the way you want to start the day, though.