EACH LIFE MATTERS: AUDREY HEIFER

This month we want to share our love for this bovine beauty: Audrey Heifer!

Did you know she has a black/purple tongue? (so does Pal McTrouble)

Audrey is a special Jersey gal in many ways, but one unusual thing that sets her apart is that she is a 'freemartin'. A very high percentage of bovine twins where one is male and one is female results in sterility. Audrey lacks a full ovarian structure and cannot be bred or have a calf. This does not stop her from being motherly though! You will often see Audrey licking Wallace, Bob or Elliot to show affection, comfort and the bonding within her community. Her sterility made her useless in the dairy industry because to make milk, you must be a mother. She was lucky to be released by a farmer and then rescued by Tomten Farm and Sanctuary. At the age of 6 months, we adopted Audrey to Unity, and with her came baby Elliot so that she would have a bovine buddy. One more odd fact about Miss Audrey Heifer? A few years back, Elliot Steer stepped on her tail tip when she was laying down. When she popped up in surprise, her tail tip broke off! Never fear, some bandages and antibiotics and she healed up, and even forgave Elliot Steer. You cannot even see that it is missing!

If you come to Kindness and Compassion Tour here, you know that we love to tell you how lucky she was because she can live to a natural lifespan in her 20's here. Dairy industry females usually live 3-5 years, so I think Audrey likes the chance to be here - we sure love having her playful personality around! Come meet Audrey and her friends if you can come visit us on a tour!

We must share sad news however, that beloved Orion Rooster was laid to rest this month. His wattle infection was tested as being broad spectrum and not responding to the antibiotics we are permitted to use for our birds. His body was beginning to shut down while he was back at MSPCA Angell West, and we knew it was the kindest gift to let him go. Medical science can help a lot, but we cannot always have the success we hope for. Rest easy sweet Orion.