The All-Time Favorite Animal

Being a veterinarian, I have owned and treated many dogs and cats. However, this is without a doubt the all-time favorite animal. When I did farm work back in the mid 70’s I use to drive by a farm that used another vet. I couldn’t help but notice that there was a 3-legged cow running around the field. I could not imagine why someone would have a 3-legged cow. That farmer called me one day when his regular vet was away, to see if I could look at one of his cows. I said sure and I would be there in an hour. After I got done treating the cow and he was paying me, I said to him, I have to ask you one question. He, of course, already knew the question, why do I have a 3-legged cow. He said ” Let me tell you something about that cow. When I was out in field one day, I hit something unexpected, and the tractor rolled on top of me. That cow came over and pushed the tractor off of me and probably saved my life. Then about a month later, in the middle of the night, we had an electrical fire. The cow came on the front porch, knocked the door down, stuck its head inside and let out the loudest moo you ever heard, waking up the entire family, saving everybody’s lives”. He then turned to walk away. I called out to him, I don’t understand, why does it have only 3 legs. Without breaking stride or looking back the farmer said ” When you find a cow that good you don’t eat it all at once”. Now, that is a favorite animal. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.