Wondering if I should run myself down to the ER to have my head checked out. I think maybe I should get some stitches. Bambi kicked me in the face, cut above my eye and it was bleeding a real bitch. Sprayed hydrogen peroxide on it, stuck a plaster on and then went back to finish milking her.
OK, so how did that happen ? Got the milk parlour ready and then went to fetch her. Had a grain bucket, the bell, attracted all the other cows, not Bambi. Moved all the others into the side pasture, chased her into the front pasture, Mabel was between the 2, wouldn't follow mum in, and I wasn't taking a chance of mum running back out to be with her, so Bambi and the 3 alpacas were in the front enclosure. Opened the gate, tried to move her towards it, no ways. Eventually drove the buggy in, and chased her around and around. She had a piece if fencing wire trailing her back right leg. Eventually got her out, did a bit of a run around on the back lawn before deciding she'd go into the lower barn enclosure. I went down the ladder in the lower barn, she was in the doorway, but wouldn't come in. So we then ran up and down the lower barn enclosure a couple of times, me losing my shoe in the muck and standing in it in my sock. Didn't want to put the mucky sock into the boot, so pulled it off and wore the boot sockless. Eventually got her in, and although she wasn't the happiest, she went into the stall, but each time I tried to attach her to the wall, she backed out. So I started cleaning her teats, she stood still for that but wouldn't eat. I'd go towards her head, she'd back out of the stall. So I picked up the drain plunger and threatened her with it, she returned to the stall, but not all the way up. Eventually got her tied up, but she still wouldn't eat. Finished cleaning her, dipped her and stripped each teat, attached the milking machine. She stood still, but not eating - they tend to do that in times of stress, but she didn't poop, think it all ran out while I was chasing her out in the pasture.
I then bent down to try and untwist the wire wrapped around her ankle. She kicked, I ducked but I wasn't quick enough. Knocked my glasses off my face, kicked over the wash bucket and when I fumbled trying to put them back on my face my hand came away all bloody. Left her there, went through the tunnel up into the house to see the damage. Blood dripping down my face, throat, on my clothes, and later I found dripped all the way through the basement. Mopped it up, nice gash, closed my eye with a tissue and sprayed it, found a suitable sized plaster, and then returned to her. She was still attached to the milking machine, but hadn't eaten anything yet. Went up into the shed to find the tin snips as she wouldn't let me touch the wire, it wasn't tight around her ankle, but it was twisted so I couldn't just pull it off. Couldn't find them, got my fencing pliers from the buggy and returned to try get it off her. No damage or cuts from the wire, she just didn't like it. Managed to snip one trailing part off, holding the squeegee handle across her back legs to keep her from kicking me again. Working from the side, around the milking machine, got the other piece snipped off after numerous failed attempts. Now she just had an ankle wire ! As there weren't the trailing parts anymore, it seemed to bother her less, and I managed to snip it and pull it off her leg. But not before she knocked over the washing water bucket, the soap bucket and me again. I attached a lead rope to her before undoing her from the wall, but she's too strong for me. Should have run the lead rope behind her back leg and pulled it tight until her head was down by her leg like the vets do to control them. She needs to learn that I'm the boss of her, that I'm bigger and stronger. Today I wasn't.
So now she's bellowing in the lower barn enclosure, I closed the bottom door as she broke one of my glass doors down there for the greenhouse and I'm not wanting her to get cut, and, more importantly, I don't want to shovel her poop out any more. Went back to the pasture to let all the others out of the side pasture so that they have access to water, opened the front pasture to all. Mabel is spending the night with the other cows, her mum in isolation. I think if it's possible to hate a cow, I hate Bambi. I try and keep calm as I think that my emotions impact her, but she is just plain difficult. Mabel is nearly 2 months old, she'll do fine on grass now. If one of the others gives birth shortly and I can get them into the routine of milking, then I think it's goodbye to Bambi. If she continues to be this difficult, then maybe it'll be goodbye before I get another one to milk. Seems that either Pearl or Daisy May will be the next to calve, both very young and couldn't get to milk Pearl after the still-birth of her first calf, so I don't want to fight with her either. Daisy May is also very skittish, Buttercups' first calf. How annoying. Another 7 months before Dolly has her calf. I look at her lovely witches teats and long for a nice, amenable cow.
Went down to the ER. Didn't do stitches, did glue. What fun. Also got a tetanus shot as my last one was 10 years ago before I came to America. The nurse did a great injection, hardly felt it at all, but it will probably be sore tomorrow, tetanus shots always are. Texted DH while I was there as the nurse told me I'd probably get a black eye. Don't think I've ever had a black eye. Funny the routine questions they ask. Are you safe at home ? Yes. After I'd thought about it a bit, realised they were probably asking if I was an abused wife. Wanted to know my pain level, none, did I pass out, no, did I fall, well yes she kicked me down flat, but I was already on my haunches so it wasn't that far. I'm surprised that my glasses are still intact. Oh well, think I may have a glass of red. It doesn't really hurt, just feels weird. The glue burnt when applied, but it's OK now. Stopped off at Meijer to get a few things, like chocolate :) and people were looking at me a little funny. I only got to see it when I arrived back home. Damn, forgot to buy the mushrooms for the Salisbury Steak. Maybe I can cheat with what I have here already, there are some dried, have soup, canned and dry, mushroom seasoning, maybe it'd be good. DH has never had it home-made from scratch before, and I don't think I've ever heard of it, so hope it comes out all right. The steak is nicely defrosted. Found a recipe that uses actual steak and not hamburger. The first 4 recipes I looked at called for hamburger !
On arriving home I'd calmed down a little so decided I'd take Bambi back to the pasture, only to find her out on the back lawn already. Readily followed me to the gate and went to re-join the others and her calf. Checked where she'd climbed out, think it was through the bottom gate which wasn't latched. Hope it wasn't over or under the electric fence. Will check for sure tomorrow when it's light.
Wish my DH was home, I need a hug.