Short Girls Fitting In Just Nicely!

(L to R) Helena – Anna – Beatrice. Photo taken November 2, 2014.

It’s been 2 weeks since Beatrice and Helena arrived here.  And I must say – they seem to have taken to sharing the paddock with Miss Anna quite well!  There have been times when we’ve looked out and found them all huddled together – enjoying the last bits of sunshine days we’ll get to experience between now and next spring.  Their winter coats have already kicked in!

Miss Anna – She cracks me up! That rise on her butt is nowhere fit for show quality. But it sure fits with her sweet, loving, funny personality! Photo taken November 2, 2014.

I can almost feel that ‘mother’s instinct’ beginning to sap out from Anna.  She has another 3 months to go before the Due Date for her very first Calf.  I had a feeling sharing with these two new girls would be a much better experience for her – rather than being alone – or – being with the other Girls and Artist.  She was already beginning to take quite a bit of bullying from April.  And I’m so glad we have been able to do this for her at this time in her life.  I’m hoping this will encourage a calm experience with her disposition right after calving.

Miss Beatrice! Photo taken November 2, 2014.

Beatrice turns 1 year old – already – on the 22^nd of this month!  She’s been the least trusting at this point – needing some extra attention and a bit more patience.  But getting her to catch me tossing the Apple ‘n Oat cookies into the feed bunker has won her over!  Just as we hoped – getting that first good taste hooked her!  Now she’s up in front of us – just like all the others – with that nose sniffing our hands and pockets.

Everything has become so much calmer – smooth – sociable.  Even the routine walks around the paddock in the morning for further training in getting used to being with us.  Beatrice no longer darts to the barn alley door when we come near.  In fact – both girls now come to hover at the tack room door.  They’ve figured out where those cookies are!  And they take no issue to standing anywhere in the barn alley when it’s time for April to be led back outside for morning Hay.

Miss Helena! The only way we can tell the difference in photos is by their ears! LOL Photo taken November 2, 2014.

Helena has just been so curious from the day they arrived!  She is such a Sweetheart – very loving!  Reminds us of Anna when she first arrived.  Loves her walks with us.  And she even enjoys being brushed!  She seems to pay very close attention to what you’re doing – as if she’s always wanting to learn what her part is in the show.  We only had to mention and coax her into a stall once.  From there – she has just put the puzzle together and it’s part of her routine – as if she’s done it for years!

It’s always so difficult to exhibit differentials in size with these cattle through photos.  So deceiving!  The first photo in this post is a serious optical illusion!  Here.  Let me show you an example.  I got a bit lucky!  Take a gander that the next photo.

Anna and Beatrice! Photo taken November 2, 2014.

Anna and Beatrice!  Anna turns 2 years old on February 26th.  And she’s 3 months out from calving her first calf.  The fact that Beatrice turns 1 year old in only 19 days contributes to helping with recognizing the Chondrodysplasia genetics she possesses.  Beatrice will never see the height Anna possesses.  But she has a conformation that is very evenly matched throughout her entire frame.  And she is showing signs of being a bit of a Beefy Girl – just like Anna!

I know it sounds like we’re dealing with Horses here.  But Dwayne and I have really had to put up with a tight regimen in using what we have on hand.  There’s a lot of sharing space and taking turns here – for our cattle.  And neither of us has any complaints about how well they’ve all adjusted and rolled with the flow!  Well… other than Dwayne having this concentrated opinion that I have spoiled April so badly that she’s just ruined for life.  But that’s my first baby.  I won’t apologize.  And that’s another story!  😉

Sweet Teddy Bear Anna! Photo taken November 2, 2014.

But this face belongs to Miss Anna – who has been our littlest baby – until our 2 new girls arrived.  And I couldn’t fight the tears when my eyes caught the first sight of all three together in the same paddock.  Somehow – in just a blink – Miss Anna just became such a Big Girl.  Our Little Anna now gives us the thought of  Fat Albert playing Center in a football game!  But neither of us has had a foot stepped on – yet!