Vale Ophelia!

BY Ayesha Joy Clifford ©

IT'S a sad day on our farm today as our Jersey house cow Ophelia died overnight.

Despite a final jump up and trot around in which we thought she was on the mend, it seems there were heart issues we didn't know about.

Now I have heart issues of my own that I certainly do know about.

Some animals make their way into your life and your heart.

Often for me it's not the big and the beautiful that stand out. I have a soft spot for the quirky and the funny.

For a little ex-dairy cow adopted as a housewarming and Valentine's Day present seven years ago, our fair Ophelia led an eventful life.

She and her best friend Abbie did look a little out of place on our 24,000 acre Brigalow property dotted with giant Charbray-cross cattle, but what she lacked in stature, she more  than made up in fighting and kicking spirit, claiming the 350-acre house yard and everything in it - including us - as her own.

Packing off our cattle for the interstate move, the B-Double drivers were instructed to look after the MICs - Most Important Cows - on board.

She did perform a spectacular high jump and ungainly float and swim at the Gracemere Saleyards tick dip before claiming our new property as her domain,  often whimsically kicking up her spindly little Jersey legs and jumping and running for no reason apparent to us except perhaps play or joy.

Many shared moments of Jersey hilarity and gaiety later, we are grateful for having shared the journey with her and for her fostering and ministering to many calves and cows who passed through our house/hospital paddock that she quickly took under her care.

She had left us with so many happy memories, heavy hearts today and a little orphan heifer as feisty and spirited as her.

Hope cow heaven is full of pumpkins and grain treats girl.

Vale Ophelia!