The Bovine Standoff(Martha Hume) On the 13th June, 2021, I was walking with a group along a footpath adjoining a slowly developing ranch in Union Nevada. We were there to overlook a few head of remaining cattle. A strange illness had overtaken this fledgling property. Six of the wild cattle had succumbed to the illness. I was here to purchase the healthier of her herds.

We came to a field with a waterhole next to the gate. I checked the water quality. Why? I do not know. I wasn't there acting as a veterinarian or the doctor's assistant.i wasn't a representative for the department of agriculture.i wasn't working for the Bureau of land management. I was a buyer seeking the lowest economical price.

I Did a check of the field before I entered and saw there were several groups of cows but did not see a bull or calves. They looked like dairy cows. This check was for my protection. I have distrusted cattle since my adolescent years. Cattle looked demonic. This was ridiculous. I had a mild comprehension of how silly my paranoia was. I was a greenhorn attempting to purchase a massive beast that terrified me.

I entered the field with my cattle dog and the other members of the party came in after. I walked as usual with my dog on a tight lead. I’ve done this countless times before without a problem, but these cows were more menacingly inquisitive than I ever imagined or remember.

I crossed the field and came towards an open gate, but some of the herd moved quite quickly to get in front of me. My opponents were forming a standoff.in a standoff between human and beast the beast would win.

Running, escaping were the thoughts flooding my mind.fight seemed foolish and flight seemed impossible. It was about a quarter mile to the next gate or fence – and my route back was blocked by additional herds of determined cattle. I decided that the best course of action was to position myself and my dog behind the open gate with me behind the dog. Alice was a healer, her inbred instinct was to bark loudly and to nip the cattles heels.as this Alice was a herding dog. Surprisingly Alice offered sufficient distraction and protection.

The bull then appeared in front of the gate and was about twenty feet away from me.

I tried to shoo the cattle away, but they would not move.

I called back to my companions and told them to help or get the Hell out of my way. I am coming out one way or another. Alice had dragged me back through the open gate. Alice held a position by my side slightly in front of me. By then I had made it back to the water hole, the gate and my red pickup. I was safe, my companions were safe.

When I questioned my friends why they wouldn't help during the standoff. They laughed " what Bull" your " standoff was with a holstein, a dairy cow.

The End

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