Obituary cow Spezi
Spezi the cow no longer made it to the mountain pasture
Spezi has given birth to 16 calves in her life and is now, at almost 20 years,no longer pregnant. The owners asked Gut Aiderbichl’s animal emergency centre if we could take Spezi in, as she was no longer able to accompany the other cows from her barn to the alpine pasture over the summer. Her legs would no longer have been able to take the strain.
Spezi was loaded onto the Gut Aiderbichl animal transporter and began her journey from Tyrol to Henndorf in Salzburg.
Spezi was a great gentle woman
Spezi got used to her new surroundings at Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf after a few days. From the outset, the animal keepers were convinced that the elderly Spezi was a very gentle cow who signalled that she liked people.
The health problem she brought with her was her hind legs and claws, which were visibly bothering her. Her stable door remained open and she liked that too. Then Bernadette, a free-range pig, came and lay down next to Spezi. Lisa, our donkey, and Patrick, a goat, became Spezi’s friends in a flash.
Spezi has been a mum all her life
The gestation period of a cow is between 9 and 10 months. When the first calf is born, the cow gives milk, which is actually used to feed the calf. After about seven weeks, the amount of milk produced reaches its peak and lasts for about two months. Naturally, the cow’s milk production would decrease after a few months. To ensure that cows can always give milk, they are artificially inseminated a few months after birth.
The cow produces milk throughout the entire pregnancy. It can therefore be assumed that Spezi has produced a large amount of milk and is a “profitable cow”. We do not know whether she was separated from her calves immediately after calving and Spezi has remained silent about this.
Gratitude and gentleness to the end
Spezi left her stable and liked to stand among the ponies, donkeys and pigs at the animal buffet. She could lean against the bales of straw and hay and chew her cud.Human hands touched her cautiously and stroked her belly and neck, and Spezi enjoyed it.
The sick hind legs were causing problems and Spezi was lame
Spezi’s condition worsened over the last few days and pain and paralysis in his legs made the decision inevitable. The team of animal carers discussed with the vet whether to put Spezi down.
Today she fell asleep in her hutch: very peacefully and with a soft sigh, Spezi extinguished the light of her life.
Dear Spezi,
Yesterday we were still able to stroke you and sit with you in the straw. Today your stable is empty. WOnce again, people were able to experience how gentle and clever cows are when they are respected. Hab well at the other end of the Rainbow Bridge and enjoy your new time without pain and without pressure to perform. We’ll miss you, mtake care, dear Spezi.
In the eyes of an animal you can see the infinite bond and friendship.
– Unknown
From: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
