The dwarf Lola and her tall friend Maya
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
The following animal story could begin with “Once upon a time, there was a small cow named Lola”. It all sounds a bit like a fairy tale, but it’s a real story that was about to end well.
Lola’s story begins in 2015, when a young girl was completing a voluntary social year at an animal park. One day, a dairy farmer asked her to take in a cow with a small stature after his farm was unable to keep a calf with a handicap. With some charming negotiations, the young woman persuaded the zoo management to take in the little calf.
Lola and her human friend were inseparable
Lola was bottle-fed and Lola and her carer went for walks together several times a week. Putting on the halter was no problem, Lola had complete confidence and looked forward to the long walk afterwards. The calf was also able to run free, as she knew the young woman’s voice very well and followed her almost at every turn.
The decision was made to look for a friend for Lola. She herself was too small to live among the big cows. So calf Maya came to be her mate. The two grew up together and lived comfortably in her stable. From then on, they went for walks together.
The social year was over, but the love for the cows remains to this day
The young woman regularly visited the cow with the genetic defect and her friend Maya. Thetwo cow friendslived in the meantimewith Lamas, sheep and goats.
Restructuring at the zoo meant that Lola and Maya had to “go”, andthey were to be taken to the abattoir. Time was of the essence and action had to be taken quickly.
Love can move mountains: Lola and Maya found their forever home at Gut Aiderbichl Eslarn
When we help animals, we usually help people too: in this case, we helped the desperate young woman who couldn’t understand why her friends were being sent to the slaughterhouse. Her efforts were worthwhile. Dieter Ehrengruber agreed to take in the two cows and off they went to Eslarn, where the dwarf Lola and her friend Maya were warmly welcomed and accepted by the entire herd of cattle.
For years, Gut Aiderbichl has had experience with cattle born with a handicap. I am thinking of Lillyput, Pamplono, who had no coat growth, and his dwarf friend, Fipsi. They were all special animals and enjoyed life until they eventually crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
They all taught us humans that it is not a mistake to have a handicap, but that a genetic defect has various causes and that the joy of life does not have to be limited.
Every life on earth is valuable – be it “perfect” or with a handicap. All of us who live in the Earth system can only exist if we recognise the value of our environment. Among other things, it is not about perfectionism in nature and everything that goes with it, but in many respects about compassion and respect. I look forward to a guided tour with you – sincerely, your Gisela
