From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
Kathi the mini cow - there's nothing that doesn't exist
A few months ago, we received an email from a family asking us to take in Kathi, a miniature calf. Kathi was born so tiny and was so delicately built that we had to doubt her chances of survival. But once again, the will to survive won out. That’s the way it is with animals – there’s no giving up. Heat lamps, blankets, cuddling with the farmers, two hours of bottle feeding – all this helped the calf, which was no bigger than a medium-sized dog.
And the effort was worth it. When she was admitted to Deggendorf, she was just under a year old and the size of a 4-6 month old calf. But the most important thing was that she survived and fought.
Kathi and Bully
Benedikt Gruber, caretaker in Deggendorf, smiles when he talks about his Kathi. “She probably won’t grow much more. However, Kathi has enormous self-confidence, just like a normally grown cow. She’s always up to some kind of mischief and is dirty from top to bottom every day. Kathi, no matter whether she is eating or playing – she is simply always dirty. We love our dirty little Kathi!”.
And the best thing is that Kathi has found a friend in Deggendorf who is also small in stature: our Bully. The two are one heart and one soul and ready for a life together at Gut Aiderbichl Deggendorf. They are already looking forward to being visited again after the lockdown.
Nature creates creatures that are different
Many visitors keep asking about Liliput, the dwarf bull with the artificial anus, about Pamplono, the calf that was born without fur and actually looked like a deer. His best friend Fipsi, who was dwarfed and followed Pamplono wherever he went. All three left deep marks on my heart and were living proof that on Gut Aiderbichl’s sanctuaries you are allowed to look the way nature created you: different. Sadly, Liliput, Pamplono and Fipsi have already crossed the Rainbow Bridge and are now grazing in the pastures of heaven. But deep in our hearts we will never forget them…
I wanted to try to prove to you with my little story about Kathi how precious every life that nature gives us is. Perfectionism doesn’t really get us anywhere, it’s the non-standard things in life that should arouse interest and love for the different. Sincerely, Gisela
