cheap therapy?

[cowman]

This winter I decided to retire from the oil field service thing(only for the winter!). Shuffled that off on the boy...not a big deal just a small field that needs to be serviced.
So anyway my sole duty is to feed the cows and then I get to slack off in the shop or spend some time with my old sick friend! Now I'm not pressed for time(especially with this near perfect winter) so I can slack off and wander amongst the cows whenever it takes my fancy.
I always feel really good just walking amongst them? I know every animal and can remember everything in their life and usually their mommas, great gramma etc.! I get a lot of satisfaction seeing how well they are doing and somehow or other it makes me feel good? I know in the big picture the money they make are a joke...but it sure is good for my soul! Maybe I need to get back to the real world?

[cowman]

Just came back in the house from doing exactly that. Checking the gals, guessing which one will calve first and wandering around in the heifer calf pen .
This winter has sure been a good one for getting out and enjoying some fresh air after spending most of each week either in a vehicle or working in the city where there is NO fresh air !

[farmers_son]

I recall many years back actually reading a medical paper that suggested bedding calves was the****utic. I believe being out and about with cattle is good for the soul and has many of the benefits attributed to having pets.

[farmers_son]

speaking of pets, I had to have my old border collie put down last summer at almost 16 years of age. I vowed not to ever have another dog because I get far to attached to pets but have decided that I was wrong so am now looking for a border pup, or a border cross. Walking around the farm with a good dog is excellent therapy, and I realized that I really miss having that faithful pal with me...so am willing to put up with all the trials and tribulations of training a pup AGAIN !!