To Bessie Bea, lot 121, Herd 36, USA.1
Hello, I am Annabelle Edwards, Head cow at Shady Acres Farm Inc, in NSW Australia. My human carer read on the internet that an American was trying to better the conditions for all cows. I would like to add my support to such a movement. As the only true beef producers in the world we should be encouraged to work to our full potential. Hail to the beef eating humans who consume our end product, beef, in all its forms.2
Let me state that we are proud to to provide mature, flavoursome steaks, roast dinners, barbeques and other gourmet delights for humans to eat. That is our heritage. Help us to continue to provide a continuous supply of the above.3
Summers in Australia are hot, dry, and thirsty. Our water supply comes from underground bores and those holes in the ground called,'dams'. Underground water is a little repugnant to our delicate taste because of the minerals and salts it contains. The 'dam' water is brown muddy stuff that is barely drinkable at times. I am quite concerned that our humans demand filtered, purified water for themselves,[which they then boil and put that coffee stuff in], but do not at any time consider how much better we could produce if WE had access to clear, clean water. Shame on the selfish beings, they should, at least, share.4
Shelter is the next point. Summers in our part of the country get hot, 40 degrees celsius and upwards. There is virtually no shade. Since the invention of chainsaws the trees have been removed at an alarming rate. They say it has to be done so the farm machinery can work efficiently. Rubbish, those bits of metal take up all the available space in the many magnificent sheds on the farm and only come out to do anything once or twice a year. Those mechanical monsters should be removed so that myself and my family, living beings, can make proper use of those buildings. Can you imagine how miserable it is in winter when you wish to lie down and chew your cud. Wet rain, cold winds and mud everywhere a body wants to lie. If I had the power I would Order the replanting of large trees with spreading branches When the trees grow there would be acceptable places to rest quietly while our digestion processes are working.5
Food is the third cause for concern. Sheds full of hay so sweet smelling is not available to us until:- 1 We have eaten all the rubbish in each paddock in succession, and 2. There is really nothing left to keep us alive. I believe those humans call it 'management'. I suppose we are still better off than those poor creatures who are forced to eat grain at feedlot places. We cows have four stomachs designed by nature to digest grass, not grain. How can we rugurgitate that and chew it again?6
Finally there comes the trip to the place of slaughter. Why do they take away our children as weaners or vealers instead of allowing them to mature? Marbled beef, full of flavor, tasty and tender on the barbeque, or perhaps roasted to perfection with vegetables and gravy. Can't these humans do anything right?7
Respectfully yours, Annabelle.8
Cows can have opinions too, you know.
Comments
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Thanks for the gentle reminder
It was a nice read, someone trying to see things through the eyes of the animal. Wonder what Sara Lee Annabelle's cousin might have to say about life in a CAFO(concentrated animal feed operation). Seems a shameful practice to me. The least we could do if they are going to end up on our plates is treat them well on the way there.
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Thank you for your visit and comments. CAFO out here is called "Feed Lotting". Same practice with a different name. God made grass and then made the cows to eat it. Why mess with the natural process?
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Annabelle need some prefecting.
Hello Annabelle---I want to thank you, for your take on how well we have managed beef production to-date. Just a few points and we will get on to critiquing your letter.
First Annabelle I think it’s important to realize that you are by enlarge, an engineered animal, which simply couldn’t live without the help we give you. We have experimented with housing you in buildings, barns, ect. We were rewarded with tons of highly toxic manure, which we had to clean out, on a daily, weekly, or monthly bases, depending on how many of you there are. Add to that the fact that you produce tons of methane gas, which pushes our atmosphere to its limits and you can plainly see you have not yet been perfected.
Now I will make some constructive comments on your letter.
Par. 1, sentence 2. carer should be care-giver.
Par. 2, sentence 1. The word, [to] has been dedicated. PS If this were my letter I would delete the word dinner, the roast you produce but not the dinner.
Par. 4, sentences one and to should be joined with the use of a [: or;] in sentence five change myself to I. Between branches and when there needs to be a full stop and commas after grow and later on after quietly.
Par. 6, second sentence. Sheds fill of hay so sweet smelling, yet it is not available to us until: we have eaten all the rubbish in each paddock and finally there is nothing left to keep us alive. Last sentence [Regurgitate]
Par. 7 weaners should be wieners or for veal. R there is no such word as vealers.
Well that’s about all I can see and I must say it ain’t that bad for a cow. You must remember we humans are still working on your design; soon we will have perfected the perfect cow. One that produces one third the manure, a fraction of the methane gas and three times as much delicious marbled beef.
Wow what a future we have in store for you.
Talk to you soon---ablelaz.
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Oh dear. My friend, you and I live in different parts of the world and speak a different dialect of the English language. I'm sure you will forgive me if I ignore your critique. I write in the language spoken where I live, I like it that way.
I do thank you for your visit and comments as they are appreciated, but I must ask you to desist from critiquing my writing. You and I speak a different language.
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Well done Mr. Bob
As humans, we are anything but humane at times and I have to agree with Annabelle's complaints
A lovely piece of humour, with some serious stuff thrown into the mix for good measure.
Well done
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Many thanks Lawrie. So many farmers today only see the dollar signs. Cows have the most gorgeous and expressive eyes. Their feelings are shown in their eyes when you get to know them. I learned this while a caretaker of a cattle property for a few years. I learned to love them all.
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A good letter Annabelle.
I wonder how we humans would feel if we were suddenly cast as foodstuff for another species.
If we were sold as by products and whole sale like so many chickens.
If we were knocked off the food chain and ended down at the bottom.
Humans were created to rule over the beasts of the earth but, we haven't been doing a good job at being humane have we?
There are times when I am ashamed to call myself human.
Some valid points here and a good write.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Hi Marta. Thank you for dropping in to Annabelle letter. i used to caretake a cattle farm for a few years and got to know and love my charges, all 250 of them. I know they do so much better when treated with kindness. even when a calf has died I was allowed to remove the body from amongst the cows after allowing the mother time to grieve.
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This reminds me of all those great commercials on here, "Happy cows come from California" they're great.
I loved this. They have such legitimate complaints, just as all our animals that are raised primarily for meat. Such a shame, when they give their lives for us that we can't give them a bit of comfort while they are still alive.
We raise pigs that are in small cages and never even touch the ground and thousands of chickens in one house that are raised to supply us with eggs or rushed through the growing process for the short time spent on our tables.
I love animals too, and I can't bare to see them suffering.
Way to go, Annabelle.
Trish
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Hi Trish. As you may have guessed I have an abiding love for all animals. I also know from a lifetime of experience that they do so much better when they are treated with kindness. I often walked among big cows at calving time with no fear at all.
Thank you for visit and comments, much appreciated.
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Hey rbruce,
I enjoyed this little look at life from the bovine perspective. I imagine the other animals we raise as food for the table would have similar complaints also. We humans seem to abuse everything in one way or another, don't we.
Steve
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Hi Steve and welcome to the cow's point of view. Thank you for your comment. I was caretaker of some 250 cattle for a few years and got to know them well. I wonder if they would feel like as interpretation suggests. Like all animals, they respond to kindness. I loved them all.
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Yay for cows!
I agree with this all the way. It was very well-written and made you think. And when the cow started to talk, it made me feel exactly like her. The ending line and question made me truly think for once. "Can't these humans do anything right?" That was very good!
And, unfortuantely, some of us can't. Meh. =P But some of us do, which makes me proud. I think those who kill cows just for beef should read this! >:3
Very touching. -
I like the cow talking for herself. Makes me want to write a version for a tree! Although, I don't think my tree would be quite as utilitarian as your cow. The pace was good and the voice of the cow was clear. The whole narrative was consistent in word usage and tone. It would be interesting to read a continuance of this idea, a back and forth between cow and human.
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I spent a few years caretaking cattle. Although I spent most of my working life in the building industry I have always had an affinity with animals. Hence my interpretation of what the cows may be concerned about. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and I thank you for your encourageing remarks. I am really a writer of poetry on AP and only dabble elsewhere.
Cheers
Bob
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Oh wow, this was great! You brought up several valid points that I'm quite sure cows would complain about if they could (Click Clack Moo, anyone?) And I enjoyed the Australian angle; I'm sure cows in Australia have just as valid a beef as any other.
Very well written, thanks for sharing!
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Cows are cows, no matter where in the world they happen to live. They would all have the same , or at least similar, requests for better breeding conditions. It takes time to read and comment and I thank you for your effort.
Cheers
BOB
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I love this story. The cow had indeed a lot to say that was spot on and i would definately stand by her if she wanted to grab a banner and protest. I have always thought about those poor cattle standing in pastures with no shade. The cow said everything there was to be said about crazy humans and their stupidity. A beautiful story full of warnings and pleadings which should be headed. I love the beginning. It was so good!
The ending was very touching. All in all. I give you top marks for such a wonderful adventure into the thoughts of a cow. God bless them.
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I thank you and so does Annabelle. I was a caretaker for about 250 cows on 2000 acres of dirt and sand for a few years and got to know the cows quite well. They are often poorly treated when one considers the profits that are made from them. This is my second attempt at writing prose. The first one was not worth reading so I filed it for future reference.
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Cow! Ah sorry, Wow!
I will never be able to eat beef again without Annabelle's eyes staring at me from the back of my mind!
Very well written, and well observed from a cow's point of view. Excellent cowit(t)y.
Annabelle, unfortunately humanity (and cowity!) are rare natural phenomenons found in humans. The Masters only care about the bottom line, and those that really care need to make best within the limitations.
I feel your pain though ... All the best.
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Hi Rachel and thank you from the girls in the paddock. There are 40 of them just across the driveway from where I'm sitting. I shall miss them when we move on the 18th April. I shall use Annabelle's Letter to remind me. Thanks again. Bob.
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Wow! This is a really great letter. Yay for Annabelle! That is so sad and incredibly true. I have seen some really bad situations around in my area. Very great write
~Joann
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Hi Joann, I am a caretaker of cattle and they would thank you for your support in their battle for better conditions. Me, I thank you for reading and enjoying my writing. Cheers and best wishes, Bob
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Para 4 you have dilights, should be 'delights'
Para 6 2nd sentence capitalize 'There'
What a wonderful piece. Me being American, I love it.
Keep it up.
Brooke
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Hi Brooke, I've fixed the typo's and thank you for your comments. My first real effort at prose. I will write some more as time goes by. Thank you your encouragement. Cheers, Bob
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I love this letter, but take out WDC and in para 4 spell 'dilights' as 'delights' Otherwise it's fine and I would recommend everyone to send this letter to anyone who knows a farmer. Not us though, we're converted to humane cattle rearing! Pity they're not our girls, but the boss's.
More power to you Annabelle!
Lis
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5.
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