Wrangling Calves

We got a call just after 5 this morning from the neighbor to the south. They were on their way to open their diner and saw two calves in the ditch about a mile from our house. They thought they might be our calves. Husband explained the situation, then left to go see if they calves were still there. He then drove to the neighbor to the west who had lost his calves yesterday. His cell phone was ruined yesterday when he flipped into the ditch so we weren't able to call him. He is very sore today, but not seriously injured.

Husband did his own chores then checked back in with the neighbor to see if they needed help. Neighbor had called The Wild Cattle Catching Company. Seriously, that is their business name. They are located several hours away, but they were bringing their horses and dogs to wrangle those stray calves.

Meanwhile, we could see Neighbor's wife and hired man out driving around the section once in a while. About 2 hours later we looked out the window and saw those calves making their way through the field across the road from our house to the west.

Closer...

and closer...

...and closer. 

Husband went out with the tractor to drive them into our barn lane.

Those silly calves went right up the lane, past the barn and into the field east of our house.

More driving around and finally they headed back to our place. Husband had turned his bull out thinking that might encourage the calves to come to our place. 

They were able to catch one and put it in the back of the hired man's pickup. There is a camper cover so it couldn't jump out.

The other wanted to be close to it, but not close enough to get caught. Husband was able to drive it up through the field with the tractor back to our place. It took a team effort. Notice the tractor, two vehicles and at least one person on the road. I tried to help when they got up closer to the house, but I slipped and fell going through the ditch. I landed on my backside so no injuries! Ha. Husband said I could go back in the house at that point.

The last calf was caught right as the Wild Cattle Catching cowboys showed up, about 12:30. I was hoping to see them in action, but they were too late!

Between happenings at school yesterday and the run-away calves the last 24 hours have been an adventure!

Oh, and, our water heater has decided it needs to be replaced so we were waiting on the plumber during the calve wrangling. Turns out the some of the pipes need to be replaced. He needed to get more parts so he left the new water heater and will be back tomorrow to install it.