Fall in Love with My 2,000-Pound Pet; Curious Bleu

At age 14, Curious Bleu is 2,000 pounds of pure Scottish Highland magnificence. His hardy Scottish ancestors evolved to withstand, and even enjoy, brutally cold weather. Shelter is available, but Bleu prefers to rough it outdoors with his bestie, Finn (another Highland steer). It’s painful to remember that Bleu nearly didn’t survive his first night on the farm.

When I first started farming, keeping newborn calves alive was a challenge. Calves know nothing about fences, and they are small enough to get through them. A week before Bleu’s birth, a newborn calf ran off into the woods. We tried to find him, even with help from hunting dogs, but a calf lying still in the leaves is almost impossible to spot. Unfortunately, the coyotes did find him.

When he was born, Bleu also ran off into the woods. As with the other calf, we couldn’t find him, and as it got dark, I grew desperate. But I also had an idea. If we couldn’t find him, maybe his mother could. I let her out into the woods. Either she’d find him, or the coyotes would. His fate was out of my control.

My heart leaped for joy when, the next day, mom and calf were standing at the gate.

To celebrate his return, I wrote a children’s book called “A Curious Little Calf Named Bleu.” To promote the book, young Bleu accompanied me to book-reading engagements. I did the talking and signed copies with his hoof. Bleu was pliable and willing as a calf, but that could have changed. I’ve raised calm calves who, at 2 years old, whipped their horns around like beaters in a blender, but Bleu stayed mellow. He has always been a willing partner, even going along with my nutty notion that visitors should ride him. He follows my voice commands at all times and is a perfect gentleman with regard to those long, sharp horns that curve out so majestically.

At any time, he could take exception to puny little me, but instead, he chooses to listen and obey.

Occasionally, a swish of his tail or a tilt of his head tells me he’s irritated, but that’s the extent of his protests. As long as I keep my part of our bargain and give him plenty of food, water, and back scratches, he stays loyal.

He’s a fantastic beast who accepts me as his guardian, and I love him. That’s why, although I’ve retired from the meat business and sold off most of the herd, Bleu’s place on the farm is secure—and in my heart, too.

Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm. Carole offers the Ultimate Cow Experience, where you can meet Curious Bleu and his best buddy, Finn. Click Here to schedule your time with these critters and their friends.