Widening Horizons
Before I had kids, I didn’t realize how your kids’ interests become yours too. My younger daughter has always been interested in animal science, and I have tagged along on some of her adventures.
Every day started with some time with the dog.
Lots of little girls love animals, but my daughter would check animal science books out from the library, and bring them to show me – “Look, Mommy, that is sarcoptic mange!”
She talked my mother-in-law into standing in a ravine with her to help dig up the cow bones she could see, and then she took them home and cleaned them.
“I can see the bones down there!”
The rescued skull. Many, many other bones came home with it.
The highlight of her childhood was when we were staying at a friend’s farm, and she got to help the vet give a cow a C-section! She was about 9 at the time.
A very kind vet let my daughter help.
The calf with its mama.
Bottle-feeding the new baby.
We knew that in high school she would raise some animals in FFA. I thought she would raise a sheep, then a pig, then a calf for senior year. Her ag teacher talked us into starting with calves, and she ended up raising and showing 5 steers. We all got involved with that and had a great time.
It’s good to have help with that pre-show prep.
On the other hand…
Her last calf in the show ring.
She also worked at a vet’s office all through high school, and ended up pursuing a biology degree at a university in West Texas. Because she was living out there, she found out about the Teacher/Ranger/Teacher program that allowed me to become a seasonal ranger at Big Bend National Park!
This is just a tiny slice of the adventures she has gotten into. For more, you can check out her blog and see what she has been up to more recently. Happy Birthday, My Wildhood!
Thanks for sharing that. Our kids grow up far too quickly.
Yes, they do. I know I am so much richer for those years and all the things the kids led me into!
Thanks, Mom! I’m still so glad you were able to do that ranger/teacher program! Yes, many adventures have been had, and many more still await! Thanks for the shout out!
It was so hard to choose just a few pictures! I could have posted dozens. Good times….
Very nice, and interesting post. I agreed about children liking animals. My granddaughter likes dogs and doesn’t mind how small or big she wants to be close. May GOD continues to Bless your daughter in all she does. Mtetar
Thank you for your kind blessings, and I pray the same for you and your granddaughter!
Thanks, and you’re welcome. Mtetar
It is great to see the world through the eyes of a kid! Nice post.
She was the one who summed up our dream vacation of two weeks in Italy with, “I saw 37 pigeons missing a toe.” Always focused on animals!
What a touching story. And good for you for letting her explore her interests. You must be so proud.
Thank you for the nice comments. I am indeed proud of both of my daughters, and so glad they dragged me along into their areas of interest!