selling

It was Sunday. It was hot. Phillip, the drone operator, Jostan and Blake, the cowboys, and I agreed to meet that afternoon at the last known location of Sweet Caroline.

Phillip and I arrived first and the drone was sent up. Sweet Caroline could not be found. Keeping in mind that the drone searches for heat signatures and does better in the evening, we were not discouraged. That said, I would have loved to have seen her.

Jostan and Blake arrived early afternoon. They weren’t much for small talk. After discussing where she was last seen and the layout of the land, they boarded their 4 wheeler and went looking for her. I saw each of them get off the 4 wheeler more than once and go walking into the woods next to the field. After searching for about an hour, they came back to announce that she is not there. This can’t be happening.

Jostan and Blake agreed to come back in the evening if we found her. Admittedly, I was a little taken aback, but never was I not going to give up hope. Philip and I went to eat. Refreshed we returned to the last sighting.

The drone went up. Nothing. Philip would not stop. He would fly the drone, land it, change the battery, take a small break, and send it back up.

Late into the evening, Phillip said to me that he is going to fly over the pasture where there were other cattle. He flew over and looked at each cow. “Scott, come here. This cow looks black but has what appears to be mud on her legs.”

I walked over to him, and Phillip showed me the screen. There she was. “That is her. I would recognize Sweet Caroline anywhere.”

We had found her. Sweet Caroline had managed on her own to find a way into the pasture to be with other cattle. She most likely crawled under the fence near a small creek. That is the same area where I had tried to walk her in to the gate.

I called the cowboys. We had found her. Jostan and Blake committed to coming the following day.

It was Monday. It was hotter than it was Sunday. From my hotel, I called the landowner. I explained that Sweet Caroline was on his property, with his cattle. The farmer was nice and respectful, but asked for proof. He was hesitant to allow anyone try to get her. I told him the cowboys were coming.

I met Jostan and Blake at the gate of the pasture where Sweet Caroline was seen the night before. It was a large pasture. Jostan wanted to take his 4 wheeler. The farmer would not allow it until we had proof she was there. Jostan and Blake took off on foot. Hot and trudging over small hills, steep embankments and through woods, they found her. They sent me a video. I confirmed to the farmer that it was her.
He agreed it was not his cow. She wouldn’t leave the herd.

Jostan and Blake came back to the trailer and indicated that they may have to tranquilize her. They explained the risks. When one of the risks is death, it makes you pause. They hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but wanted my permission.

The farmer had left. Jostan looked at me. I said, “What do you think?” Jostan said, and I will never forget it, “I am going to go get your cow.” He and Blake got the tranquilizer gun, got on the 4 wheeler and left.

Approximately 20 minutes later, I got a phone call. It was Jostan. “She is right in front of me. What do you want to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“You have to give me permission to use the tranquilizer gun. I need you to say it.”

“Is there risks?”

“Yes, but I have done it many times and have never had a problem.”

“Do it.”

I heard the shot. I waited. Nothing. 10 minutes. 15 minutes. 20 minutes. I hear a 4 wheeler. 25 minutes. I got a call.

“Bring the trailer now. Drive to other side of the pasture. She is waking up.”

I drove. I got there and they had her tied but she didn’t want to be. I backed the trailer up and the three of us got her into the trailer. It wasn’t easy, but we got her.

“Now that is some real cowboy crap!” I yelled. I hugged them both. Sweet Caroline was in the trailer.

They drove their 4 wheeler and I drove my truck and trailer back to their truck. I asked what I owed and paid the bill. I thanked then for a job well done.

The farmer came back and asked if we got her. I told her she was in the trailer. He jumped on the trailer and looked in.

“She looks like an Angus.”

“I want to pay you for your time and trouble.”

“Absolutely not. I don’t want it. I am glad you got her.” He started to walk away. He turned back around and asked, “Can I asked what you paid them?” I told him. He shook his head and then said, “Tell me something. Hotel, drone, cowboys. This has cost you a lot of money. Didn’t it cost you much more than the calf is worth?”

I looked him in the eye, and with a tear falling down my cheek, I said, “Not even close.”
The farmer smiled. Nodded once and walked away.

Sweet Caroline was going home.

A little bit about the author. I own and operate a small farm called “Our Yellowstone LLC” in Illinois. I couldn’t do it alone, but will keep my wife’s name out of it to protect her innocence.