Rosy and Maple move in!

We decided it was time to bring Maple and Rosy, our Jersey heifers, home.  Maple will be a year old in December and Rosy was born in April.  All summer they'd been bunking with the pigs down the road in the Consider Bardwell pasture.  Now that we have a nice new spot all fenced in we thought we'd take advantage of the beautiful weather last week and attempt to lead them down the road so they could share it with Liesel and Tartine.  So, Dan and I biked down the rail trail and cut across the alfalfa field near the goat pasture and up the path to the fenced in hillock where the pigs have been grazing and rooting since spring, playing host to the heifers, so that Dan could catch Rosy, tie a bale string around her neck and lead her home.  We weren't sure what to expect, since she'd never been led before.....

First, past the Consider Bardwell goats, out grazing in the afternoon sun.

Next past the pigs.  This one is too busy to notice us.  At first.

When she realizes there may be a chance to escape, or better yet, for food,
she runs and joins the rest of the gang.  They line up and heckle us when they realize
there will be neither.  Though they are all girls, they are not very lady like.

Rosy proves to be very accommodating, letting Dan not only tie a string around her neck,
but leading quite nicely.  The pigs, on the other hand, are quite grumpy, complaining and
conspiring all the while.  One even took a nip at Dan's leg.  Rosy is obviously quite
disdainful of her porcine roommates.

As the 2 hereford pigs distract Dan, the 2 pinkies whisper their escape plan.  Rosy is wise to their
deceitful ways, having spent all summer in their devious company.  She vows to foil their plot!

Wendy watches the goings on from her yard.  She is not impressed.

All goes off without a hitch!  The pigs' escape attempt is foiled, and
Rosy and Dan are soon scampering down the road toward the new pasture
where Liesel and Tartine are waiting.  Just one more hurdle to get past.....

This could be trouble! Dan must navigate Rosy past the pasture where the cows are grazing.
Being very nosy creatures, as soon as they see the little entourage, they come running, mooing loudly!
Hopefully, they will stay IN the pasture and Rosy will stay out of it.

Finally, they make it to the new pasture.  Tartine and Liesel welcome her heartily!

Next, it's Maple's turn.  Fortunately all goes well and she is now happily settled in
with Rosy, Tartine and Liesel.  The pigs are happier too.