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It’s Betsy’s 15th birthday!

July 20, 2022 by Katelyn -

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Today, we celebrate Betsy, den mother of our tiny bovine herd, turning 15! Many thanks to Paulette Wrisley, for remembering, honoring and celebrating EACH of our sanctuary residents through generously sponsoring days of sanctuary in their honor! We so appreciate your gracious heart, Paulette.

Betsy may be the smallest member of her family, but I’d say Betsy just being Betsy often makes her feel like the largest. She is full of moxie and sass when she deems necessary, which is usually when looking after and protecting her tiny herd or letting the humans know just what she needs them to know. And Betsy’s spirit shows most of all in her love for her ginormous forever baby boy, Nutmeg.

The delightful and rare privilege of getting to watch this small bovine family being allowed to live out their lives together, mamas and their children spending their days in safety and peace, is just that, a privilege. Most importantly for them (thanks to you), but for all of us as well. Seeing them is an endearing testament to the love and bonds all animals share when allowed the opportunity and we are so grateful to all who make this possible, to all who help make our own hearts bigger.

You can learn more about Betsy by clicking here, and her family and their unique history here. You can also learn more about becoming a Bovine Buddy to one, or the whole tiny herd, here.

Happy Birthday, gorgeous Betsy!

Betsy (background) and her son, Nutmeg:

Betsy, Nutmeg, Honey and her daughter, Meredith:

9 Comments

  1. Avatar Linda C on July 20, 2022 at 9:18 am

    Paulette, you are too generous!



  2. Avatar Caroline on July 20, 2022 at 9:23 am

    Happy Birthday dear Betsy, my beautiful girl. I hope you get lots of fresh treats to share with your small but mighty family. Sending lots of love and admiration to the team of caregivers that gave you this precious chance at a free life in a field of greens. I know, I sound a bit hokey, but I’m happy for you and your family and proud to be your bovine buddy and wish you many more birthdays to come!



  3. Avatar tomaustin on July 20, 2022 at 9:24 am

    I grew-up around my Grandparent’s farm in rural Mississippi….cows, horses, mules, hogs, and assorted other visitors in and out…..the cows were the most independent bunch of all the animals…they just did whatever they wanted to do…..BUT, among themselves, they had a rank and responsibility order…..watch them long enough and it became evident…..they knew their position and respected every other one’s……great education in leadership……..



  4. Avatar Tobin on July 20, 2022 at 9:42 am

    “The delightful and rare privilege of getting to watch this small bovine family being allowed to live out their lives together, mamas and their children spending their days in safety and peace, is just that, a privilege.” Thank you, Katelyn; that one sentence says it all. My gratitude to the Cattle Sanctuary Northwest for allowing Betsy and her herd to have birthdays. With any luck, further reading by the bibliophile Cy will bring him around to appreciating the intrinsic value and beauty of his bovine neighbors.

    Happy Birthday, Betsy Beauvine.



  5. Avatar Deb Reintzell on July 20, 2022 at 10:25 am

    Happy Birthday Betsy?



  6. Avatar Kathleen on July 20, 2022 at 10:42 am

    Happy, green pastures birthday to lovely Betsy! Through many fortunate twists of fate, Betsy was saved from her wretched life as a milk producer to grooving in this uber fortunate position of retired sanctuary resident and loving mama to THE most handsome bovine boy in the world. Betsy’s past makes this birthday all the more special. Long may she live!

    Please give Betsy and the gang a birthday scratch from me.

    (Paulette, I send you a big hug for being the birthday fairy godmother to everybody who calls this sanctuary home.)



  7. Avatar Paulette on July 20, 2022 at 1:46 pm

    Oh my gosh how beautiful are they? Magnificent majestic beings on this beautiful pristine property with brilliant bright green grasses. How happy they must be!



  8. Avatar CeeCee on July 20, 2022 at 3:36 pm

    Happy Birthday Betsy,
    I think you are Moo-Velous !



  9. Avatar Arlene and Michael on July 20, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    Happy Birthday dear Betsy!



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