Ranger

A couple of months ago we butchered our little steer, Ranger.  We acquired him from a local rancher after his mother abandoned him.  Discovered frost bitten and weak in a corner of the pasture the rancher knew his future wasn't bright, so he gave him to us. Michaela and Katherine raised him from calfhood, feeding him a bottle and nursing him back from some pretty sick days.  

He was riddled with problems the first couple months. His ears became infected and he required antibiotics.  Our friend, Cassie, who was born and raised on a cattle ranch, advised the girls as they nursed him back to health.  After we moved him to a friend's pasture (in the back of our Camry....not one of my better decisions) he became ill yet again and Cassie, Michaela and Katherine helped him heal up.  

He never really grew too well, but after a couple summers we decided it was time for the inevitable. Katherine began graining him every day.  It's bittersweet fattening an animal for butchering.  A person enjoys spending time with the animal, all-the-while knowing that it is for a purpose.  

I procrastinated calling the butcher for a bit too long.  As luck would have it, they don't butcher anything other than wild game during hunting season, so Kath continued to feed him til right before Christmas.  

Now, we're no vegetarians, but it is slightly difficult to see your fuzzy little calf packaged up for the freezer vs. grabbing some steaks at the local grocery store.  A few weeks later Cassie asked me how Ranger tasted.  Ugh.  I told her that we hadn't tried any of the meat yet.  My heart just wasn't in a t-bone. 

Now, Cassie is a rare jewel.  She has been caring for her ailing mother for several years now and sees beauty in every life, treating animals and humans alike with gentleness that is rare these days.  All creatures great and small....Cassie loves them all.  After I explained to Cassie my feelings about eating Ranger she had some advice.  After telling me the story of how her Dad butchered one of her pets when she was young, she explained how she was able to reconcile with eating it.  She told me that animals were made for our use (this is totally biblical!) and that I needed to thank God for what Ranger had taught my children with his life.  An animal's purpose is to serve humans, whether it be companionship, food, education, etc. I needed to be grateful for the nourishment he would provide our family and to thank God (and Ranger) for the gift of his life while preparing a meal. 

I can't say the first package of burger was easy and my stomach still turns a bit while seasoning steaks.  But at the end of day, how is it any different than steaks from the grocer or fried chicken from the deli?  For some reason, because we are typically removed from the process we don't connect mentally in the same manner, somehow convincing ourselves that the steer from our own pasture is different from cattle in a feedlot. Or that the elk from the woods are different from a bison on a farm. 

I am so grateful for Cassie's mentoring the past few years with my kiddos.  More than that, I'm always so appreciative for her perspective on life.  Her love of the earth is so apparent as we visit about grass and soil and horses and cats and water and.....cows.  She is so gentle that she often catches me off guard with her practical wisdom.  
Thank you, Cassie, for just being you! 

Katherine, and Michaela too, were so dedicated with Ranger.

Now Kath is begging for another calf!