Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
West Somerset Free Press, and Williton and Watchet Journal. Saturday 08 Jun 1867
Page 4 Column 5
WEST HARPTREE.
REMARKABLE OCCURRENCE WITH A COW. - Early this spring a cow belonging to Mr. H. LANE, of West Harptree, gave birth to a calf, which died. About the same time a ewe, belonging to Mr. LANE, died, after giving birth to a lamb, and another ewe gave birth to three lambs. On the death of the calf the cow began to show signs of attachment to the orphan lamb, allowing it to suck her (lying down while it did so). One of the three about-mentioned lambs were also put to her, and she has taken an equal liking to it. She is now rearing both lambs, and they follow her to and from her pasture. If either of her adopted children strays a little distance from her, the cow calls after it, and they are obedient to her call, and take no notice of the noise made by any other cow. Another remarkable circumstance about these lambs is, that they don't fear a dog. On one occasion they chased a dog out of the village, the cow running after them, and having to call several times before they would relinquish their pursuit. The trio can be seen night and morning going through West Harptree, or in a field adjoining the village.