Moonpie, a young miniature cow, seems to be experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. For the past six weeks, she has found herself in the care of Rocky Ridge Refuge, a sanctuary in Arkansas that specializes in looking after animals with special needs. Surprisingly, instead of mingling with fellow bovines, Moonpie has forged an unlikely companionship with 12 dogs.
Janice Wolf, the sanctuary’s founder, notes that Moonpie has readily accepted the dogs as her closest pals. She explains, “Babies like that – they don’t know a whole lot about what it’s supposed to be, so they kind of just accept things.”
Moonpie’s journey to this unusual friendship began when someone attempted to sell her at a livestock auction. Wolf, who avoids these auctions due to the conditions and treatment of animals, sent a friend on her behalf to see if they could help any animals in need. Moonpie quickly caught her friend’s eye.
Wolf shares, “She was a mini, and you don’t see a lot of those go through the local auctions.” Moonpie’s release was secured by Wolf’s friend, and she was transported to the sanctuary.
However, since Moonpie was still a young calf dependent on milk, Wolf knew she couldn’t place her outside with the other rescue cows. She had limited indoor space, and the weather was cold and rainy, making it unsuitable for the calf. Consequently, Moonpie ended up in Wolf’s bedroom. What was initially intended to be a brief stay extended to six weeks due to unpredictable weather conditions.
Wolf’s rescue dogs also reside indoors with her, so Moonpie gained canine housemates. Wolf recounts, “They were all thrilled to see her.”
While Moonpie was adored by all the dogs, a deaf white terrier named Spackle formed a special bond with the calf. “Spackle loves babies, and immediately became her protector and buddy. She wouldn’t leave that calf’s side. They instantly bonded.”
The dogs took on the role of surrogate mothers, grooming Moonpie just like her biological mother would have. They cleaned her face and showed her how to “use the bathroom” outside, mirroring the behavior of the dogs.
With improving weather, Moonpie has been able to spend more time outdoors, and she had the opportunity to meet another miniature calf at the sanctuary, Sooner. Wolf noted that Moonpie was initially uncertain about Sooner but soon recognized her as another friendly companion. Wolf believes that Moonpie has come to understand her true identity as a cow.
Although Moonpie has more growing to do before she can join the other animals at the sanctuary, she already has a wide variety of canine companions. The sanctuary is home to many animals, including an emu, a water buffalo, a zebra, capybaras, pigs, dogs, goats, chickens, and other cows, all of which have been rescued from abusive and neglectful situations.
“It’s all just a matter of who’s in your space,” Wolf reflects. “You love the ones you’re with. I think she just knows that there’s a lot of different friends in the world.”
Moonpie’s unwavering love for every dog she encounters serves as a heartwarming reminder of the universal language of love that transcends species boundaries. Her story teaches us to embrace the uniqueness of each individual, regardless of their species, and to cherish the connections we share with them.
May the tale of this miniature cow and her affection for dogs inspire all of us to celebrate the diversity of life and to foster love, acceptance, and compassion for all living beings.