Pat comes to the rescue of Melissa Rescuing homeless cats and dogs and other small animals is the usual work of Borders Animal Welfare Association but last summer the charity was left with a very large problem in the shape of two cows.
Named Mimosa and Melissa, the two Jersey cows had been kept as pets but when their doting owner died there appeared to be nowhere suitable for the cows to go. Their owner, a small holder from near Carter Bar, had asked BAWA to care for all his animals if anything shold happen to him. and after his death the charity was faced with rehoming cats, dogs, bees, hens, bantams, guinea fowl and the two elderly cows. The cats and birds were quickly rehomed but the cows proved to be more of a problem. While BAWA was searching for something suitable, committee members went to the smallholding on a regular basis to keep an eye on the animals while the day to day care and feeding was carried out by a neighbour from a nearby farm. Months went by while possibilites were checked out but one by one they all fell through. BAWA were starting to despair when volunteer Pat Jones heard of a couple who were looking for an an animal companion for their elderly donkey. Transport was volunteered, the necessary ear tags were put in place and on an early winter afternoon both cows headed off to their new home at Cockburnmill near Duns to live beside 37 year old Esmerelda the donkey. Unfortunately in January, Mimosa had to be put to sleep as she kept falling. However, although Melissa and Esmerleda could not be described as great companions they are slowly beginning to spend a little more time near each other. Pat, who has been involved in animal rescue for 40 years, helped by Alison Greenwood, said it was the first time she had ever had to rehome cows. 'It is great that the story has a happy ending and thanks are due to our friend Sue for her invaluable knowledge of cows and her financial support' said Pat who works as a volunteer for BAWA whilst still carrying out rescue in the Duns area.
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