Diary of a dairy calf
Following on from our UK Dairy Day blog, Cloe Moers introduces her free e-book written from the perspective of a dairy calf during her first 100 days of life.
When we speak about animal rights, we typically share information from an outside perspective. The human equivalent of this would be for a man to speak on women's rights or someone from one country speaking on the rights of someone from another country. The more people we have defending the rights of others, the better. But do we lose something from not sharing first-hand accounts of events and traumas?
All animals are unique in the way they express themselves. Most animals rely on body language, subtle cues, and various vocal sounds. Others form verbal language. No matter the form, expression is always shown. Cows, chickens, bees, fish, turkeys, and other non-human individuals may not speak the language of humans for the same reason that humans do not speak and express in the exact way they do, but that does not prohibit our ability to have empathy and compassion and to be an observer of the mind and body expression of another.
When a human is in pain, they may cry or scream. When a non-human individual is in pain, they do the same, but in the ways their body was designed to do.
When we observe a dairy mother who has been pregnant for 9 months and gives birth to her baby calf, we can either acknowledge the loving bond that is expressed right in front of us in a clear and obvious way, or we can forcibly remove that bond and abuse both mother and child.
When a mother protects her baby, grooms and nurtures her baby, looks out for her child, and calls for them- we know that this is love, but can we accept it? Can we accept the fact that their bond and connection are more valuable and beautiful than the taste of her addictive milk is for us?
Can we look at ourselves and recognize that the love we have for one another and ourselves is just as beautiful as the love another species has for their child and loved ones?
Can we take a moment and have genuine empathy and compassion for all sentient life, not just the ones that look familiar to us?
How would the world change if we no longer othered and exploited sentient life?
Love is a calf born on a dairy farm in the U.S. and I wrote a diary from her perspective describing her accounts of life with as little human bias as possible. She experiences joy, love, loss, connection, anger, fear, pain, and friendship. She may not be human, but her emotions and her will to live are just as real as mine and yours. Love progresses through her feelings, thoughts, and complexity of experience throughout the book. Her thoughts and feelings begin very simplistic and end in a way you’ll just have to see. Here are her first 2 days from her perspective:
Day 1
I’m feeling a bit scared. I just woke up, and this has been my first hour in the world. I love my mama so much. She makes me so happy. I don’t know what I would do without her. She makes my heart feel so big. She makes my love explode outwards. She makes me feel safe, protected, and secure.
There are a lot of loud noises around me.
There are large machines. They don’t feel right; I want to be away from them. My mama is protecting me from them. I can almost fit completely underneath her, which makes me happy. I want to be with her forever. I am hungry now, so I will go back to eating.
Day 2
I have been separated from my mama. I do not know where she is, and this scares me. I want to find her. Loud noise is scary to me. I always feel hungry.
I am given food. I see others like me. I want to leave. I wish to be somewhere else. I wish to be anywhere but here. I want to be able to see and be with my mama again. I feel so sad. I am constantly shaking. Why am I here? I need help, and I want help. A person is coming toward me, and they are giving me a bottle of milk. It tastes like my mama's milk- but it is not. I try to tell him that I do not belong here, but he just walks away and says nothing. I feel miserable. I start crying, but nothing changes. I will just go to sleep. Hopefully, when I wake up I will be with my mama again.
You can access this free E-book or purchase a paperback, Diary of a Dairy Calf; my first 100 days, using the link below: https://www.efaanimals.org/product-page/diary-of-a-dairy-calf-my-first-100-days
Chloe Moers is an energy healer, animal communicator, the founder of the non-profit organisation Empathy for All Animals, the founder of the healing Modalities of Unconditional Love Reiki, Herbal Energy Healing, Fruit Love Healing, and more. Her mission is to create balance and spread love and empathy for all life https://www.efaanimals.org/