Dairyman chooses a bloody end to life's toil

[cobalt]

Dairyman chooses a bloody end to life's toil
Columbia County farmer shoots 51 cows, then himself, police say

By PAUL GRONDAHL, Staff writer

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=892270&category=&BCCode=&newsdate=1/23/2010

[slim2none]

Oh man, that is really sad.  

You know, milk cows live way longer than meat cows, and you have to get used to the animal (and she to you)  to get close enough to milk her.  While not pets, they are still different from other livestock that comes and goes.   Many a cold morning I've laid my head up against Maple while milking just for the mutual comfort of a 'warm being' there next to you.  

Apparently this fellow had reached the end of the line, and knew it, and also knew it wouldn't take long once he was gone for these cows that MUST be milked regularly to be in pain and misery if no one was there to take up the task.  He did the best he could by them right up to the end.


RIP good farmer, and Vaya con Dios!