My name is Minnie—I’m the farm’s watchdog, supervisor, and all-around hard worker! Today, I’m going to tell you about one of my favorite times of the year: winter!
Winter is a big deal for me because, as a German Shepherd with thick hair, I can finally enjoy the cool weather without having to jump in the pond or water trough every five minutes to cool off. But winter is also exciting because it’s when we start putting hay out for the cows.
You might be wondering: Why do you put hay out for cows, and what does that even mean? Well, I’m glad you asked!
Why Do the Cows Need Hay?
Every winter, as the weather cools and the sun shines less, the grass starts to grow slower. The cows are still big, hungry animals, and they need plenty of food to keep them full and to provide the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong.
That’s why, during the summer—when the grass is green, tall, and growing like crazy—my humans cut it, bale it, and save it for winter. I always hear them saying, “I hope we have enough hay to make it to spring.” It’s a big job! After the hay is baled, they haul it and stack it in storage until the cows need it. And guess what? That time is finally here!
A Day in the Life of Hay Season
Let me tell you—nothing gets my tail wagging like seeing one of my humans pull out of the barn on a tractor with the hay spear (that’s the thing they use to pick up and move the bales). As soon as I spot that tractor rolling, I’m off like a rocket, following behind.
Keeping up with a tractor is no joke—it’s the best cardio workout a farm dog like me could ask for! I zig, I zag, and I sniff everything in the pasture. Winter’s short grass makes it easier to see all the rabbits. We play a game of tag, but somehow the rabbits always win. One of these days…one of these days!
While I’m out chasing rabbits, skunks, and other critters, my humans are hard at work. They:
- Use the tractor’s front-end loader to pick up the hay bales,
- Cut the wrap off the bales (so the cows don’t eat it), and
- Drop the hay into hay rings so it doesn’t blow away or get wasted.
I always feel a little bad for the humans because, no matter the weather—sun, rain, cold, or even snow—they still have to get out and work to feed the cows. They don’t have thick fur like me, so I bet it gets pretty chilly. But you know what? I rarely hear them complain. My humans are tough!
Wrapping Up the Day
Once all the hay is put out and the cows are happily munching away, I follow the tractor back to the barn. By that time, I’m ready for a good meal and a long nap. After all, I’ve worked hard supervising, running, and chasing those sneaky rabbits!
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed my story and maybe learned a thing or two about the hay business. So, the next time you’re driving down the highway and see big hay bales sitting in a pasture, think of me—Minnie! Just know that somewhere out there, I’m running through the fields, keeping up with tractors, and having the time of my life with these big, wonderful balls of grass.
Until next time, friends!
Woof, woof! 🐾
Minnie