03/06/2026
Remembering Mrs Margaret
In 2013 we met a mother cow who was to be sent to slaughter. Her job as a 'beef breeder' had come to an end. She was past her use by date and had terrible mastitis, her Udder was enormous. Despite this she was healthy, bright and active.
1 month after we took her in, she gave birth to a healthy calf who we named Pixie. Despite her Udder she managed to feed her baby and went on to live life by her side. For the first time in her life her baby wasnt taken from her. To think her and her almost full term calf would have been slaughtered sends shivers.
For the next few years we tossed up putting Margaret through a full mastectomy, her Udder was huge and likely uncomfortable but our vets weren't sure if it was worth the risk. She was living happily and was otherwise healthy. The chances of her making it through such a massive procedure at her age were slim but in 2023 we were given no choice. Margaret developed cancer on her Udder and the only chance she had of survival was to remove it. With all hands and hooves on deck (the hospital herd donated blood) Margaret went under the knife at 23 years of age. It was a long and stressful surgery for the incredible staff at TAHMU. But Margaret, tough as nails, made it through and never looked back. We battled wound breakdown after the surgery while she munched on Lucerne hay and lived her best life, not a care in the world. She was finally rid of that horrible Udder, her happiest years were after that.
Again, she showed us just how strong she was after her recent fall. She tried and tried and tried, until she said no more. As much as I didnt want to accept it, she had well and truly had enough after 4 days of slow progress. Her 26 year old body was weary, she lay down while I spoke to her and stroked her sweet grey face and she went peacefully of to sleep with the help of our Vet Dr Tess. My heart was and still is shattered, she was the very first official rescue for GPS. She was the Queen, the matriarch and the sweetest friend. Her family and I will miss her eternally. As always, I find comfort in the fact she lived a life worth living and boy did we do absolutely all we could to give her and her baby the life they deserved.
Thank you to everyone who played a part caring for her and loving her during her time at the sanctuary. Forever grateful ❤️
Til next time, my sassy queen. I love you.
