EW021623

Is there anything as comfy, cozy and wonderful to a dairy farmer as the sounds and smells of a contented herd of cows lying in a bed of straw in a nice warm barn on a frigid winter night?

We had a couple of cold nights last week and it reminded me of this. When we were growing up on the farm in Wisconsin there were some pretty frigid nights.

On those winter nights when we knew it was going to be down in the single digits or colder, we would throw down a few extra bales of straw from the haymow and stack them up inside the barn against the outside doors to keep the cold out.

A warm barn on a cold night

By SCOTT CERNEK Columnist

In the morning those straw bales stacked around the doors would have a nice layer of frost on them, but the worst of the cold air had stayed outside.

With 96 cows all throwing off a great deal of body heat, the barn stayed nice and warm even though the wind blew, and the temps dropped lower and lower throughout the night.

In the morning when we stepped inside the barn, we were greeted with the sounds of contented animals chewing their cuds with steam exiting their nostrils as they breathed in rhythm with each other. Sometimes nearly every cow would be lying down in their stanchions, which was quite an impressive sight as well.

Cows are really very social animals who love to be with other cows and people too. A good dairy farmer becomes almost one with the herd, caring for them and looking after their needs with a real sense of protection and concern.

It’s funny how the herd knows exactly when a

stranger comes around. They get a little restless and uneasy until they get to know the person and feel safe. Dairy farmers are conscientious about their animals partly because it is their livelihood, but also because there is an innate sense of protection that he has for his animals.

I was watching the cable program called, The Amazing Dr. Pol, the other day. He has a veterinarian practice and animal health clinic over in Michigan, and they have been making a television program about his practice for several years.

I love watching the show and seeing how much affection these animal owners

have for their sick pets and farm animals.

Dr. Pol always seems to know just what to do to get those animals up and healthy again. I’m sure they edit out the times when the animals don’t make it as that wouldn’t make for very good television.

It is pretty amazing how much love and responsibility people show for their animals. Our youngest daughter has always been especially fond of every living creature she ever saw.

One of our favorite fatherdaughter times was when I would take her to a pet store, which was often, and we would just walk around and see all the different kinds of

pets there were. We did this for years, all the way up until she was grown up. We usually came home with a new gerbil, bunny, fish or something. I had a hard time saying no to my baby girl.

In Proverbs 27:23 we read; know well the condition of your flocks and give attention to your herds. God gave man dominion over the animals to treat them well and help the animal become useful to man.

Whether they are a pet bringing joy and companionship or livestock providing food and clothing for our needs, our job is to care for them and give them a good life as best we can.

Until next week, God bless.

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Part-Time Advertising Sales Representative

We are currently seeking a Part-Time Advertising Sales Representative to serve new and current clients in our Belvidere market. If you like a fast-paced environment and enjoy a challenge, this is the opportunity for you!

For immediate consideration

send resume /job history to: Vicki Vanderwerff, Director of Advertising

Email: vicki@southernlakesnewspapers.com

(262) 725-6844

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All

real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.

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