Chyna, the friendliest cow you will ever meet
Most New Zealanders see cows as something to eat – well here’s one that’s been a family pet for 14 years.
Pedigree ayrshire cow Chyna has been with Sally Elson and her daughter Daina Purvitis for nearly 14 years but needs a new home.
Called the “friendliest cow you will ever meet”, Chyna was hand raised in Hamilton from one day old.
“She’s the happiest when she gets a scratch on the neck and the top of her head,” Daina said.
Chyna was a calf club calf that friend and farmer Peter Mellow gave as a birthday present to Daina when she was younger.
Daina was keen on farming, and when she was 12 she would help Peter on the farm, milking the cows.
Chyna was the second calf Daina had for calf club; she had Chyna’s mother first.
“She’s been a special part of my life. She’s my baby, but by the size of her that’s a bit of a joke,” Daina said.
At the time Sally thought, “oh my god, a pet cow.”
“And here I am 14 years later, now I am moving to town and she needs a new home,” she said.
The relationship Daina has with Chyna is the same as any child would have with a pet.
“They [Daina and Chyna] are just best buddies. Daina can sit on top of her, she can do anything with Chyna. They remember each other.”
“People say put her down, and I say, ‘Do you kill your dog? No’.”
Chyna is a friendly cow, “specially if you feed her,” Sally laughs.
Chyna can be led around, although she is very big.
Some cows live to 16 or 18 so “she has a few more years left in her”.
Sally is looking for someone to have Chyna, but they need to have about 2 acres of land, some hay (Sally has some that can come with Chyna), and she needs her feet done which Sally would pay for too.
“If you just gave her a whole paddock she would just eat it all.”
“She’s on a diet.”
Chyna has won quite a few prizes when she was younger, in calf club. Her mother was a national winning cow.
“It will be sad to see her go, I’d still like to come and visit,” Sally says with a tear.
Daina says Chyna is the best pet she has ever had. “She’s kept me company, listened to my problems and kept me warm at night when I’ve watched the stars. She knows my voice and will happily follow you anywhere if you have food. I love her beautiful face and friendly eyes.”
Get in touch with Sally if you are interested in making a large addition to your family. Sallyesteem@hotmail.com
