Adorable calf is too curious to resist examining the camera

Cows are naturally curious animals and they will often closely examine anything that is new in their surroundings. This is especially true of newborn calves. This beautiful little girl is only a few days old and the while world around her is a new experience.

Glenda was born on a warm, spring day in May on a beautiful farm near Millbrook, Ontario. She is part of a herd that wander freely over a vast stretch of farmland made up of meadows and pastures. They graze on rolling hills of lush, green grass. They have ponds full of clean water to drink and forest all around them. The farmers watch over them from their house up on the hill and they care for their animals more like they are pets than farm animals. The cows even enjoy the company of a large, friendly bull named Gus. He likes his head scratched and he will eat bread out of your hand like a big dog. The animals on this farm live life as close to what nature intended as possible.

Glenda is one of about 25 calves that were born on the farm this spring. The calves spend most of their days drinking milk from their mothers or exploring their surroundings under the watchful eyes of the herd. Cows seem to help look after the babies of other cows in the herd, as if babysitting for each other. The calves also run around like puppies, chasing each other and bouncing through the long grass. Watching newborn calves in a green meadow is a truly beautiful experience.

The debate over meat consumption continues and there are those who point out the merits of vegan or vegetarian lifestyles, especially when you stop to appreciate the beauty of these gentle creatures. But another option, for those who choose to eat meat, is to at least buy from ethical farms like this one. They refuse to produce veal and they feed and treat their animals properly. Farming in this manner is a little more costly, but the extra cost is well worth it to avoid cruelty and unfair conditions for the animals. Continually demanding lower prices will only force farmers to cut corners and reduce standards of care for the cows.