We went up to say goodbye to the animals in the special, enclosed part of Queen's Park in our city of New Westminster. The tenacious goats will adapt to whatever situation prevails upon them. The chickens, pigs, rabbits, and peafowl will prosper. As the borrowed animals head back to their winter homes, the creatures will adapt to the new normal.
I'm worried about the cow, or more accurately, the heifer.
It was young, indeed, when it arrived in the spring. Newly seperated from its mother, I suspect, the furry bovine grew used to the attention of thousands of screaming kids. It endured endless hours of brushing and having hay poked at its face. It grew stronger in the public environment of the petting zoo.
From next Tuesday, it will join a farm and an existing herd. I bet it will wonder why nobody seems to be around. I know it may be hard giving up being the center of attention. Believe me, I have experiencd that. I was a teacher for thirty-three years and I retired five years ago!