This is Suka and he is around 13 years old. His mother was one of the first calves we rescued, who has passed away now. When he was young he was very fiesty but has calmed down a lot in older age. He is handsome with big wide eyes and I remember seeing him when first born and what struck me is how big and clear his eyes were. He is very gentle and affectionate now and loves to lick. For some years now he has had arthritis in his back legs which we are having some success in treating or holding at bay using natural remedies. Although at times he struggles a bit to get around, his courage and determination is unswerving. He takes all in his stride and is a great model for perseverance.

Next we have Dasi, she is Shuka's sister with a different father. Once when their mother was in season she got out on to a road but a kind person found her and let her through the nearest gate to a field where there just happened to be a bull. Dasi was the result. She is around 11 years old and can be a bit feisty with other cows. She prefers the company of boys. She is peaceful generally by nature and self contained. We have tried on occasion to get her in calf with no success.

This is Lakshmi. We bought her over 3 years ago when she was in calf. She is the lady of the herd, very laid back, gentle  and does all in her own time. She loves a cuddle and a stroke especially when she is laying down. She loves her face rubbed and under her chin. Her calf's name is Baladeva and he is over 3 years old now. Lakshmi is still milking although her calf is weaned. She is a real mother and lady.

This is Sachi Maa. She is the grand mother of the herd at 23 years old and still milking, although I have done all I can to stop her but she wants to. She came here over 3 years ago and we got her the same time as Laxmi. She was given to us by a farmer and had milked all her life and produced a calf every year. She is a walking miracle, as many cows in the modern dairy system are lucky to get past 10 years old as they become worn out by the pressure put on them. It is an honour to care for her. When she first came, she was very thin and afraid and couldn't be touched. She has changed a lot since, she loves a cuddle and a stroke now and digestive biscuits are her favourite treat (she can hear the rustle of a packet from a great distance). She is very quiet, peaceful and unassuming. When she wants to, she can move amazingly fast for her age. She also has grey eye lashes which are very endearing.

Next is Baladeva. He is Lakshmi's son and is over 3 years old. He has become the leader of the herd, a beautiful natured but also cheeky and naughty lad. He gently likes to let you know what his horns are for. He loves a fuss and a stroke and again is very fond of digestive biscuits. He is very good at breaking into the cows treat store and will think nothing of eating 25 kgs of sugar beet pellets if he gets the chance. Even though they are kept in a bin with a lid, he knows how to prize it open with his horns. He loves his mum and she loves him. Both Lakshmi and Sachi Maa brought him up together so he had the affection of two mothers. He also has a consort called Surabhi and she is never far from him. As with all the girls and boys they are an honor to be around.

This is Jaganath and he is around 7 years old. He has been with us for 4 years. A girl saved him as a calf and reared him but when she left home, her mother couldn't care for him and he found his way here. I call him Mr Bear and he is adorable. We play a game where I go to stroke him and he takes off with me holding him and trying to stop him. He is soft and gentle by nature and loves as much fuss as possible. He is quite fussy if something isn't exactly as he likes it and he turns his nose up and sulks.

This is Surabhi. She is about 5 and has been with us for over 2 years. She was brought to us by a lady who had become very good friends with her and three other cows during her ill health. When she found out they were due to go for slaughter, she tried all she could to raise the money to buy them all, unfortunately  she only succeeded in saving one. Surabhi is wonderful, very curious and inquisitive and has a very gentle temperament although she has a slightly wild side to her. She is always on the look out for any treats going. She loves to be stroked and she also gives beautiful little kisses and gentle licks.

This is Nandi who is no longer with us. He passed away 3 years ago. We rescued him as a young calf and reared him although we didn't know quite how large he would become. He weighed about 1,300 kgs and stood over 6 feet at the shoulder. He was a gentle giant who loved a fuss and didn't have a bad bone in his body. He would wait at the gate for someone to come through and stroke him. He was a loner with the other cows and preferred human company. He was very sensitive, once I told him off and he stood under a tree for a whole day in a sulk. Many people have his photo as they couldn't believe how big yet totally gentle and approachable he was. We still miss him terribly, but hope he has gone to pastures greener. There are still so many just like him waiting to be given a loving caring home.