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Velma

Velma was the beginning of the Cows in Hats series, and was Audrey's original inspiration.  Velma is a Hereford/Angus cross and came to the ranch in 2015.  From the start, there was something special about Velma - she's a kind lady who is very easy to be around. ​Velma is wearing a vintage ladies pheasant feather hat that belonged to Audrey's husband's late grandmother.

Velma

Patty

Patty was a favorite on the ranch; she was raised here and always had a kind disposition and loved people.  There are many fun stories with Pat - just ask Audrey about the barn story...

Patty is wearing a vintage ladies felt hat that belonged to Audrey's husband's late grandmother, and is one of the artist's favorite pieces.  Sadly, we lost Patty this spring; her old body didn't handle the rough winter we were given. Thankfully, she blessed us with a cute baby girl before she was gone. 

Patty

Shortie

Shortie gets her name from her cute short ears.  She was born during a snow storm, and despite the best of efforts, she lost the tips of her ears to frostbite.  Her short ears don't bother her, and they add to her unique personality.  Shortie is always looking for treats, hugs, and she loves attention. ​Shortie is wearing a vintage ladies hat that was purchased in a collection at a local auction.

Shortie

Mabel

Mabel was a beautiful Jersey/Holstein cross cow who was the perfect mother.  She would care for most orphan babies, as well as her own, and was a joy to be around.  Mabel sadly passed away in spring of 2022 after battling an infection.  Despite giving her the best care possible, our girl's poor aged body just couldn't go on, and she went peacefully. We miss our Mabel, and know there will never be another like her. Mabel is wearing a vintage ladies hat that belonged to Audrey's husband's late grandmother.

Mabel

Lulu

Lulu was born on the ranch, and has always been a gentle soul.  Her mother, Lucy, is also a favorite and will appear later in the series.  Lulu loves attention from her favorite people, and is usually first in line for scratches.  She has an ornery streak, so it's wise to watch your back side, as she'll let you know when she's not getting enough attention.​Lulu is wearing a floral fascinator that was part of a collection purchased at a local auction.

Lulu

Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae was a Jersey nurse cow who was a gift from Audrey's mom.  El'Mae, as she was fondly called, was full of personality and was usually first to meet you for treats.  She loved being brushed and was about as much dog as she was cow.  We sadly lost Ellie Mae to lightning when she was struck while grazing out in the pasture during a storm. It was a devastating loss, and she is dearly missed.  In this photo, Ellie Mae is wearing a vintage ladies hat that was part of a collection purchased at a local auction.

Ellie Mae

Pest

Pest is named in the most affectionate way possible. As she is highly motivated by food, Pest is almost always the first to the pickup for range cubes, or insists on rubbing on the hay bale during feedings.  She has definitely earned her name, but is the sweetest girl. Pest's nicknames are Pest-o-Mundo and Brown Cow.

​Pest is wearing a vintage ladies hat that was part of a collection purchased at a local auction.

Pest

B.V. 

B.V. stands for Baby Velma (sometimes originality escapes Audery when naming favorites). And yes, you guessed it, Velma is her mama.  B.V. is just as gentle and easy going as Velma, and though she isn't marked with the pretty white, she still looks like a carbon copy when they stand next to each other.  B.V. isn't very outgoing, and doesn't particularly care for strangers, but she knows her favorite person and (usually) comes when  called.  ​B.V. is wearing a vintage ladies hat that belonged to Audrey's husband's late grandmother.

Baby Velma

Toots

Toots got her name from her tag number 3222.  Since she is a favorite, and Audrey grew tired of calling her by her number, two-two-two quickly became Toots (like tootsie roll), and the name stuck.  Toots is as sweet as the candy, and her babies are as gentle as she is; her granddaughter "Freddie" is also a favorite, and will hopefully be featured in a hat in the near future. ​Toots is wearing a vintage ladies hat that belonged to Audrey's husband's grandmother.

Toots

Sylvie

Sylvie was raised on the ranch; her mom (tag number G3513) absolutely dislikes humans, so it was a big shock when Sylvie turned out so sweet.  She can be naughty when she isn't getting the attention she thinks she deserves, but she means well.  It was rather surprising that Sylvie was so willing to wear a hat; in fact, if it had not been removed, she may have just walked away with it on her head the morning this photo was taken.  Silly girl. ​Sylvie is wearing a vintage ladies hat that was purchased as part of a collection at a local auction.

Sylvie

Agnes

#3750 aka Agnes is an senior lady, who has always been a very gentle soul. It wasn't until the last couple of years that she really began to like people and being touched, but now that she knows that she can trust her person, she absolutely loves to get hugs and scratches.  Agnes graciously wore this lovely peach-colored vintage floral hat for a few photos, and will you just look at those eyebrows!? How could you not love that face. Agnes' hat is part of a collection found at an antique store.

Agnes

Tater

Tater is the cutest, sweetest little brown potato that ever did roam on the ranch.  Tater, aka "Tate" or "P'tato", has been with us since she was born, and has always been the most laid back girl.  Audrey has video of Tater napping so hard she's snoring; no care in the world.  Tate moves at her own pace, which is usually turtle gear, and is typically at the back of the herd and last through the gate.  She's a loving mama and a joy to have on the ranch. Tater's hat is part of a collection purchased at an antique store in Cheyenne, WY. 

Tater

Lucy

Despite her serious expression, Lucy is one of the sweetest girls in our herd.  She is a wonderful mother and is one of the favorite herd markers.  Lucy is mother to Lulu; it's where Lulu gets her kind disposition. We almost lost Lucy to illness one winter, but with extra love and care, she made a full recovery. That was seven years ago and she's still with us!  Lucy is wearing a vintage ladies hat that was purchased in a small lot of hats from a hometown friend.  

Lucy

Freddie

Freddie (aka Fred) was born on the ranch and is granddaughter to Toots. Fred has been gentle since she was a baby and it wasn't difficult to make friends as she got older.  Fred is almost always seen with her friend Ted (Teddie), and they both usually show up for treats and scratches together; where you see one, you almost always see the other.  Fred is wearing a vintage ladies hat that was purchased as a collection from an antique store in Cheyenne, Wyoming. 

Freddie

Jane Jr.

Jane Jr., fondly called Baby J, B.J., or Plain Jane... this gentle girl is granddaughter to our late Gertie, a beautiful Brown Swiss nurse cow.  Jane Jr. has been so sweet and friendly; she immediately learned to love pets as a calf, and hasn't outgrown her desire for affection from her human friends.  She is the first to come find me while out checking summer pastures, and she loves her neck scratched.  I can't wait to see where her future takes her! Jane Jr. is wearing a fun ladies pillbox hat of fuchsia feathers; it was a gift from a family member. 

Jane Jr.

Baby

You may recognize Baby from her photo on the red settee as a calf.  Baby is Patty's last offspring, and holds a very special place in my heart.  Baby is the only cow on the ranch who is halter trained, and she will even let me lay on her for snuggles while she's loafing.  Baby is truly one of a kind.  She's wearing a fun pink and white vintage ladies hat given as a gift from a family member. 

Baby

Mae

Mae (aka Silky Mae or Sassy Mae) came to us when we needed a nurse cow; she had been a 4H calf to a little girl who had called her Milky Way. I couldn't bring myself to call her the name of a candy bar, as she could be very salty at times, so she became Mae.  She was a great nurse cow and loved all of the babies! Mae was probably the most colorful girl on the ranch at the time and was fun to be around, though she could be somewhat naughty.  Mae has since gone to be with another family who needed a nurse cow for their herd, and it seems as though she is happy with her new home.  I'm happy I was able to capture this photo of Mae wearing a vintage hat from the Emelene collection. 

Mae
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