By Jayme H. Mansfield @ JaymeMansfield

When you ask how you can be of help at the ranch, one never knows what mission you may be assigned! After spotting this lone little guy for a few days in the meadow and then tucked in willows along the river, it was clear he'd been bumped off his mama.

For close to an hour, James and I attempted to catch the calf -- alternating on foot and driving the pickup through the soggy meadow. With a too-long and too-flimsy rope, and no horse, the calf had us running in circles and chasing him in tangled thickets along the muddy riverbank. Clearly, he had outwitted and outmaneuvered the humans. I'm pretty sure James and I looked like rodeo clowns!

Just when it was nearly "mission failed", Millie, the Undercover Cow Dog, could no longer watch her pathetic owners concede defeat.

In a blink of an eye, she sacrificed herself with a zap from the Invisible Fence and ran like lightning into the meadow -- circling and herding the calf like a pro (impressive for a cuddly, tennis ball-obsessed Golden Retriever).

With the calf distracted (and most likely a bit confused by this new "furry friend"), I was finally able to lunge from behind and loop the rope around the little guy's neck. James got him down and we hog-tied the calf in a most unconventional manner -- hey, two hooves work just as good as three!

With gentle pets and lots of sweet talk, off to the barn the calf went on the pickup tailgate. With plenty of love and bottles of milk, he's going to be okay. Turns out he was most likely a twin. Ah, so much to learn, appreciate, and be thankful for ranch life.

About the author:

Jayme H. Mansfield is an artist, author, speaker, and educator. Having lived in Colorado for the majority of her life and running her long-time art studio, Piggy Toes, Jayme now leads dedicated writing and art retreats (along with horses, of course!) on the Wyoming ranch where she and her husband live. Her favorite journey is pursuing her dreams, finding adventure, and passionately painting and writing with an ever-present artistic flair.

Her award-winning books, Chasing the Butterfly, RUSH, Seasoned, and Portrait of Deceit, are book club favorites, with genres spanning historical, contemporary, and literary suspense. Each of her stories reveal the transformational power of art and faith. As always, Jayme's writing is filled with vivid imagery that stirs the human heart and gifts the reader an abundance of hope and joy. Admittedly, she is a "happy-ending" author as the world needs a great deal more of that.

She loves to connect with art and book lovers! Visit her at www.jaymehmansfield.com for soon-to-be released books, stunning original artwork, and her inspirational and witty newsletter! You can also connect with her on her private FB group, The Painterly Life, for creative encouragement and community.

Visit www.jaymehmansfield.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JaymeHMansfieldAuthor/

Instagram @JaymeMansfield