After living on a cattle ranch for 30-plus years, Ree Drummond knows to expect the unexpected. There are tough moments, like having no running water during a winter storm and rescuing calves born amid that chaos. And then there are the funny, lighthearted moments like horses going on walks with their favorite humans and dogs hitching rides.
You may have seen one of the lighter moments recently on Ree’s Instagram Stories, involving Bessie Lou, one of the rescued calves. If you missed it, get ready for a chuckle! Bessie Lou has been making remarkable progress, growing stronger every day and now living in a pen near the house. So strong, in fact, that she recently escaped…
“Bessie Lou figured out how to get through the fence and into our yard,” Ree explains. Hi mom! But also, help mom? Because, along with the curious calf, were all the ranch dogs, looking mighty confused why a cow might be on the porch. “The dogs didn’t appreciate it,” Ree says. It is their turf, after all. That’s where the puppers have their beds and relax.
If you’re wondering just what made Bessie Lou want to escape and come visit humans, there are a few theories. For one thing, Ree and Ladd did let her run around to get exercise and explore when she was first growing strong, so she was familiar with the porch. And since Ree was the one who bottle-fed her, she’s probably quite attached! Ree has another theory:
“She heard it was Sunday lunch,” Ree says. Hey, that’s one smart calf. She knows that “mom” is The Pioneer Woman, known for her craveable comfort food. Do you blame Bessie Lou for escaping for a snack? No word on what Ree was making or if the mischevious calf got a taste, but she eventually was moo-ved back to the pen.
Hopefully, this isn’t the last update Ree shares on Bessie Lou! Maybe she’ll visit again? The dogs, meanwhile, are probably quite content to have the porch back to themselves… for now. 😂
