Ah, Ukraine, the land of milk and cows, and unfortunately, war. In one village, Oleksandro-Shultyne, things got heated when the bombs began dropping like rain. Houses were blown up, bricks and debris scattered all around. It was pure chaos. But, amidst all this chaos, there was one animal who suffered from the shrapnel wounds – a cow!
Now, don’t get me wrong, cows are highly regarded in Ukrainian culture. They’re considered almost a part of the family, religious celebrations are incomplete without them, and their milk provides income. Not to forget the trauma of the Holodomor. So it was no surprise that the medics on site took the cow under their wing, made sure every piece of shrapnel was removed, and gave her painkillers to help with the pain. The cherry on top? Her name – Buryonka, or Brownie.
Look, I get it – people have this thing called a cow fetish. They’re good milk producers and all, but would you risk life and limb for them? That’s precisely the thing that’s happening here. In frontier villages in Ukraine, where most people have fled due to the ongoing war, some residents have chosen to stick around just to take care of their dairy cows. Cow lovers, am I right?
One woman even mentioned that leaving behind her three cows made her cry! Not gonna lie, that seems a bit silly to me, but oh well. I suppose it’s the little things in life that we hold closest to our hearts. In the case of this woman, even more so than her own safety.
But let’s talk more about Buryonka. After two days of the worst cow life ever, she finally stood up, but was still weak as a newborn kitten. However, the medics who saved her were also looking after wounded soldiers, so they figured why not add some cows to the mix? Five of them, in fact, including Buryonka, to keep them company. With the cows safely in their care, many families were able to evacuate, knowing that their beloved livestock was in good hands.
Even if they have lost everything, people will value their animals. Zina Richkova can attest to this. In her house, she keeps three hens and one rooster (yes, just like the nursery rhyme). After her barn was destroyed in the shelling, she moved her feathered friends into her kitchen. She says it gives her someone to talk to!
What a heartwarming story, folks – proof that in the worst of times, it’s the little things we hold dear. In Ukraine, it’s cows, hens, and roosters. Who knows what it is for the rest of us?
Serious News: nytimes
