Just like people, many animals are vulnerable to the dangers of cold weather, including the risks of hypothermia and frostbite. That’s why it’s heartwarming when people go the extra mile to keep them warm. One farmer in particular came up with a surprising and creative way to save a freezing baby cow.
Dean Gangwer, who farms in Rossville, Indiana, discovered an unexpected addition to his farm on a chilly morning in 2015. Unbeknownst to him, one of his cows had given birth during the night, and the newborn calf was left lying on a mound of snow, dangerously cold.
Seeing the calf struggling to breathe, Dean quickly acted to save its life. He rushed the calf back to his house and, using his knowledge of cattle, decided the little one needed a warm bath. Luckily, Dean had just the right solution: his hot tub, which was the perfect size for the calf.
As unconventional as it sounds, the plan worked perfectly. Dean, fully clothed, got into the hot tub with the calf, holding him up to prevent drowning. “Leroy and I had a wonderful bath for an hour,” Dean told WRTV. “We both came out warm, and I think the end story’s going to be great for him.”
After the hot tub session, Dean wrapped the calf, whom he named Leroy, in warm blankets. Once Leroy’s body temperature stabilized, he was ready to rejoin the herd.
Though sharing his hot tub with the calf was a quick-thinking decision that saved the little cow, Dean says it’s not something he plans to make a habit of. “Leroy has concluded his hot-tubbing,” he said. “His days in the hot tub are definitely over, but he may still sunbathe occasionally in the grass in the future.”
