Herd the story about the cow?




TONGUE-TIED—Bossy the cow was in danger of losing her care, until others stepped in.

TONGUE-TIED—Bossy the cow was in danger of losing her care, until others stepped in.

Moo-ve over, Rover, there’s a new favorite pet in town.

Bossy, a 3-year-old pet Holstein heifer that was destined for the auction block, has found new digs in Agoura.

The animal was in need of a new home in late May, and a local rancher and a community of neighbors came together to save the cow.

It started when Agoura rancher Marie Sebastien-Tavitian saw a Facebook post about a cow that needed a new home. The animal’s owner in Castaic had lost his job and could no longer afford to keep Bossy, which he’d had since she was a calf.

Sebastien-Tavitian turned to online social network Nextdoor.com to see if anyone in the area could help.

At first neighbors suggested farm sanctuaries or offered to supply feed for the owner, but neither of those options were feasible.

But Sebastien Tavitian was encouraged by the flood of responses and decided she would take the cow in.

“The Nextdoor post created such enthusiasm,” she said. “I was amazed by how the neighborhood pulled together with suggestions, ideas, support, kindness and generosity. It developed into something that I never expected.”

Bossy’s former owner delivered the cow to the ranch in Agoura on May 23, the day before she would have had to go to auction.

“It was his baby and he very much cared about the cow, but his economic situation didn’t allow him to (keep her),” said Sebastien-Tavitian, who owns several rescued horses and burros.

Because she wasn’t sure she could afford the expense of a 1,500-pound heifer, Sebastien- Tavitian created a crowdfunding campaign to collect money for Bossy’s feed and upkeep, an estimated $300 to $500 per month. Support for the cause came quickly.

“Everyone who said they would help actually came through and did. In 18 hours I had $495,” she said.

Bossy, who as a calf had been severely injured when she was attacked by a dog, “loves to get her head rubbed and will give you a lick at every opportunity,” Sebastien Tavitian said. “ She’s basically a gigantic pet.”

The neighborhood’s new mascot mooed loudly last week as a group of women discussed the fate of the animal near her corral in the rural Chesebro equestrian community.

“It takes a village to take care of a cow, and those of us who have cow-envy because we don’t have the property can help,” said Calabasas resident Tina Leeney, one of the first people to offer assistance after she saw the listing on Nextdoor.

“It’s great that everyone stepped up and came together to help Bossy find a safe home,” said Jena Markey, another Calabasas resident. “She makes people happy. I think cows are super sweet. I just wanted her to be rescued and not end up as someone’s meal.”

Sebastien-Tavitian and her husband, Martin Tavitian, are growing fond of Bossy.

She hasn’t had a calf so she doesn’t produce milk. Because cows are social, her new owners plan to bring a burro or a horse into her corral for company.

Whether the cow will stay at the ranch in the long term or be transferred to a sanctuary is still undecided.

“Unless I come up with an amazing place for her I think she’s better off with me,” said Sebastien-Tavitian. “The problem is the cost of feeding her. If I can get support until at least July, I’m pretty sure I can keep her.” To contribute to Bossy’s upkeep, visit www.gofundme.com/help-foster-bossy-the-cow.


SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers

A NOSE FOR NEWS—Thankfully, Bossy had friends in high places. She’s doing much better now.

A NOSE FOR NEWS—Thankfully, Bossy had friends in high places. She’s doing much better now.

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