Delaware boy showcases his calf at Delaware State Fair
HARRINGTON, Del. – Jack Cunningham and his 5-month-old calf named Thorn Meslie took part at this year’s Delaware State Fair.
For the past few months the two have prepared to compete at the Delaware State Fair for best in show.
“I love her so much because cows weren’t my favorite before, but now I am growing to like them because she’s like perfect she’s awesome!” said Jack.
11-year-old Jack Cunningham feeds and washes Meslie and sometimes they will even go on walks together. He has trained Meslie at a farm while learning about agriculture as part of the Delaware 4-H program.
“I’ve just been down there once or twice a week for like four to like six hours down there working with her, watering and feeding her just training her,” said Jack.
“They’re learning to be punctual to take care of whatever project they’d be working on be it photography or some animal type,” said the Delaware State Fair Livestock Chairman, Bob Moore.
Jack says raising a calf is not as easy as it looks.
“When she was younger, she was fed on a bottle, so she would suck on everything,” said Jack, “So, my fingers, my pants, my kneecaps, my shoes.”
His dad says they will spend hours together and they have even created a special bond.
“Early mornings, late nights, a lot of physical hard work, so he’s getting a better understanding of what it means to work in agriculture, what it means to take care of large animals,” said Brian Cunningham.
“So, I think there’s definitely appreciation and he’s definitely grown as a person,” said Brian.
“She knows that she can actually sense it like a storms coming so she’ll get like spunky and rowdy when that happens,” said Jack.
And although Jack says he cannot be with Meslie forever, he will never forget the love they have shared for each other.
“I would love if she could stay a calf like forever,” said Jack, “But, she can’t she has to grow up.”
Jack says that his ultimate goal is to be a vet. Brian says that Jack is also taking care of pets like guinea pigs and lizards at home.
