American Children Become a Mother Cow to Calf Born Amid Extreme Cold: "So Adorable"

Brought Home to Escape Frostbite
Cared for by Children and Napped Together

A scene of a newborn calf, born amid a severe cold snap in the United States, being cared for inside a home and spending time with children has drawn widespread attention.

Newborn calf Sally and children are taking a nap on the sofa. Photo by The Washington Post

On January 31 (local time), international media outlets such as CNN and The Washington Post reported on the heartwarming moments between a calf and children in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, USA.

Tanner Sorrell, who runs a farm in the area, went out on January 24 to check on a cow that was about to give birth in the falling snow, only to discover that the calf had already been born.

Newborn calves have limited ability to regulate their body temperature and need their mothers to lick them clean and help keep them warm. However, in the extreme cold, the mother cow was unable to do her part. Sorrell watched for about 40 minutes to see if the mother would care for the calf, but as she continued to struggle-and recalling that he had lost a calf to frostbite the previous winter-he ultimately decided to bring the calf inside for care. He brought the calf home, carefully dried its ice-matted fur with a hair dryer, and personally fed it colostrum, tending to it with great care.

A farmer is bringing a newborn calf home and feeding it colostrum. Photo by WKYT, a local media outlet in Kentucky, USA.

His children also welcomed the calf. His three-year-old son Gregory named the calf "Sally" after a character from his favorite movie "Cars." His two-year-old daughter Charlie sang "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" to Sally and showered her with kisses, sharing warmth and affection.

After spending a joyful time together, the children and Sally the calf curled up and fell asleep on the sofa. Their mother, Macy, discovered the scene, took a photo, and shared it on social media, making the image of the children and the calf napping together go viral.

Sorrell reported that Sally was safely reunited with her mother the next morning and is doing well. The Sorrells said, "Animals are family to us. They are no different from people," adding, "We will always bring them into our home and do whatever we can for them." While many animals raised on the farm are eventually sold, the Sorrells said Sally will remain with them, noting, "We have already ordered a name tag for Sally."