4-H breeding project raises love

THOMPSON FALLS -- Many say that a dog is a man’s best friend, but this is not always the case. Riley Riffle, 11, happens to hold true to a cow as a man’s best friend.

From Pixie’s birth, Riley and his heifer have created a bond that is uncharacteristic of that between man and cow. Prancing through the fields, Pixie follows Riley wherever he seems to go, stopping to nuzzle and lean into him.

“I don’t even need to lead rope, she follows me everywhere,” Riley said. 

Elizabeth Riffle, Riley’s mom and organizing leader for Thompson Falls 4-H Club, said that it only took Riley about a week to break Pixie in.

“She wanted his attention and followed him,” Elizabeth said. “It didn’t take long at all.”

Although this is Riley’s fourth year participating in 4-H, it is his first year with a breeding project. He is excited to show off his cow to the rest of the county and plans to continue doing so for years to come.

“I’m glad that I get to show her and other people get to know this little cow,” Riley said with a smile, explaining that Pixie was a gift from his grandfather.

Pixie is the only dairy cow entered into the fair, although Elizabeth said that she does not know if any will be entered through open class. 

Pixie will be judged on appearance and how well she handles, said Riley, explaining in detail the stances he must place her in during the showing. But Riley is not the least bit worried about his three-year-old Jersey cow and her handling.

“She handles pretty good for me,” Riley said. Which is easy to see in the way Pixie strives to get Riley’s attention, following him with her nose in the air. 

Although there is definitely a strong love present between the two, Riley said that it hasn’t always been easy. 

“She broke my toe and has given me a bloody nose,” said Riley. But even with the accidental injuries, Riley enjoys his time with Pixie.

“She’s not shy, she’s stubborn but loving. She can be a pain but she’s love,” said Riley, taking off to chase Pixie who is headed straight for his grandparents’ garden. 

His favorite part of having Pixie as a companion is that she “does not talk back” and she is comforting.

Living in Plains, Riley is at his grandparents’ farm five times a week to take care of Pixie.  Riley said that he often times goes out and sits with his heifer -- brushes her, feeds and waters her daily, and even sleeps with her on occasion in the barn.

Elizabeth said that after Pixie was born, there were incidents of finding Riley sleeping next to his calf, with her neck craned around him, protecting him while Riley slept. 

Elizabeth has enjoyed watching Pixie and Riley grow together.

“I love watching him succeed in something. He loves his animals and he’s been great,” Elizabeth said.

“He has been around her since two minutes old. Most of the food comes from him and he was the first person (Pixie) saw,” said Elizabeth. “The two are quite the pair.”