From Issue #25, Fall 1995

Leilani's Pumpkin

by Pam Pickens (Evans City, PA)

One of our subscribers, Leilani White from Ft. Bragg, CA, wrote to us about her cow, Pumpkin Petunia, who's half Hereford, half Jersey and all charmer.

Pumpkin turned 8 years old in August and has already been a mom 5 times over. This year she gave birth to a bull named Rocky and even adopted two more who were rejected by their mothers. Leilani tells us all the kids get along great.

Pumpkin was an orphan herself shortly after birth and was bottle fed by Leilani and her dad. She repays the White family by providing lots of milk for them and their friends who enjoy Pumpkin butter, Pumpkin cheese, Pumpkin ice cream and well, you get the idea.

By all accounts Pumpkin is a much-loved and much-spoiled young lady. However, all that attention has not gone to her head. Leilani reports that Pumpkin has quite a sense of humor and loves to get all gussied up for her fans. Among the many costumes Pumpkin has MOOdeled her favorite surely has to be the sesame seed buns bedecking each side of her beefy girth (and yes, fries do come with that). Or maybe it's the halo and angel wings. Or maybe the Easter bunny ears. Okay, okay, sunglasses and Dolly Parton wig. No? How about the ballerina tutu or western saddle. No, that sounds a little too kinky for even a Hereford. No, to be properly "outfitted" for the coming season Pumpkin is arrayed in a holly and berry wreath and twinkle lights.

Wanna see for yourself? If so, you're in luck. Leilani sent us pictures of Pumpkin in these and many other costumes. She's made the pictures into cards (with envelopes) and they sell for $2.00 each plus $.32 for postage, or $.55 if you're buying two cards; or you may just want a whole set of 10 for $15.00 plus $2.00 shipping. They can be mixed and matched but the most popular are Pumpkin in her Christmas toggery. Leilani says she'd be glad to send photocopies to anyone who's interested in seeing what's available. We're delighted to include Pumpkin's pics in next year's Cow-Buying Guide, but in the meantime if you want Pumpkin on your holiday cards send a SASE to Leilani White at:

Cow Cards
P.O. Box 1852
Ft. Bragg, CA 95437-1852.