Our newspapers, radio satations and television stations paint a picture of despair everyday. Joblessness, failed housing markets, crime, weather disasters and most recent oil well leaking threatening our coast. Yet every day God's blessings far outweigh the bad events, giving us hope.

I recently received a blessing I would like to share with you. My pet cow, "Calico," was due to have her second calf the last of April. I asked the good Lord for a bull calf this time and was so certain of it that I called the unborn calf, "Taco."

On May 3rd my husband, David came to the house excited to tell me that Calico's labor began about 8 a.m. We were both very excited. Calico labored all day only to muster two front hoofs and a tongue. I felt encouraged reading my scripture for the day from Romans 15:13 which says, "Now the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing."

We decided it was time to take Calico to the vet. Two friends arrived and an exhausted Calico was loaded into the stock trailer. A call was made to the San Saba Animal Hospital and Dr. Charles Key, a long time San Saba resident, would meet us there. There was fear among my husband and his two friends that the calf wouldn't survive. I knew better though! I knew God would allow Taco to be born and in good health. Dr. Key arrived shortly and immediately ushered Calico into the squeeze chute. Charles worked quickly and with great skill preparing Calico for the birth of her calf. Living in town most of my life, I had never witnessed a calf being "pulled" before. It was interesting, something most people never get to see.

Chains were carefully placed on Taco's front legs and the come-a-long gently pulled him into this world. "Is it alive," someone asked. I saw Taco's side move and excitedly exclaimed, "Oh yes, he's alive!" Dr. Key milked Calico obtaining the rich colostrum needed the first hour after birth. Calico and Taco spent the night at the clinic at Dr. Keys request for observation.

The next morning we brought Calico and Taco home releasing them into the pasture. Several days later we checked on them to find Taco standing along side his mother. My eyes filled with tears of joy and a sense of pride. If not for God and Dr. Charles Key, I would have lost Taco. Most of us fail to realize how vital veterinarians are to us and the welfare of our pets.

I am enjoying watching Taco grow realizing how close I came to losing him. Have you thanked your veterinarian lately? I know I have!

Teresa, Calico, and Taco