Note: Today's entry comes from longtime MODA member and oxen ambassador Jim Whelan.
Most of you have read or written a story of an ox having to be put down due to age or an illness causing the writer to think and write of the times the drover and the ox had together. And I can assume that most of the readers are assuming that this is the reason for this blog. Percy and Carter have made a few contributions to the MODA blog but this time the blog is being written by and about their owner Jim Whelan.
No, this blog is not about the demise of Chub, Jerry. Percy or Carter (whew!!!). It is a few thoughts about me, the ox drover. No, I am not writing this from the hereafter (another whew). It is about my feelings as I determined that it was my time to retire from ox droving.
I am 76 and my wife is a little younger. I wanted to think that I was still 36 and attempted to keep a lifestyle that reflected that age. Unfortunately, my real body looked at it in reality and as time progressed my doctor and specialists visits reflected my real age. My medicine cabinet kept filling up with drugs I could not pronounce or did not understand what ailment they were supposed to cure or lessen the effects on my body.
As I have most of my life I tried to accomplish tasks that seemed hard or impossible for most. This was my attitude toward my oxen. It wasn’t long before my brain started catching up with me and kept telling my body “what are you trying to do”. And I suppose I will always remember the ox drover who told me “it just didn’t seem right for my wife to have to go out in the freezing cold to tend to the ox since I didn’t feel up to doing it” Some of you will remember the drover I quoted in that sentence, I know I will because the reality of this sentence came back to me.
I should have recognized this two, maybe four years ago but my mind was in denial. It started slowly but looking back I can see where it became hard to keep up with Percy and Carter and I had to whoa them while my body rested. The stops kept getting more frequent as time went on. As I look back I honestly believe that Percy and Carter recognized this and took advantage of this weakness whenever possible. When others would drive them they moved and responded to commands like they used to for me.
I honestly believe God sent me this young man who would be the new owner of all four oxen. He sent him to me at one of our demonstrations. The young man demonstrated a real interest in oxen and we maintained contact through time. I had visited his farm, met his family and was really impressed by his interest in oxen.
When the time came I asked him if he would be willing to take all four oxen and his immediate answer was “yes”. He has worked wonders with them and I have watched their performance at one of their festival appearances. I am certain his farm was the place for the oxen.
As I look back I should have recognized my limitations many, many years ago. It would have been better for the oxen and for me. My advice to all drovers be prepared for “when the time comes” and don’t maintain a tough attitude. This time will inevitably come without any reservations. I certainly experienced many good times these past years but I regret that Percy and Carter did not have the option of having a capable drover to work them on a regular basis.
DO I MISS THEM?? Hell yes. Almost every morning when I wake up I look out to their pasture and remember them. Nancy and have sold the farm and are moving to the city in Northwest Indiana closer to family. So starts another phase in our lives.
JIM WHELAN
