Dogs exemplify compassion and love, often showcasing their caring nature towards other animals in extraordinary ways. One heartwarming tale revolves around a Labrador Retriever named Bosko, who played a pivotal role in rescuing a critically ill baby calf and remained devoted to him throughout the recovery process.
The story, shared by a Reddit user known as Oakenboken, unfolds as Bosko, a pet yellow lab, discovered a nearly lifeless baby calf in their feedlot, succumbing to hypothermia. The calf’s mother was too weak to attend to him, and the harsh cold had almost claimed his life.
Describing the dire situation, the Reddit poster shared, “His nose was frozen stiff, and his eyes looked dead, but he was breathing… if barely.” In a collective effort, the family intervened, bringing the calf indoors and providing warmth with blankets, heating pads, and administering antibiotics to combat the effects of the cold.
As the hours passed, a promising sign emerged — the baby cow began to move, and his breathing gradually normalized. When Bosko eventually sought some rest, the family’s other dog, Duke, stepped in, assuming the role of a vigilant companion through the night.
Over time, the calf, named Zeke, showed continuous improvement. By the third day, he was up and about, eating without any complications. Following a period of bottle feeding, Zeke regained enough strength to rejoin the company of the other cows.
Despite being slightly smaller than usual after his health ordeal, Zeke was in robust health and earned a reputation as “one of the friendliest cows you’ll find.” The Reddit poster reassured readers that Zeke wouldn’t be used for consumption; instead, he had become a cherished mascot and a companion to one of their bulls.
Reflecting on Bosko’s role in the rescue, the owner mentioned that Bosko himself was a rescue case. “He was a [rescue] case himself,” wrote u/Oakenboken. “Showed up near our front gate a few years back with his brother, Duke. Both were skin and bones, full of worms, and had chewed-up ropes around their necks. We took ’em in and got ’em fixed up and back to good health. Now, they’re the co-kings of the castle.”
In this tale of resilience and companionship, Zeke’s survival owes much to the compassionate dog, Bosko, who, having been a rescue himself, seemed to be paying forward the kindness he received to another animal in need.