Sure, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but what about a young cow, a calf to be exact? When couple Coral and Wayne Algie took in a calf on their New Italy, New South Wales farm, little did they know that they were actually adopting a new pup.

A New South Wales family rescues a calf

The calf, named Buddy was rescued by the couple after he was found all alone. After taking him back to their cattle farm, the couple’s German shepherd, Bada, took on the calf as a new member of her most recent litter of pups, which contained 11 real German shepherd puppies.

“Bada has really taken Buddy on as puppy number 12,” Coral said.

Buddy has become a part of the family

For his part, the six-week-old bull calf has learned a variety of dog tricks during his time with the pack, including wagging his tail, chasing his doggie brothers and sisters around, and snuggling up with them for a nap. The calf doesn’t see himself as one of the other calves on the farm.

“I think he sees himself as posher than them,” Coral said. “He looks across at them in the paddock but he’s up on the back veranda enjoying all the comfort. He’s very content to hang with the humans and the dogs.”

Buddy was quickly accepted by the family’s German shepherds

Bada, the German shepherd mom that she is, has grown quite fond of the calf. She likes to groom him during the day and Buddy seems to like the attention in return. When Buddy goes out to play, Badda is constantly by his side looking out for him as a real mom.

Coral’s children also have accepted Buddy as a part of the family

Coral’s two children, Bella and Lawson, have also grown quite fond of the calf, according to their mom. ‘Buddy runs beside the kids when they’re on their bikes outside and he plays chase with Bella,’ Coral said.

Buddy will only continue to grow as he gets older

Part of the problem with having Buddy as a pet instead of a farm animal is his large size, and he will only get bigger with time. Fortunately, the family has been able to keep Buddy confined to the outside of the house where he sleeps on the verandah.

Another big issue with the calf is feeding him. He has quite the appetite, according to Coral, drinking more than 10 pints of milk each day. While only around 85 pounds now, Buddy will eventually weigh in at over 1,300 pounds. Fortunately, for Buddy, his family is determined to stick with his role as pet for life.

“But he will always be our pet bull, that’s for sure – no matter how big he gets,” Coral said. “He won’t be destined for the abattoir (slaughterhouse) – he will always be our big buddy.”

Here is a video of Buddy with his human and dog family.

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Source: Caters Clips

H/T: Metro