The first time Myrna Loy went to a keg party during young adulthood, it was for the celebration of a 21-year-old cow’s birthday.
Now 77, Loy, of La Center, is celebrating the final months of a cow even older than that. Her name is La Wheezie Jefferson, or La Wheezie for short, and she’s 22. Perhaps more incredible than the cow’s age, though, is the fact that this summer, she gave birth to twins. Loy named the two male calves Earl and Durl.
The dedicated beef farmer’s first-ever heifer won Reserve Champion in 4-H.During Loy’s youth, her grandfather instilled in her the idea that raising animals was a responsibility requiring time and attention. If Loy neglected the heifer, he said, he’d take her away.
Decades later, Loy still abides by that rule. On the outside, La Wheezie the 22-year-old cow appears as fit as her descendants from the last few years: Lollipop, Richard, Tootsie Roll and the twins. Sadly, age has taken its toll on the inside. Because she’s lost her teeth, she’s set to be slaughtered in December. Until then, Loy will continue to spoil her beloved cow with alfalfa — La Wheezie’s favorite treat.
Cows are often slaughtered around age 5. If not, they don’t usually continue to breed past 9 or 10 years. But the bull named Reddy Red who comes by to breed Loy’s other cows was unbothered by his mate’s maturity.
Already, her age makes giving birth impressive. La Wheezie did it twice. In her lifetime of bovine care, Loy said, she’s never seen a cow have twins. When Earl and Durl came into the world in June, Loy said, the process required the help of neighbors and experts.
At her age, Loy said, her herd is mostly a hobby. “It’s a reason to get up and do something every day,” she said.
With her long, deep connection to La Wheezie, she said, she’ll stay in the house during the slaughter.
The cow isn’t Loy’s first beloved old pet. In 2018, The Reflector reported on her 22-year-old duck, Mr. Turner. The magpie drake reached a possibly record-breaking age when he died about a year later.
Loy’s love and attention seems a likely contributor to the longevity of her animals. But nearby Fargher Lake being a fountain of animal youth shouldn’t be ruled out, either. Loy’s neighbor, Christy Gillette, has a Nigerian dwarf-alpine mutt of a goat named Chester. He’s 16, which is quite old.
Gillete said the old goat is scrappy.
“He’s a survivor,” Gillete said, later adding, “He’s a good goat. But he is definitely an odd goat.”
