Uploaded September 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
13-year-old Ruthie was the oldest cow in Israel, thanks to the love of one worker, who vowed to protect her from slaughter when she won his heart.
Over the years and because of her high milk production, the worker managed to convince the farm owners to spare Ruthie from slaughter, year after year, despite the fact that dairy cows are usually sent to slaughter around the age of 5.
When she turned 13, and after 11 births where her babies were taken from her, the worker noticed that Ruthie was limping, and estimated that she would not survive another pregnancy, which took place on a yearly basis.
After convincing the farm owners to release Ruthie to a sanctuary instead of sending her to slaughter, Ruthie was dried out of milk and sent to @FreedomFarmSanctuary!
There, she met Tamar, and the 2 instantly fell in love. Ruthie treated Tamar like her own, and Tamar began to try to nurse Ruthie. However, Ruthie was already dried up and did not have a recent pregnancy to be able to lactate for Tamar.
Despite this, another miracle happened and Ruthie began lactating due to what appears to be high maternal emotions directed at Tamar. In her mind, Tamar is her own, and her body soon followed and began producing milk without a pregnancy. A very rare but possible phenomenon!
To this day, the two live happily together at the sanctuary, and Ruthie is receiving the best veterinary care possible to ensure she will have many more years with her adopted daughter.
You can follow Ruthie & Tamar on Freedom Farm Sanctuary's Facebook page: facebook.com/FreedomFarmIsrael
Freedom Farm Sanctuary's website:
https://www.freedom-farm.org.il/en/
13-year-old Ruthie was the oldest cow in Israel, thanks to the love of one worker, who vowed to protect her from slaughter when she won his heart.
Over the years and because of her high milk production, the worker managed to convince the farm owners to spare Ruthie from slaughter, year after year, despite the fact that dairy cows are usually sent to slaughter around the age of 5.
When she turned 13, and after 11 births where her babies were taken from her, the worker noticed that Ruthie was limping, and estimated that she would not survive another pregnancy, which took place on a yearly basis.
After convincing the farm owners to release Ruthie to a sanctuary instead of sending her to slaughter, Ruthie was dried out of milk and sent to @FreedomFarmSanctuary!
There, she met Tamar, and the 2 instantly fell in love. Ruthie treated Tamar like her own, and Tamar began to try to nurse Ruthie. However, Ruthie was already dried up and did not have a recent pregnancy to be able to lactate for Tamar.
Despite this, another miracle happened and Ruthie began lactating due to what appears to be high maternal emotions directed at Tamar. In her mind, Tamar is her own, and her body soon followed and began producing milk without a pregnancy. A very rare but possible phenomenon!
To this day, the two live happily together at the sanctuary, and Ruthie is receiving the best veterinary care possible to ensure she will have many more years with her adopted daughter.
You can follow Ruthie & Tamar on Freedom Farm Sanctuary's Facebook page: facebook.com/FreedomFarmIsrael
Freedom Farm Sanctuary's website:
https://www.freedom-farm.org.il/en/
