Arkansas Blog: Lyons on the hoof UPDATE

Columnist Gene Lyons, now a Perry County country squire, writes in the Democrat-Gazette today about his adoption of a deserted Charolais calf he's named Layla. I've been in on the story from the first and it's a good one for animal lovers and those with soft hearts.

And now, in what Drudge would call a !!!!!world exclusive!!!!!, the Arkansas Blog has photo of Gene, Layla and his wife, Diane.

UPDATE: Gene has a response to the early morning crowd.

FROM GENE LYONS

1.) My neighbor wasn't going to leave Layla to the coyotes. He was coming back to get her later. I'm sorry if I left that
impression. I volunteered to feed her because my time'smore flexible. He has two jobs.

2.) Of the cattlemen who helped me, one is as confirmed a Yellow Dog Democrat as they come. Another proposed we hold a barbecue on the day Bush leaves office. (OK, so he wanted to put Layla on the menu. He was teasing. Some other cow will have to pay the price. Layla won the lottery.) The cost of diesel, fertilizer and feed is KILLING people who raise livestock.

3.) As for white flight, our part of Perry County ain't all that white. One of the cattlemen who helped me is black. He showed up unbidden with a 50 lb sack of powdered milk formulated for calves, said he had no use for it this year, wouldn't accept payment.

4.) Like Swift, I have little use for human beings in general, but great affection for particular individuals. They don't include people who make anonymous calls or post nameless insults. To such persons, I send a very hearty "Up yours."

Comments

I sure is nice seeing Gene and Diane enjoying their country life. We miss them in Hillcrest.

Posted by: Tarr | August 6, 2008 07:21 AM

Layla, you've got me on my knees.

Posted by: Doc | August 6, 2008 08:06 AM

Best piece in the entire rag. I bet the ranchers ready to leave Layla to the coyotes are Republican

Posted by: UncleEarl | August 6, 2008 08:18 AM

As much as I despise Gene's smug hypocrisy and insufferable arrogance, I was moved by his Layla tale. Too bad his generous spirit does not often apply to human beings.

Posted by: Roym | August 6, 2008 08:32 AM

I guess the urge to white flight smites good liberals?

Posted by: Anonymous | August 6, 2008 08:36 AM

Yum. Goats make good BBQ.

Posted by: Nemo | August 6, 2008 09:29 AM

Yum. Young hamburger meat.

Speaking of Little Rock and the Ark Democrat-Gazette they get honorable mention at Iconoclast's report on the rebirth ceremony of the Confederate Solider on the Bentonville Square Friday. Sen McCain will be flying in. Obama will not attend.

Congrats Gene. I helped raise a lot of calves in my youth. Always hold the bottle well away from you.
.

Posted by: eLwood | August 6, 2008 10:28 AM

Great photo, great story. Thanks for printing it.

Posted by: ThermosDay | August 6, 2008 10:49 AM

Lady Layla. I'm in love with the little girl already. And Mr. Lyon, ifin' ever, and for whatever reason, you can't keep her at your place, she'd more than welcome on my little spot of ground.

Posted by: durangokid | August 6, 2008 10:57 AM

He looks a little like Gregory Peck in The Yearling.

Or maybe Eddie Albert in Green Acres.

Either way, a heartwarming tale. No doubt the locals are both enchanted and amused.

Posted by: 24fps | August 6, 2008 11:24 AM

A word of advice (I know you're dying to hear it): ban Miss Layla from the porch right now. Never had a calf around that close but did have a horse who nearly got shot one pleasant spring night when I was alone and decided to let him graze in the yard overnight. Sometime in the wee hours, he decided to scratch his nose on my bedroom window screen. He survived and I got over my scare, but the screen didn't make it.

Posted by: Doigotta | August 6, 2008 07:07 PM

This is the reason why conservatives consider liberals to be hypocrites. This clinton lap dog talks the limo liberal line but moves from hillcrest because it has a higher crime rate and it starting to change from white to black. He has the money so he can afford to move away from it all. I love the typical 'limo liberal' line-----some of my best friends in Perry county are blacks. This gives me permission to move and do what everyone else is doing. You hypocrite.

Posted by: strangelove | August 6, 2008 09:50 PM

It occurred to me late last night that it sounded like I actually got off a shot. I didn't. Even without my glasses, I could see well enough to tell what was pushing in my screen. Strange's attitude compounds my lack of clarity. By the way, Strange, weren't you asking about private schools? Now that request might lead me to a conclusion. I guess you want to avoid some segment of society -- maybe us unchurched ones. Or maybe another segment? Unwarranted conclusion?

Posted by: Doigotta | August 7, 2008 08:04 AM

It takes a special kind of person to make nasty comments about such a heart-warming story.

It really does point out a fundamental difference between conservatives and liberals. And it illustrates why Jesus was crucified by conservatives.

Posted by: Republicans for Obama | August 7, 2008 08:40 AM

"And it illustrates why Jesus was crucified by conservatives."

In all fairness, he had it coming.

Posted by: Moxiemoron | August 7, 2008 09:30 AM

More cowbell! That is, more Layla updates and pictures if you get the chance. She is a bovine angel. Or maybe Mr Lyons is the angel. Probably both.

Posted by: MarthaB | August 7, 2008 12:44 PM

Arkansas Blog

Lyons on the hoof UPDATE

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