Babe The Giant Steer’s Legacy Lives On

Babe The Giant Steer’s Legacy Lives On Babe, a Holstein steer from Kooskia, Idaho, has left a lasting impression on the community he once called home. This gentle giant, measuring an impressive 6 ft., 2 in. tall and 13 ft. long, soothed troubled lives with rides on his back. Dale Ruebush took over Babe’s care when the calf was abandoned at birth by his mother due to pneumonia. The Ruebush family used a variety of natural remedies, including hydrotherapy, to save his life. They gained a loyal pet for their efforts, and Babe earned a special place within their Christian ministry. It took just one ride with a custom-made halter for Babe to be saddle broken, and the steer spent the following years helping troubled teens improve their social skills and self-confidence. “But it wasn’t just teens who benefited from Babe,” Ruebush says. “Awed toddlers, adventurous grandmothers, and so many people in between have a precious memory of sitting atop the world while mounted on that cherished beast.” Babe made an impression on everyone he met, which made his unfortunate demise all the more painful for the humans who loved him. “Babe has been gone several years now,” says Ruebush. “His memory still makes us emotional.” Ruebush shares Babe’s story to encourage readers to be responsible with their pets. “Because of our limited pasture, neighbors would allow Babe to graze their unused property/pastures,” he says. “One day, a pack of dogs attacked Babe. This totally surprised him, I’m sure, as all the dogs he knew were affectionate to him. In his panic, he ran over an area strewn with rocks, falling and seriously damaging his right hip. Fortunately, a neighbor stepped in to scare off the dogs, then called me and helped Babe home.” Ruebush did all he could to help Babe heal, with encouraging results. Unfortunately, the steer slipped on ice several months later, causing him to break his still-weakened hip. With no hope of recovery, a neighbor put Babe down humanely. Even in death, Babe remained a blessing. “My daughter contacted the local food bank to give them access to Babe soon after he was put down,” says Ruebush. “They harvested over 400 lbs. to share with those struggling to make ends meet. Then, a local taxidermist donated his time and expertise to prepare Babe’s skull so it could be donated to the local Kamiah Valley Historical Society Museum. We truly live in an amazing area.” Still, grief has hit Ruebush hard. “It took us a while to recover from losing Babe. And it was a while before I allowed myself to bond with another animal,” he shares. “Fortunately, my oldest daughter asked me to join her in K9 Search and Rescue activities, and she gave me a female puppy to work with for that purpose. That dog helped me to heal from the loss of Babe and has taught me to love animals on a new level. God is good.” Moving forward, Ruebush continues to appreciate how many lives Babe touched. “We may never know the positive good Babe did for so many people. I can only imagine how many children’s lives were changed by the knowledge that they sat on top of that giant of a cow. I’m sure it has affected their confidence for the rest of their lives.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dale Ruebush, P.O. Box 881, Kooskia, Idaho 83536 (ph 208-926-0889; ihei777@gmail.com).

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