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| Dad (Right) and one of his classmates, Grant. Oh, and their dates for the Little Royal. You probably can't see it, but they are standing just outside of . . . well, read on . . . |
Dad was a veterinarian.
He received his education at the University of Guelph in
Ontario, Canada.
It was an . . . interesting three years.
For everyone involved . . .
In the spring of each year, everyone in the area geared up
for the much-anticipated Little Royal Agricultural Show. There were numerous
displays put on by all three colleges in the area: The Vets (My Dad’s group)
from Guelph Veterinary College, the Aggies from the Ontario Agriculture College,
and the Mac Hall girls from the MacDonald Institute for Women.
There was also a show of livestock right on the campus.
Being a Hereford enthusiast, Dad chose to show a Hereford
cow. Two of his classmates chose similarly and the three of them spent most of
their evenings working with their animals, gentling and training them.
A week before the show, they decided that their animals had
worked hard enough to have earned a little R and R (Rousing and riotous fun).
Because . . . Dad. I'm sure I don't need any further explanation . . .
The quiet, gentle animals were led out into the compound.
All was well.
The boys led them around the campus.
Still good.
Finally, they led the cows up the stairs and into the humans’
residence. Happily, the animals trotted along behind.
The three men and their ‘exhibits’ circled the hall to loud
acclaim, (Okay, there was a lot of shouting and laughter, I’m going to call it ‘acclaim’.)
and started back toward the door.
Which suddenly became blocked.
By the Dean of Men.
Oops.
For a moment, the three boys and their Dean simply stared at
each other. Then, without a word, the Dean backed away and let them out onto the porch.
After a quick couple of pictures there (What event doesn't
need to be recorded – or proved?), the cows were meekly led back to their barn
and re-in-stalled. So to speak.
For a week, Dad walked about gingerly, expecting at any
moment to be called onto the Dean’s carpet.
Nothing happened.
I guess because the cows didn't leave anything on the dorm
carpet, the Dean was happy to overlook the whole episode.
Then, too, he probably knew my dad . . .
