"After I was abandoned at birth, my owners (Jim and Jeanne Kelpe) discovered me, scooped me up, wrapped me in a blanket and nestled me in a bed of straw in the barn.

"My mama, Jeanne, is kind of funny looking (compared to the herd), but she bottle-feeds me and gives me lots of TLC.

"They were planning a trip to St. Louis for Grandparents' Day and were also taking a china cabinet to their daughter.

"Since I had to be fed three times a day, they decided to take me in the pet carrier.

"However, there wasn't room in the back of the truck after the china cabinet was loaded, so they reluctantly decided to let me ride in the front.

"Mama said I was a good little heifer! In St. Louis, I shared a fenced in backyard with a collie my size. I thought I was a dog for a while in St. Louis.

"The collie and I romped in the back yard. The dog barked, and I answered in moo-moo talk.

"The neighborhood kids loved me, and I'm still the talk of the subdivision!"

-- Jeanne Kelpe

Editor's note: Although the Kelpes raise cattle to sell, Ruby will not become hamburger. "We're planning to keep Ruby as a pet for our grandchildren," Jeanne Kelpe said. Here's to Ruby -- one special friend! If you would like to see your pet's photo on the Faces & Places page of the Southeast Missourian, send the photo and why your pet is special, to B. Ray Owen, community news editor.