Well, according to the article, the heifer's support also included Del Morris, manager of Mickey's Packing Plant, who said he decided to let the cow live the instant he saw it cross the Missouri River through Great Falls.

The last time I took old laying hens on their final trip, there was one who escaped my attention. We returned to find a single Rhode Island Red still roosting in the henhouse - and immediately christened her "Miss Lucky" - and she'll live out her days here, whether or not she ever lays another egg.

Irrational, to be sure, but sometimes we farmers can be a superstitious lot.