Chunk-Chunk is a rescued dairy cow who now resides blissfully at Dawn's Country Market in Milton at Route 1 and Cave Neck Road. Chunk-Chunk beguiles the visitors with his inquisitive eyes and long eyelashes. He remembers his favorite friends, and is a much-loved member of Wally and Dawn Goff's family.
It wasn't always this kind of life for the young calf. Driving home one night, Wally stopped to visit with a farmer who 'had no use for the dairy calf,' so Wally bought him for $20 and took him home. (Male calves are by-products of the dairy industry, and therefore have no 'value.' They usually come to an early, unhappy end.) Well, Dawn took one look into Chunk-Chunk's huge soft brown eyes, and decided right then and there that such a sweet little guy would never become someone's dinner! Instead he became the new addition to the family, where he lives outside in his own new comfy 'digs' and has visitors all day long. Dawn gave Chunk-Chunk his unusual name from her childhood memories of a beloved cow who lived near her grandmother.
I first met Chunk-Chunk about 6 weeks ago – I had stopped by the market for my usual supply of delectable local veggies. His eyes were inquisitive, imploring, gentle and wise.
It turns out I'm not the only one who loves this cow. I stopped in the market again a few days ago to buy corn and visit my friend. Dawn told me Chunk-Chunk has another admirer – someone who comes each day and brings the cow his favorite treat: a peppermint candy.
Chunk-Chunk has such a liking for the peppermint, he's taken special note of what car his candy-delivering friend drives. When the woman pulls up, Dawn says, Chunk-Chunk recognizes his friend's car and comes running up to greet her and get his candy.
