I am April, the cow.  I have stood silent vigil over Eastsound since 1996.

Though I was born on San Juan Island, my owners – preteens Lyria and Joy – saw me as a calf at the San Juan County Fair and begged to bring me to Orcas Island.

My grandpa, Jim Shaffer-Bauck, said if the girls could find me a proper field they could have me.  They rode all over Eastsound on their bicycles and found kind-hearted Darrel Holmes, who agreed I could live in the field of the apartment complex he managed. Even though Darrel is now gone, the property owners have let me stay for 15 years.

Being in Eastsound is rather like being the center of attention! I remember my entire human family sleeping with me in the coral when I came to live on Orcas. I also still chuckle when my little owners brought me to school for show-and-tell and especially when I was led through the school hallways and into a teacher’s office as an April Fool’s Day prank!

I like being in town because people see me and bring me food from restaurants and grocery stores and make sure I am watered and cared for. The healthy Orcas foods have kept me almost vet-free except for one time when a hoof got infected and another time when my horn was growing inward. It gave me an awful headache.

The other animals running for Mayor don’t have the longevity, or history on Orcas Island that I do. I think tenure should carry some weight in this election. Please vote for me by writing my name on an election envelope when you give a contribution at the assorted voting booths around town. I am a staple of stability and reliability. I make you smile and I care about Eastsound, just like you.

Besides, one of my human friends overheard a city-tourist tell her son to come look at the BUFFALO!  That was quite the indignity, considering I am half Brown Swiss cow.

For that reason alone, I should be your next mayor!

April

The Cow