Blosom, the world’s tallest cow at 6-foot-4, has died at her owner’s farm in northern Illinois after holding the title granted by Guinness World Records for less than a year. She was 13.
After suffering an irreparable leg injury, the 1-ton celebrity “was called to graze in a more glorious pasture” on May 26, her owner, Pat Hanson, announced on Blosom’s Facebook page, which she intends to maintain as a tribute.
Two veterinarians said there was nothing they could do to save her, says Hanson, who kept Blosom on her farm near Orangeville.
Hanson says the 2,000-pound cow was buried in her favorite pasture, with her head facing east toward the farm.
Blosom was about a foot taller than the average female Holstein. Blosom was named the world’s tallest cow in October. Blosom will still be included in the 2016 edition of the Guinness World Records book.
Hanson got Blosom as a calf and made the cow her pet.
“I told my dad years ago that Blosom was destined for stardom, and with this record she has achieved that,” Hanson said at the time the title was announced.
“The number of people that embraced and fell in love with her has been unbelievable!” she wrote after announcing Blosom’s death. “She made so many smile, and the world is a happier place because of her.”
Tuesday, she thanked reporter Jane Lethlean for playing “a huge part in sharing Blosom’s story with the world.” Lethlean first wrote about Blosom in 2013 and later in The Journal Standard, wthe Freeport, Illinois, newspaper here she broke the news to the wider world of the passing of the “cow of many hats.”
Hanson found Blosom down in her favorite pasture, unable to get up. Exactly what happened isn’t known, but she and her veterinarians surmise Blosom slipped in mud as she was laying down and damaged a ligament in her left hip, making it impossible for her to stand.
“I had to make that hard decision — I wouldn’t let her suffer,” Hanson wrote. “It’s the last act of kindness you can do for an animal you love, but it sure is hard.”
Contributing: USA Today, AP
