On a hot summer day in Paicenes, California, I watched a very young calf suckle from its mother. Her nose gleamed shiny with milk. The young calf watched me with open curiosity but no fear; it was surrounded by older cows who protected her. I was entranced when the older cows soon after formed a moving shield as they coaxed the baby calf to another part of the pasture. A cow in front, another flanked her, and two at the sides.