you know you're a parent when...

...you start talking to your animals like they're kids.

so the other day, i'm watering the animals, and decide that while the tanks are filling up, i'll cut down some of those burdocks. the steer, who likes to meet me when i do the water so i can scratch his ears, sees the thingamabob to cut the burdocks and doesn't like it. so he lowers his head down and head-butts me.

in surprise, i yell, "what do you think you're doing?!" and he stops and looks at me guiltily with those big cow eyes of his.

trying to remain calm, i say, "we don't do that," in a stern voice, then add, "that's not nice!"

he stares at me, then takes a tiny step forward and lowers his head. "NO!" I say, again, firmly.

and he stops, stands there and pouts.

after i finished with the water, i thought, "he's at least 600 lbs. and has horns... and i think by saying, "no, that's not nice," that he'll listen to me?!

apparently he did.