She gave birth in secret, carefully hiding her precious calf in our forest, far removed from human eyes and hands.

Discovered on Valentine’s Day, her baby was aptly named Valentine, in honour of the love between mother and child.

For the years that followed, Clarabelle finally got to do what she had been denied so many times before: she got to keep her precious baby. Their beautiful bond endured until Clarabelle passed away at the remarkable age of twenty. Today, Valentine carries their story forward as an Ambassador for Be Kind to Animals Week, reminding us that the bonds animals form matter deeply to them, just as ours do to us.

Clarabelle showed us what love looks like when it is finally allowed to stay. Valentine is the living legacy of that love.

One day her behaviour told us that something was amiss, although her baby was not expected for another week.

Further investigation revealed that her precious little calf had indeed been born, and Clarabelle had carefully hidden her baby in the tall grassy stand of the paddock. She was determined this one would be ‘hers’.

Clarabelle’s baby was discovered on Valentine’s Day, and was aptly named Valentine in honour of the love between mother cows and their babies.

Years later, Clarabelle can still be seen grooming her sweet daughter, and their bond is stronger than ever.

Like many, we grew up with the romantic notion that dairy products were wholesome and good, and indeed they are if you are a baby calf.

Cows do not simply produce milk; they are mammals and will only produce milk for their babies.

Once born, the dairy industry dictates the babies are soon taken away from their mothers and the milk intended for the babies is taken for human consumption.

The males, who will never produce milk, are considered waste products and are killed, many in the first week of their life. Females may enter into the dairy cycle, and small or non-commercial heifers meet the same fate as the males.

Cows have an ancient knowing, a wisdom beyond their form.

Animal behaviourist Dr Temple Grandin has said that the fear memories of cows can never be deleted.

The dairy farm worker (from where Clarabelle came) shared that the cows remembered which vehicle came and took their baby away shortly after birth. Other passing vehicles would get no reaction, until the one vehicle that took their baby would return. At this point, the cows would become nervous, anxious and edgy, looking for the babies they would never see again.

If you love dairy products and don’t believe you can find an alternative, please remember this – mother cows love their babies many times more.

The simplest way to help cows like Clarabelle and Valentine is to leave dairy and beef off your menu. And with so many delicious alternatives these days, it’s never been easier!

When you make the pledge for Be Kind to Animals Week, you’ll get a series of daily emails until 7 October giving you tips and inspiration for kindness to animals.

Because no matter what animals look like, they all need and deserve kindness.