We used to have lively articles in psychology classes about
which was dominant, nature or nurture but the truth is that both contribute to the equation. Sometimes when mothers
reject their babies, they will imprint on whoever takes
care of them.
.

Let me tell you about a calf that I raised on the bottle
because his mother died at birth. He was certain that
I was his mother and that Wolf, our Alaskan Malamute was his
brother.

It was expensive and time consuming because we had to buy
first milk from the Vet to use the first few feedings and
then from a local dairy for his twice a day bottle feedings.
It required a quart sized bottle with a large nipple. He
thrived and grew handsome and sturdy.

When it came time to wean him, we transferred him to a smaller, but safer and more confined
pasture with water and he ran free with the dogs. When they
hunted, he went along and pretended to sniff around at
rocks and the ground. When they jumped up into Ted's work
shop, he did too seeking affection.

If he got out, all I had to do was find him and walk back
home because he followed me every step of the way, after all
that is what dogs do.

He ate grass and cattle feed and since he was a little bull
he reverted to nature and sometimes came up behind Ted and
gave him a good butt in the rear. Ted got very tired of
this and sold him so he could go fulfill his role as a
papa. I often wondered if he missed life as a dog.