A Boy, a Calf, and the Calf’s Best Friend…

While most kids around the world are playing on their computer devices – from the streets of New York to beneath the baobabs of Tanzania (where Masai kids can be seen tapping on their cellphones) – a South African couple has made a conscious decision to expose their son to a simpler non-electronic life.

And from these photographs it appears he is thriving…along with a calf and a dog called Djok.

South African couple Laurie Jean and James Ross live on a plot, North of Johannesburg, where they have made the decision to home school Jameson (8) and expose him to the simple life, while giving him a broad education that could not be offered in any school.

Jameson’s education includes the standard subjects but with focus and acceleration in Maths, Physics and History. Other subjects include animal husbandry, electronics, mechanics and architectural design (sketch-up).

“Our attempt for simplicity was to ensure he was not a child who became addicted to all the pitfalls of our electronic age,” says his mother, Laurie.

And so instead of spending hours glued to a computer device, Jameson has instead spent hours bonding with the animals on their plot.

First of all there’s Djokovic – known as “Djok of the Tennis court” not the Bushveld – who joined the family’s menagerie of beasts two years ago.

“Someone in the area sent an SOS email, seeking a home for a stray Pit-bull. A very thin, scared, biliary infected dog, covered in numerous wounds was welcomed into our home,” says Laurie.

“Pit-bulls have truly been given a raw deal when it comes to the way people regard them. A more loyal, loving beast we could not wish to have found.”

And then there’s Katie, the calf.

“In May this year, we were looking to start producing cheese and had been promised a full grown female jersey cow, that was in need of a home.

“When this fell through we went in search of a calf. Katie, a three-week-old calf was found on the West Rand, on a beef cattle farm, where a blade of grass would have been a feast.

“Jameson insisted on spending the first night in her shed, comprehending the enormity of her split from her mother. Bottle feeding, and all that goes with a brand new baby was the new daily routine.

“Both our dogs, Djok and Nicky (a 5-year-old Bull Terrier) were included, and in fact encouraged to be part of this bonding phase,” says Laurie.

“Nicky is still a little unsure, but Djok has developed a gentle, playful relationship and Katie and Djok can be seen chasing each other through the paddock with clearly no idea that they are in any way of different species.” [Watch the video below.]

Life on the plot definitely looks a lot more fulfilling than playing Farmville!

Watch Video: Katie and Djok have developed an incredible bond