I breathed a sigh of relief when I came across an article about a man being questioned by the police in Norfolk, Nebraska for having a full-grown Watusi bull sitting in the passenger seat of his sedan as he drove down Route 275. Finally, it seems like things are returning to normal.
Lately, the nation has been consumed by politics and cultural problems, which has taken away from the joy of engaging in wacky undertakings that have long been a part of our American culture. Politics tends to bring out the worst in us, but it’s the bizarre and brilliant incidents that truly resonate with us. Whether it’s a man flying in a lawn chair attached to balloons, or someone creating a modern Stonehenge using half-buried Cadillacs, these are the moments that capture our imagination. As a child, I was fascinated by billboards advertising the “World’s Largest Prairie Dog” in remote areas of western Kansas. However, when I finally had the chance to see it as an adult, I was both disappointed and impressed by the weathered statue standing at around eight to ten feet tall.
And now, we have Lee Meyer, who has become quite the internet sensation. The phrase “full-grown bull riding shotgun” is the epitome of clickbait, but unlike most clickbait, the reality is even more impressive. Meyer’s passenger is an adult male Watusi bull, known for their absurdly large horns. In the viral video, the bull seems content as it rides down the highway in a retired police cruiser that Meyer has transformed to accommodate its size. The license plate reads: “Boy & Dog.”
Not surprisingly, the sight of Meyer and his pet bull, named Howdy Doody, caused at least one person to call 911. I can only imagine the dispatcher’s surprise when she realized she hadn’t heard it all before. The responding officers openly admitted that they were expecting to find a small calf at most. However, they were met with the towering presence of Howdy Doody, with horns as wide as the car’s hood and a streak of digested breakfast running down the rear fender.
The locals in the surrounding countryside were used to seeing Meyer and Howdy Doody at community parades. Watusi bulls are native to Africa and are relatively rare in the United States, where they’ve gained popularity due to their magnificent horns. In fact, when the police pulled Meyer over, the old Crown Victoria still proudly displayed the “Best Car Entry” award from the recent Big Rodeo parade in Burwell.
A sedan with its roof and windshield partially removed to accommodate a massive creature with a cheerful disposition is the kind of parade spectacle that keeps America entertainingly unique. While other nations may engage in scripted military displays, we prefer the sight of shiny fire engines with kids throwing candy, girls in braces twirling batons, grown men skillfully maneuvering tiny cars, and eccentric neighbors taking their pet bull for a ride.
However, the authorities in Norfolk deemed it unwise to have this contraption on the highway. And to be honest, I wouldn’t want to see a Watusi bull in my side mirror either. After warning Meyer about numerous safety violations, the police instructed him to turn around and head back home to Neligh, which was over 30 miles away. Howdy Doody’s visit to town came to a peaceful end. He appeared content, and why wouldn’t he be? It was a beautiful day for a road trip.
Seeing Howdy Doody reminded me of a bull named Ferdinand. Despite riding from the farm to the city in a wooden wagon, Ferdinand was just as picturesque as depicted in Robert Lawson’s timeless children’s book by Munro Leaf. With his awe-inspiring potential, Ferdinand seemed destined for the bullring. However, much like Howdy Doody, Ferdinand possessed a gentle and calm nature. He preferred to sit quietly and enjoy the scent of flowers.
Published during the brutal Spanish Civil War, Leaf’s story about a bull who refused to fight sparked controversy. Creating a pacifist hero for children was seen as subversive during a time when the world was hurtling towards another devastating war. We never find out in the book whether Ferdinand eventually fights, and if he does, whether he fights courageously for a worthy cause. We only know that he refuses to fight for the sake of entertainment or pleasure. Ferdinand questions the joy one can derive from unnecessary conflict. In many ways, Ferdinand embodies the spirit of our times, where divisions have torn the nation apart, turning the diverse and eccentric life of democracy into a brutal blood sport. Perhaps Howdy Doody, Ferdinand’s spiritual successor, should make a road trip to Washington someday.
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