The prospect of traveling behind a half-dozen high school marching bands in Monday's Findlay Market Parade proved to be more than Cincinnati's formerly fugitive cow could bear.

Animal lover and former Reds owner Marge Schott talks to Cincinnati's runaway cow before the parade. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Pop artist Peter Max, who plans to take the Charolais cow to Farm Sanctuary's upstate New York farm in a few days, at the last minute pulled the penned-up cow from the 83rd annual Opening Day parade.

        “The drums, the noise, the people — it was all too much for the sweet girl,” Mr. Max said.

        The cow — now dubbed “Cinci Freedom” — became famous here and nationwide after it escaped a certain doom at Ken Meyer Meats in Camp Washington last month. A thousand pounds of beef on the hoof eluded police and the SPCA for 10 days before being found in Clifton's Mount Storm Park.

OPENING DAY PHOTO GALLERIES

• The Game • Celebration • People • Stadium • Parade

        Mr. Meyer, who was on hand Monday as Mayor Charlie Luken presented the cow with a key to the city, said he was glad to be able to spare the Charolais' life.

        “She earned her freedom,” Mr. Meyer said.

Artist Peter Max, who is giving a home to the cow, holds the key to the city given to him by Mayor Charlie Luken. | ZOOM |

        The cow was given to Mr. Max after he donated artworks valued at more than $100,000 to the SPCA.

        One person who was not happy to see the cow go was Marge Schott. She had offered to take the cow to her Indian Hill home, where the animal-loving former Reds owner keeps other cows.

        “That cow belongs in Cincinnati,” Mrs. Schott said.

        As Mr Luken, Mr. Max and Mr. Meyer posed for the TV cameras shortly before the parade began, Mrs. Schott quietly slipped up to the cow's pen on wheels and talked to it gently.

        “Goodbye, honey,” Mrs. Schott said.

Opening Day photo galleries: • The Game • Celebration • People • Stadium • Parade Red-letter day for fans, Reds Reds 5, Cubs 4 Larkin 'was going all the way' Peevish cow passes on parade SULLIVAN: Little Ball yields big breaks Walker says Opening Day hard - really Dunn's first opener 'unbelievable' Boone: Dunn will learn 1B Hamilton gave Reds what they need Welcome return for Stynes Cubs' struggles don't worry Sosa Reds box, runs Reds make hit with vegetarians

Bledsoe not counting out Bengals
Maryland strongarms Indiana for title
Hoosiers couldn't get inside game they needed
This 'Hoosiers' didn't have happy ending
Dixon gives Terps key burst
Maryland finally has its season to remember
Williams never quit shouting
NKU's Cottrell national player of year
Cyclones set playoff roster
Coming up this week
Pitching, 'D' powers Hamilton
Cincinnati high school highlights
Cincinnati high school results
N.Ky. high school highlights
N.Ky. high school results

• Return to Reds front page...