Looking out our window one late evening, we saw a man get down on one knee.Then suddenly hugs, kissing and champagne. A couple gathered at the cow for their engagement. The cow has been featured in countless family photographs, holiday posts and sports banners (even a pesky Michigan fan secretly decorating when they played our beloved Buffs). 

One morning a letter was left on the cow. A woman wrote about how she was retiring the next day from a career in Lowry. “I’m retiring on Friday and will be very happy to give up my long drive from Morrison but will miss Dexter” she wrote. The following day, the cow had a special message for Lori, signs along the parkway wishing her a happy retirement. Soon the entire office showed up for photos to honor her special occasion.

The cow has lots of names. We originally named her Briggs after Marcus’ hometown of Briggsdale. But we also hear “Dexter”, “Fauxvine” and “Bessie”. Mostly we just simply say “the cow house”. Paul Simon talks about how the audience finishes a song by hearing their own lyrics. It’s the same with the cow, her name is whatever our neighbors call her.

When the cow first arrived in Hilltop there was a dedicated group of rascals determined to bring cow tipping to the neighborhood. We would hear our friends approaching the cow in the middle of the night and would find her laying on her side in the morning. Now Dexter is secured by concrete and reinforced steel – a permanent part of the landscape along the parkway. She has a slight turn as she is headed home.

The cow is a beacon of the celebrations of our family. She is in nearly every family photo, generously participates in all our creative concepts, carefully addresses political topics of the day, and always honors our children. The plants and children around her grow and blossom with every season while she remains the constant. Dexter found us when our son was a newborn—he is a family pet, trusted friend and creative canvas (the cow, not our son).  

Historically, Dexter is a certified mid-century cow that once stood proudly in front of the legendary Hilltop Steak House in Saugus, Massachusetts—one of America’s busiest restaurants in the 70s, 80s and 90s. She earned her time on the parkway.

The cow has her own Instagram @fauxvine, holiday cards and is a frequent media darling. We have a collection of cow trinkets that have been left behind to encourage her next outfit. The greatest gift are the notes, calls, emails, honks and parkway engagements we receive. People express their joy, memories, ideas and thanks for the parkway icon.  Dexter relishes being a part of the neighborhood.