In the scheme of grand adventures, nine months spent wandering the lowlands of rural England might not seem all that impressive, but for one free-spirited cow it was enough to earn local fame and, eventually, a reprieve from the butcher's block.

Floss, a 4-year-old Highland, apparently escaped from her field just one day after she had been bought at a market and wandered over a 60-mile area during her three-quarters of a year on the lam, feeding at night to avoid detection.

Floss's hobo lifestyle was eventually ended by a pair of local animal lovers who heard of the plight of the "Beast of Ealand" and set about capturing her with the help of some food and a tranquilizer dart.

The two women then paid Floss's owner $700 and relocated the bovine explorer to an animal sanctuary, where she will presumably spend her days telling all the other rescued cows about the incredible, mind-broadening experiences she had during her travels.