hilabeans
Chillin' with the herd
Hello BYH forum members!
My name is Hilary and I am brand new to you, and to livestock. What was building up to being one of the most exciting weeks of my life (finally realizing my decades-long dream of goat ownership) has ended in an unexpected tragedy that has broken my family's hearts.
I recently underwent a hysterectomy at 42 years old. It was a sad and scary few months leading up to it. My husband wanted to give me something wonderful to look forward to past my recovery and said we were finally in a place where we could add some goats to the family. Being a lover of all creatures, great and small, I've already managed to talk this patient man into a dog, 2 cats, 2 snakes, a bearded dragon, 4 tarantulas (oh, yes), and an emperor scorpion. And now - bring on the farm animals!
We brought home 3 pygmy/Nigerian goat cross triplets last weekend. They were 6 weeks old. We knew from the beginning that the runt of the litter had a bit of a rocky start. He was slower to thrive and just a bit "different" than the other 2. But were assured by the time we brought him home that he was all better and catching up to his bigger brother & sister. He was exceptionally sweet. Far more affectionate and people oriented than his siblings. We were instantly head over heals for our little Alfie.
After a day or 2 at home, we noticed rattled breathing and goopy eyes and so begins day after day of trying to get him right. Loooong story, several vet visits, many breeder calls later ... our little Alfie passed away at the vet's office from Enterotoxemia. We were unable to save him.
Our hearts are shattered. The guilt we feel thinking perhaps someone more experienced could've saved him is devastating us. The vet assured us that he just wasn't right, and this would've happened sooner or later, that it wasn't anything we did or didn't do. But I just can't seem to forgive myself for losing him.
Needless to say, we are completely rattled. Our other 2 are so much stronger and healthier; playing and being very typical goats. They tolerate our affections, but don't seem to need or enjoy them like Alfie did. It hurts to lose one, but especially one that seemed to really enjoy our company - it's just awful.
Intro threads are supposed to be ones of happiness and excitement and it kills me to be the one outlier. But I needed to ease my conscience to a group I thought may understand.
And as a reward for reading my novel, here are some pictures.
Sweet Alfie:
Huckleberry aka "Huck"...or turd-sickle:
Hazelnut aka "Hazel":
Huck, Hazel & Alfie:
My name is Hilary and I am brand new to you, and to livestock. What was building up to being one of the most exciting weeks of my life (finally realizing my decades-long dream of goat ownership) has ended in an unexpected tragedy that has broken my family's hearts.
I recently underwent a hysterectomy at 42 years old. It was a sad and scary few months leading up to it. My husband wanted to give me something wonderful to look forward to past my recovery and said we were finally in a place where we could add some goats to the family. Being a lover of all creatures, great and small, I've already managed to talk this patient man into a dog, 2 cats, 2 snakes, a bearded dragon, 4 tarantulas (oh, yes), and an emperor scorpion. And now - bring on the farm animals!
We brought home 3 pygmy/Nigerian goat cross triplets last weekend. They were 6 weeks old. We knew from the beginning that the runt of the litter had a bit of a rocky start. He was slower to thrive and just a bit "different" than the other 2. But were assured by the time we brought him home that he was all better and catching up to his bigger brother & sister. He was exceptionally sweet. Far more affectionate and people oriented than his siblings. We were instantly head over heals for our little Alfie.
After a day or 2 at home, we noticed rattled breathing and goopy eyes and so begins day after day of trying to get him right. Loooong story, several vet visits, many breeder calls later ... our little Alfie passed away at the vet's office from Enterotoxemia. We were unable to save him.
Our hearts are shattered. The guilt we feel thinking perhaps someone more experienced could've saved him is devastating us. The vet assured us that he just wasn't right, and this would've happened sooner or later, that it wasn't anything we did or didn't do. But I just can't seem to forgive myself for losing him.
Needless to say, we are completely rattled. Our other 2 are so much stronger and healthier; playing and being very typical goats. They tolerate our affections, but don't seem to need or enjoy them like Alfie did. It hurts to lose one, but especially one that seemed to really enjoy our company - it's just awful.
Intro threads are supposed to be ones of happiness and excitement and it kills me to be the one outlier. But I needed to ease my conscience to a group I thought may understand.
And as a reward for reading my novel, here are some pictures.
Sweet Alfie:
Huckleberry aka "Huck"...or turd-sickle:
Hazelnut aka "Hazel":
Huck, Hazel & Alfie:
