Unexpected Events

 

I lost Elissa last week - totally unexpected.  Not really sure what happened or why.  The day before, it looked like she had had a miscarriage and she wasn't eating (which was EXTREMELY unusual for Elissa).  Elissa would knock everyone down to get to the feeding trough.  Sometimes a goat won't eat grain if they have an upset stomach, but they will always eat hay.  She would only nibble at the hay.  So I decided to worm her.  Not much difference.  So late that evening, I gave her a Vitamin B complex shot to boost her appetite.  That usually always works . . .

The next morning, I found her dead.  My husband thinks she had a heart attack from the way she was laying.  I really hate losing a goat and I really hated losing her.  Not only was she a good milker, but she was a pretty neat goat.  She is going to be hard to replace. 

I am sure a lot of people don't understand and just say they are livestock.  But, I try to take really good care of my animals and I do get attached to them.  A lot of them have been born right here on the farm and I have bottle feed them as babies.  So there is an attachment there. 

Elissa . . . you will be missed.  Thank you for all the wonderful milk you have given us over the last 4 years.  Rest in peace, girl - you deserve it!