The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Roxy on April 01, 2011, 10:12:30 pm

Title: Lost a goat today
Post by: Roxy on April 01, 2011, 10:12:30 pm

Billy the white sanaan.  He came to me with his friend Dolly last year .  He was housed with the big castrated boys - and Dolly of course. They were not going to be parted!!

Not sure how old Billy was, but he was castrated a few weeks before he came to us .....his last four female kids had arrived by that time.  A couple of days ago he seemed to go a bit wobbly on his back legs, although he was still walking, and until yesterday he was grazing in the field.  He even followed me up the steep slope into the orchard yesterday!!

I came home from work at lunchtime and Billy had deteriorated.  He came to me, I stroked him, and he just sank to the floor ......within a few minutes he was gone, so it was quick.  There was no time to call the vet, but even if I had, there was nothing he could do.  It was just old age I think.

He was a right character - had big horns, which looked rather odd on his quite small body.  Very gentle goat though, and if you left the van door open he would jump in. Would also go in the house too, given the chance!!

Poor Dolly, she will miss her mate. 

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: doganjo on April 01, 2011, 10:46:11 pm

So sorry, Roxy.  Sounds like you will miss him too.

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: McRennet on April 02, 2011, 12:37:58 am

Gosh Roxy, I am so sorry.

He sounded wonderful, A one in a million.

Just letting you know I'm thinking of you.
xxx

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: wytsend on April 02, 2011, 07:07:55 am

Oh Roxy, so sad but at least he knew he could trust you completely.  This is a special bond with an adult male because even tho' he was castrated he would have retained some previous instincts.

He is at peace now but watch Dolly,  I hope you let her see him down... very important in the animal world to see their departed partners.

Have just had to do the same thing over a mare I had put down last Thursday.

Speak soon

Hugs

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: jaykay on April 02, 2011, 08:32:08 am

Oh I'm sorry  :'( He sounds like a real character. I guess when it's time to go, quickly is the way though  :-*

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: Blinkers on April 02, 2011, 10:37:06 am

Awww, I'm so so sorry - but at least it was a very quick thing and he wouldn't have known anything about it.    Bless.   Thinking of you xx

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: Hatty on April 02, 2011, 10:39:26 am

 :bouquet: so sorry about billy x

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: bazzais on April 02, 2011, 12:03:02 pm

Aww he waited to say his goodbye to you.  God bless.

Baz

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: Rosemary on April 02, 2011, 01:20:42 pm

Sorry about your loss, but a good way to go, I think.

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: goosepimple on April 02, 2011, 01:23:51 pm

What a gentle story ... if only all animals could go like that ... and how nice someone who looked after him and cared for him was there at the end, couldn't have been nicer really, sounds like he had a good life so be proud.

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: Mays on April 02, 2011, 01:52:32 pm

So sorry to here this  :(

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: faith0504 on April 02, 2011, 05:32:24 pm

thinking about you, its so hard to say good bye  :bouquet:

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: Crofter on April 02, 2011, 07:01:20 pm

So sad, they really do become friends don't they.

Dave

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: little blue on April 02, 2011, 09:05:08 pm

oh, poor Dolly,
Sleep well Billly
you'll be missed

Title: Re: Lost a goat today
Post by: NormandyMary on April 19, 2011, 09:15:37 pm

Oh how sad. So sorry. Sending big hugs to you from the other side of the channel.