The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Roxy on June 23, 2010, 04:12:30 pm
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as I see my goat herd decreasing, and the goats going off to their new homes. I have done my best to vet people, and hope I have secured the best homes I possibly can for them. They deserve that, as they are all nice goats. Unfortunately some people who rang, were just not suitable (or did not seem it) They had no idea that goats needed fencing to keep them in, nor other goats and livestock for company. Although some people asked, realised this was what was needed, and admitted they could not go ahead, which I have to give them credit for.
I have also done my best to deliver the goats, so that I can see for myself where they will be living. But then the hard part ....walking away as my goats try to get to me, to come back home. The people who have Paddy and Jasmine and the three pygmy goats have kindly texted me to let me know they have settled ok, which is a relief.
I am off tonight to deliver two of the Franks to their new home - not sure how the other three Franks will feel about that - they have been together since kids.
As well as my health problems, and the sheer workload, we are on a time limit, as the auction of the farm draws near. up to press, we have not found anywhere to rent that will take us and our remaining animals, so it is important I downsize as much as possible, as quick as I can.
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Roxy it must be awful for you but I am sure you have found great homes for them. If our business ever went down the tubes the animals would be my one concern, I can't imagine ever walking away from them. You know you are doing the right thing, keep in there. :) :)
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I know I am doing the right thing, James, but it does not make it any easier. When I rehomed the goats for various people, I honestly did not envisage myself in this position. My animals mean the world to me, and its not often any leave us to go to a new home, unless it be the goat kids.
I suppose the goats will not mind where they are, so long as there is food, and knowing the Franks especially, that is their main concern!!!
I suppose I have been sneaky, but have been googling peoples postcodes on the google map, and having a nosey at where they live, to see if its suitable for my precious goats!!! Unfortunately, like our own house, some are off the beaten track, up long farm tracks, so you cannot actually see until you get there, as is the one tonight.
I think I will feel a bit better, once the ones who are going are gone. It was very hard choosing who had to go, but the white billy is elderley, and I did not want him to go, so he and his little companion, Dolly are staying here. Will fit those two in somewhere, they are only small!!
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Oh Roxy, I really feel for you :( I can't imagine life without my 3 now and even in the case of the kittens I get tearful with them going and would, like you, google addresses to assess suitability (big roads etc!)
they've had a wonderful life with you and I am sure that with everything you are doing they will still have agreat life, its not like you would let just anyone have them :) Its still very hard though xx
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This must be so rough for you. I can imagine how you must feel, as I'd feel the same. Even knowing you're doing your best won't make it easy. My thoughts are with you.
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Nobody can make you feel better about having to rehome your animals however some of us have had to rehome other animals so can understand how hard it is for you. :-*
Im sorry Roxy that you have had to do this but you have done the best that you can for them and thats all you can do.
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I'm sorry Roxy you're doing your best for them tjey couldn't ask for more. Big hug x
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Well two of the Franks have gone. I didn't look which ones I had got, just put leads on them. Anyway, my favourite Frank I is still in the shed!!
They enjoyed the 20 mile trip, looking at the countryside. They were leaning over my shoulder all the way. When we got to Chesterfield, I showed them the crooked church spire. Lovely place, right out in the country, long way for them to walk into the town and get up to mischief..
They will be in a paddock next to their own ponies. We put them in a stable, with a pile of hay to settle in overnight. I went back to say goodbye, and they seemed fine about it. The man was very nice, and has a 13 year old daughter. I showed her how the Franks liked a cuddle, but she was a bit wary of goats. I am sure she will soon take to the two boys. She is more interested in her ponies, who are in the next paddock.
Again, I am pleased the boys have a nice home - and a new identity - Max and Paddy.
Just another nice place for the three boys and two females and that would be great.
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Hi Roxy, not sure if you got my personal message (never sure if I send them right!!) lady at school seems very keen but needs to wait for her mum to get back from holiday. so if no-one else comes forward in next few days, you could well have a good home over here :)
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I can only begin to imagine how you must be feeling Roxy. A big hug from here in Devon :love:
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Roxy you must also remember that if you get yourslef ill and are unable to look after your animals then you are no use to them anyway. You must look after your health and keep your strength up for the forthcoming hassles in your life. You are much more use to everyone when you are fighting fit and strong, keep your chin up and keep smiling my friend. :)
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Hiya Roxy, i think you do a great job. Its the same with selling ponies, very bittersweet, you know that youve got the est home for them but yes, it does tug at the heartstrings, but it shows we care. xxx
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I feel the same when selling 8 week old puppies - I insist that my new owners send me regular updates, but it doesn't always happen. ::) :'(
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I cried today while I put the 2 remaining kittens into an ad in our local paper so I think I can understand how hard this must be. you've given them a great home and you just want the best for them still xx
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I have just one kitten left, which a lady wants when she returns from holiday, to go and live on her farm. Got to trap the females now to be speyed, that will be fun. You do get attached to the kittens, after all you feed and love them, and watch them grow and play, its natural you will be sad when they go. Same with the puppies. But we cannot keep them all, can we!!
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was tempted to 'accidentally' not advertise them but i think hubby would go nuts!!
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I am getting enquiries from people who have no idea about keeping goats whatsoever. I know everyone has to start somewhere, and thats fair enough, but these boys are big and need space. Just answered the phone to a lady who wanted just one goat to keep in her garden. Never kept goats before, and of course knew nothing about holding numbers etc. I said I thought one of my goats would not settle on its own, and have now had a text saying she is happy to fill in any forms needed, and will take two goats.
There is no way I can rehome into a situation like this ......one goat sounded too much, and without more than a minutes thought she now wants two .......have thank you, but no. I will hold out for another home. Fingers crossed someone will come along soon. Do have someone hopefully interested, but they are on holiday. But want to leave them advertised in case this person decides not to have goats.
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I know just how you feel Roxy, after my cancer treatment finished in 2008 I decided to stop breeding my Shetland ponies, sold the mares and both my Stallions. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done but I have been so lucky, the people who bought the girls have all kept in touch, send me pictures and showing results. I now buy and bring on colt foals, at the moment we have 5 two of which have just been gelded. It gives me purpose and gets me out in the morning. I do miss my girls but not the stress that comes with foaling. I have always told myself where as one door shuts another will open and I am sure it will be the same for you. :)
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go with your heart :love:
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at least you know the ones that have gone Roxy have got good homes.
like with the kittens ;)
But still hard, all the same.
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I feel traitorous when I take poultry to market or pigs etc. to the abbatoir, so know just how you're feeling. All will come well in the end, I'm certain. Take heart :)
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Having a very "down" day today - I really miss my goats, and hope they are all ok. I am sure they are of course ....I have just walked round the 12 acres round the house, all long grass because there are no cows here this summer. Had my second "warning" to vacate the house, yesterday in a recorded letter. For vacant possession for the auction. So, thats made me feel right cheerful!!!
Yes, there are other farms, and as one door closes another one opens ......but all the same, its not easy to walk away. I have been coming to this farm since a baby,and can remember as a toddler going to feed the hens with my grandad, and riding on the back of the big farm horses as they came back from the fields. On the other hand, the TB problem weighs heavy on my mind, and in a way, thats made me realise its time to move on.
We will have to rent in the meantime, and then make a decision whether to buy a house with land or not. I do still have my own land just up the lane, but it will be a bit close to here, and I will find it too upsetting to see someone else here. I have just been speaking to the farmer who rented our land, and he asked if I will be at the auction. No ....I won't, it will be too painful.
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You know Roxy the land is just land and the house is just bricks and mortar and both able to be replaced. You have your memories as you just described some of them and keeping these cherished times in your head means you can always still share a part of your old life. Life changes whether we want it to or not and he have no choice but to change with it. Your feelings probably will get hurt more before things start to get better but always know that they will. I wish we could do something to help but you have our support and we wish you and the family the very best of luck. Here's to better and happier times. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
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Thank you, James. I know I should not moan. I am very lucky to have my own land, and my animals of course. You are right, a house is a house, and its what you put into it that makes it a home. I am probably too emotionally attached to this one. I think if I could find the right house, I would feel a lot better, but all the ones I have looked at have not been right ....so far. Cumbria is favourite so far, or southern Scotland, although the different buying laws for houses is a bit off putting for us, not knowing about it.
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Roxy, I sent you a PM, did you see it?
The Scottish house buying system isn't a lot different from the English one at the moment. We aren't really seeing many 'closing dates' these days - where you have to make an offer well above the asking price), there's quite a lot of 'fixed prices' where the first offer in at that price gets the property. Many places are sold now on offers near to the asking price.