SBC/GW's Journal- Spring shows DONE! & Update

Sadly I am asking when do you know it is time to put a goat down. As many now my doe Sara has been ill. I was optimistic but now am wondering. She was acting better but know is falling down more and crying all the time. I swear if I have to put Sara down I think I might sell all of my flock. Obviously I have failed her. I am heart broken.

I know you're asking SBC - but please don't feel like you've failed her. I've followed her story and you've done so much for her. I hope she can rally again for you...but you may have to make that choice. If that's what you decide to do please know that a lot of us will mourn with you.

@terrilhb Please try to choose what you know in your heart is best for Sara. Just try to remember that some things are beyond your control despite every attempt you make.

yes @terrilhb what FEM said, I read your/her story this evening too and from what I can tell you have done every thing in your power to help her. raising animals isn't always easy but it's worth it. many of us have all felt the pain you are going thru and we will indeed mourn with you.

terrilhb said:

Sadly I am asking when do you know it is time to put a goat down. As many now my doe Sara has been ill. I was optimistic but now am wondering. She was acting better but know is falling down more and crying all the time. I swear if I have to put Sara down I think I might sell all of my flock. Obviously I have failed her. I am heart broken.

Click to expand...

Please Don't give up on goats. A lot of us have felt your pain and gone through what you are going through. And it seems to be always your favorite, no fair! But you can't quit. Please don't quit. The grief, the tears, the sadness, blaming yourself and wondering why? We will grieve with you, pour your heart out. But if you let the grief overtake you and quit, you will miss the joy.

I had a terrible time last year. I lost twin lambs, then I had to put the ewe down. The next ewe that lambed had twins had a ewe lamb born with her internal organs outside of her body and I had to put her down. I was devastated. I shed a lot of tears last year. Do you know who grieved with me? My BYH friends. They had my back. We will have yours.

If I had quit, I would have missed the joy of the rest of the lambs that were born. This year, I had twin lambs born on New Year's Eve. The ewe lamb has a perfect heart marking on her knee and she is named Eve. A lamb was born this morning in the worst winter here since 1957. My husband named her Winter.

For all the pain, for all the tears, for all the sadness, I keep on keeping on because of the happiness, the joy, the wonder of birth, the way Miranda climbs the fence and hangs her head over for treats. Sometimes it hurts, but I'll take the hurt so I can have the joy.

We have your back.

@terrilhb we have an 11yr old doe that is really a sweetheart, but she is having some difficulties too. We know we are facing a tough choice not too far down the road, but it is a part of the responsibility of owning and raising them. Sometimes, when ya see that there is an pending situation just ahead, it is better to avoid the suffering for both the animal and the owner. It shouldn't be a deterrant for ya from owning goats all together and sure doesn't reflect back on you as an irresponsible owner either. As @Baymule has said, ya would miss out on the Joys of the other animals that haven't experienced your level of concern and care yet. Some things are beyond anyone's control, but have to be dealt with....even with humans.....

terrilhb said:

Sadly I am asking when do you know it is time to put a goat down. As many now my doe Sara has been ill. I was optimistic but now am wondering. She was acting better but know is falling down more and crying all the time. I swear if I have to put Sara down I think I might sell all of my flock. Obviously I have failed her. I am heart broken.

Click to expand...

You absolutely have not failed Sara. Quite the opposite. You have been there, beside her, doing all that you can. You have worked with your vet, taken on an overwhelming task.
@terrilhb when we can't fix it, we feel the way you are feeling. Everyone following your story has been there, we are feeling this with you, but I know we cannot feel the depths of that self doubt.
I just want to share and remind you, sometimes it is just beyond our control- out of our hands.
Only you can know when enough is enough and that you are with her, see her and love her...

I don't know why sometimes there are no answers, no rhyme or reason. Those are the hardest and in your mind you will go over and over and question everything, desperately trying to think of something you missed or could have done or why... the list goes on and on and you can make yourself sick over it. It is hard to step back, breathe deeply and find that place of peace.
I pray you find peace in your mind and heart. My heart aches for you. Hang in there you have not failed.

A few more pics of the snow event.

Zephyr always happy to greet us!


Poor Ruth.

I thought this was Lucy but I think it is Lemon... during the snow I think she is trying to eat snowflakes.


Snow mushrooms


Ruby trying to give a kiss. Blue always with his favorite goat, Ruby with her favorite dog.

Tiny

LOL The baby goats weren't allowed out the first day- too deep. After much hollering GW brought them out.
They quickly realized they weren't impressed, they learned quickly to get on a worn path.... so they could trudge through to their human! Once there they climbed up into GW's lap and she carried them back to their stall.