RE: Adventures in goatkeeping
My delivery experience was very long and very painful. That informs every birth I attend, no matter who the mother is! I did everything I could to make her experience as comfortable as possible, but I didn't go into detail because I wasn't sure people wanted to hear the gory truths about birth. As I know you know, it's not as glamorous as it looks on TV!
There is still a huge amount of pressure involved! This was not my goat, so any mistakes I made would have repurcussions far beyond the actual event. I feel like it's a huge privilege to watch anything come into the world, and even more so if I get to be a part of it.
I get a lot of calls from people who have gotten my number from the feed store and need some goat help. Usually it's not midwifing, but sometimes it is. This one was special, and I will get to watch these little goats grow up. I am still feeling like I dodged a bullet. The whole thing could have gone so much more terribly.
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How sweet that you help out so many people, and that the feed store has your number on hand. Sounds classic small town.
Those baby goats are ridiculously cute. I can imagine the pressure, because I would feel it too. Life is so precious, all life. I say a prayer for roadkill on a regular basis, but I think we have talked about that already :)
Each experience must be giving you knew knowledge and ability to handle the future. I suppose one take away from this one was to not give up.
Aren't they adorable? I will go get more pictures this weekend. They should be a little bouncier by then.
You're right; every new experience teaches me new skills, and I won't be as nervous the next time. Goat emergencies always happen after hours when the vet bill would be cumbersome, so we really try to do as much as possible by ourselves. Fortunately we have an amazing vet who is always available via text, and she will walk me through whatever I need to do.
We have definitely discussed the roadkill! Haha! I feel like this is going to sound weird, but I often think of you when I see roadkill, because I know you would be doing what I am doing. I thought of you when I wrote the bit about drinking wine in the barn.
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I didn't realize goats licked like a dog until I read this post. They certainly look dog-like. How nice that vet makes herself available. I took a chicken to our farm vet once, and they seemed to have no idea what they were doing, and also seemed to think I was a crazy person for bringing in a chicken :D Glad to hear goat vets are a little more open minded.
Lol! I am honored that you think of me when you see roadkill. Funny, I have thought of you when I have my weekly sit-down with my good friend. I could see you mixing right in.
It is very hard to find a good goat vet in this country! Mine is awesome. She treats all large animals and will give me advice about the dogs, even though she doesn't treat them.
Goats can be like dogs. They are very smart and just as affectionate. I have one who likes to lick my arms when I've been out working. I think she likes the salt. Little weirdo.
I would love to join you for your weekly visit! I will be there in spirit.
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Ha, my dog does the nasty sweat licking thing too :)
I could pretend it's done out of love, but I know better!
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