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| Summer |
This week I lost Sky, my favorite doe.
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| Sky and her baby Summer. Photo from July 2025 |
At 8½ years of age Sky was my oldest doe and my best tempered. I really had no clue anything was wrong other than she had been quite picky about her feed for the past several weeks. That in itself isn't all that unusual, but then she developed severe scours and stopped eating altogether. I had recently wormed my goats so I added a coccidiosis treatment, vitamin B and iron shots, and Nutri-Drench. Two days later she was gone.
That in itself is incredibly hard, but worse, she left behind her 9-week-old doeling, Summer.
Baby Summer is able to eat well on her own, but I really, really like for them to be on their mother's milk for at least 12 weeks or longer. They seem to grow so much better that way. Plus, things born or hatched of a mother need a mother. It's the way things are. Summer is now an orphan.
One concern for lone kids is that they get picked on by the other goats. Fortunately, Sky was very firm that no one was allowed to mess with her baby, so they've accepted her. She gets butted around some, but mostly the others don't bother her.
Only once has Summer cried for her mother and gone to look for her. I let her see and smell the body before we took it away. Somehow, animals have an understanding and acceptance of death. That doesn't mean she doesn't miss her mother, but she's doing pretty well anyway. Being a single with no other kids her age around, she doesn't have a playmate or companion. So she's mostly by herself. She follows the other goats but stays out of their way.
I haven't tried to give her a bottle because once kids are used to the teat they refuse it. I'm making sure she gets feed with extra protein and calcium.
I'm going to be sad about this for a long time.
36 comments:
Oh Leigh, that's heartbreaking.
Oh, no! I’m so sorry for your sorrow. Please give yourself what you need to honor your grief. Blessings…
Thanks Michelle. It's always hard to lose them.
Thanks Daisy, I'm sad for two of us.
Leigh, I am so sorry to hear this.
I'm so sorry to hear you've lost your sweet doe.
Thanks Kristina.
Thank you Laurie.
It is tough losing an animal you care for. I can relate.
On a totally separate note but something I need to type out before I forget to tell you, I received your first book in the mail and have gotten part way through it. It is nice to connect the dots. Near as I can remember, I came to your blog when you were revising your master plan yet and hadn't begun work on the barn or fences so it was nice to hear the rest of the story before the story I have come to know.
Isaiah 40:11: "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart."
You'd be an awesome neighbor, Leigh
Ed, thank you for that! It's an ongoing journey and I wrote the sequel when the first book became somewhat outdated. Someday I should probably write a follow-up, but that probably won't be for a very long while.
Michael, what a nice thing to say, thank you! Prov. 27:23 also comes to mind about being diligent to know the condition of our flocks. When things like this happen, I feel like I've failed in that responsibility. Not that we're in control of anything, but being a good steward is something to strive for at all times.
Oh, I'm so sorry. That's so tough on everyone. Hopefully little one will grow up healthy and sweet natured too
Nancy, she'll probably be spoiled. :)
So far so good. One of the other does who likes babies seems to be keeping an eye on her. Not exactly mothering her, but sticking near her. So that's good. They do grow quickly.
That so sad. I know that you'll help her grow up strong and happy though.
My condolences. Animals become members of the family. It is hard when you love and deeply care for them when something happens. In memory of Sky.
Anonymous, I know she'll be okay. Animals are often separated from their mothers at a young age. It's just not my preference. But, these things happen and we just have to adapt as best we can.
Mr O, thank you. They definitely become part of our lives.
I am so sorry, Leigh. I have fond memories of Sky through you. Animals become such a part of our lives.
I'm sorry! It is hard to loose them unexpectedly. At least you have her young daughter to keep her spirit going. My oldest turns 10 in Dec or Jan and I foolishly bred her in the latest breeding session. It wasn't planned but she determined it was the plan, and I didn't hop to it and separate them immediately. She's in great condition so I'm praying for a good outcome. I have 5 due early Dec. My condolences.
Thanks TB. I like getting to know one another's animals through our blogs. And it's nice to be able to share our ups and downs.
Annie, 5 due in December! Wow. I hope you have mild days for the events.
Having Summer helps. And I also have an older doe of Sky's, so Summer's half-sister. They do have a way of determining things, don't they? Of course, mine plan on it earlier than I want, so I have to put up with monthly hollering sessions until they finally get their way.
Oh Leigh, I'm so sorry about Sky - this is a huge loss, I know. And I understand completely about ups and downs of a singleton youngster in the herd, too...you know she'll be fine, but it's just not the way it's meant to be.
(Even though she'll do fine without milk, you might try her with a bottle, in part for the comfort she might take from the process, and the contact. I had to do that with a couple of kids about the same age as Summer, and I think it took 2 sessions for them to adjust. Just a thought - hope you don't mind.)
Quinn, that's it exactly. And thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to give it a try.
I feel for you Leigh and Summer, it is heartbreaking when you have a great farm animal and friend. I was deeply saddened when I lost my does and kids for no apparent reason.
Thanks Kevin. It never stops being hard, does it?
No it doesn't Leigh, you are a part of them and they are a part of you. There is love there.
So sorry that is the worst:(
I'm so sorry. Summer is adorable.
Kevin, indeed. And with animals it's a special bond because they are dependent on us for so many things. I guess that's where the sense of responsibility comes from, even if there's nothing we could do about it.
Thanks Debby. I think it is the worst. It's hard to lose the kids, but to lose the mother is harder on everybody. I'm just thankful Summer is able to eat on her own.
Thank you Sharon. It's very nice to hear from you.
Dear Leigh, I am an animal lover, aged 68, will be 69 later this month, and my heart goes out to you! It's always so sad to lose a beloved pet, and it never gets easier as one ages.
Your photos are beautiful.
Linda, your kind words mean a lot, thank you.
And if I may, an early Happy Birthday! I hope it's a lovely one.
I'm so sorry about the loss of Sky, that must be heartbreaking. It is so sad to lose a beloved animal. I hope that Summer will be doing well.
Carola, it is heartbreaking and I appreciate your kind words. Summer seems to be doing very well, which is my best comfort for it.
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