Adventure Goat

Yumi has been FOUND!

Can you believe it? She went missing nearly three weeks ago. I had honestly given up all hope of finding her, had spent hours searching, putting up posters, posting online. There are so many coyotes, stray dogs, wild pigs, and of course, the dangers of people themselves. I felt that surely Yumi had fallen victim to one thing or another and was terribly sad.

So imagine my surprise when I got a phone call this morning telling me they think they have my goat!

She apparently came up and tried to play with an older man's grandchildren over the weekend.

He caught her and penned her up with his chickens, unsure of where she came from. He saw my poster at the Post Office this morning and gave me a call.

She was found over *ten* miles away. Astonishing. Especially for a goat, since goats don't tend to wander far. I wish she could tell me all about it!

She appears to be in fairly good health and unhurt. I've put her with her sister and she settled right in, eating hay and snoozing in the sun. I wonder how her adventure will affect her pregnancy, but I suppose we will find out in the spring. She is due March/April. I hope, being so early on in her pregnancy, she will not abort, but it's always possible of course.

On another note, I have been featured on Fugly Horse of the Day. I submitted several posts, and currently two of my most offensive horse slaughter related posts are being discussed. I'm certain the more rabid followers of FHOTD will have themselves twisted into knots over it, so I'm sure the comments will be fun for all of you to read! I personally may not read the comments past what I have already peeked at, for I have no interest in reading ignorant insults.

Have a great week everyone!

Lost and One Found

So, as a follow up to my last post . . .

One doe has been found!

It turns out, the silly creatures went at LEAST a mile that very first night. The red doe, pictured on this post, got herself pinned in a shed by dogs. The dog owners rescued her and penned her up.

They finally asked at the local feed store, where I had left my information, then called me. I'm glad I thought of that. So the goat, newly named Gypsy, has come home.

Her escape route has been blocked and she has stayed in the pen. Since she no longer has her sister Yumi, I gave her April as a companion and she seems to be settling down now. She appears to be in good shape, except a little thin from stress. She's a bit shy as well, but runs right to me if she thinks I have something yummy, and will allow me to pet and handle her.

She's pregnant, due in February. I'm fairly sure I felt some kids in there! And she has begun to grow her udder. So she'll be the first one here to kid. Since her kids will be purebred and unrelated to any bucks I currently use, I may retain a doeling. You can see the buck she is bred to on the breeding schedule of our website.

We still have hope that we might find Yumi, but as each day goes by, the likelihood decreases. At this point we're just calling around and leaving the information where ever seems hopeful. You never know what might help.

The support from the community has been great, thanks guys. It's a good reminder of what a great group of online friends I have. And it's nice to make new friends. The breeder of these does is a great example of what I might be in 25 years! She's been hugely helpful, helping me search and calling around as well. She brought me some goat meat and is butchering a turkey for me as well. She also found someone with rabbits who needs to do a cull, so I will have some nice rabbits to butcher here soon.

In this world, banding together is the only way some families will make it. Put aside material items and remember the REAL needs in life!