Friday, November 13, 2015

Animal Memories: Further


2009-2015
Further, our first goat, just passed.  She, along with her sister Sorrelina, were purchased from a dairy farm near Syracuse.  Gene named her Further for the distance we drove to purchase her.
.........details vary as to the life expectancy of a goat. For sure, the dairy business kills their ladies not long after their 6th year - if that long.  It is a fact, most dairy animals have short lifespans.
However, our goats are treated like pets - they are not over bred, given a variety of pasture, hay, and feed.  Yet, some of them have succumbed to scours  - it is very difficult to overcome.  At times, our goat, Further,  perked up, but once she was unable to steady herself on her own four legs - we knew she was not much longer for this world.

I wonder if the goat people who sold these goats had this problem in the herd? Many people report a 6 year lifespan for their goats, yet science reports a lifespan into 18 years of age. As caregivers, we want to give them the best possible life - which includes - quality, comfort, and time!  We'll keep trying and report back on successes and failures...


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