We are anxiously awaiting the first kids and kidding season here at the Promise Ranch. I think our herd queen and matriarch will go first. Of course, I've been wrong before! And, I always try to keep in mind the Does' Secret Code of Honor. The Does' Secret Code of Honor is as old as goats themselves and is ultimately the species best kept secret. No Doe shall kid before its time. Its time being determined by the following factors:
- No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reache...
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It's been a discouraging couple of days for me, as Doc has had a difficult time dealing with his recovery in the freezing temperatures we've been having. He had a coat, a heater and a heat lamp, but when he tried to get up, his old body just couldn't do it. Thankfully, we've gone back to more "seasonal" temps! Yesterday, when in the sling, doc was doing much better. He was putting weight on his front legs again, and even tried to jump toward the banana I was offering him for incentive! Thanks... Continue reading ...
This cold weather we've been having has taken it's toll on Doc, and greatly slowed his recovery. It feels like he's giving up, and my heart is breaking. Doc is no longer trying to stand, I know his legs are tired, as is his old body. I'm hoping that with warmer temperatures in the week ahead, we'll see continued progress! I love this big, stubborn, stinky ol' goat! He has to keep trying to get better. He HAS to get up and stand... His personality is back completely, down to shoving his head in... Continue reading ...
Great news today!
After being in the sling for about 30-45 minutes, I untied the ropes to let Doc down. Only, when I did so, he didn't go down. He stood on his own! His right front leg is still pretty useless, but I could see him putting weight on it, and figuring it all out. He laid down on his own, in a very controlled motion, after about 15 minutes. He was exhausted, but what a triumphant day!
I got him a coat in preparation for the cold week ahead... It wouldn't be necessary, except he ca... Continue reading ...
I already blogged about Doc today, but tonight, he amazed me yet again! I took him a lovely dinner of spinach and mustard greens, along with his apple juice cocktail. When I peeked cautiously through the crack in the door, I was elated when I saw that Doc had remained in the sternal position! He hadn't tipped over! It was 5 hours since his PT session, and my last visit. I noticed, too, that he wasn't in the same place that I left him in... He hadn't moved far, but he had scooted about 2' forwa... Continue reading ...
... Doc just keeps on goin'! Last night I was so worried about Doc. He just looked so tired and depressed. I took him treats, and stayed longer with him than I usually do, but he remained very solemn... This morning, he was very much the same. He ate his breakfast, and is drinking some, but his head was low, and not much like the proud buck I know and love. After his breakfast, I had a lot of running around to do. I hated leaving Doc alone for so long, but it had to be done! When I returned home... Continue reading ...
On my way home from the vet's office with my very sick patient, I made a phone call to my husband. I wanted him to be prepared for what he was going to see when I got my cargo home. I explained to him that Doc looked very much like he did before. I went on to tell him the improvements he made in the two days at the vet's office. We knew that when we got home, we would have to turn our goat barn into a makeshift GICU (Goat Intensive Care Unit).
To get the barn ready for our patient, we made su... Continue reading ...
In the first and very short post of this blog, I said I was going to discuss the ups and downs of being owned by goats. I really don't want to start it this way, but this story must be told...
Right now, at the Promise Ranch, we're dealing with a killer. Goat polio is a swift and merciless killer of goats. It doesn't care about pedigree, size, or strength of its victims. It strikes without warning. Even with aggressive treatment, the mortality rate of this diabolical disease is 80%. There a... Continue reading ...
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About Me
| Dani Hicks |
| North Central Texas |
I am a stay at home mom, and I'm owned by a herd of wacky and wonderful goats....
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