For the love of goats

I understand the difference between livestock and pets but have a hard time reconciling that.  Our dog Sam was diagnosed with lymphoma just over a year ago. He’s been a loyal and loving member of our family for 13+ years.  The treatment protocols were going to be expensive and there are never any guarantees that they will be successful.  We bit the bullet and forged ahead.  Two months into treatment he tore a ligament and would require TPLO surgery.  In for a penny, in for a pound, we elected for the surgery.  Shortly thereafter he came down with pneumonia and had to be rushed to emergency for installation of a cannula system to ensure adequate oxygen delivery to his lungs.  Our rescue dog had just become a ” Golden Retriever”.  He’s still with us and doing very well.  

To realize how difficult these decisions were for me you would have to know how I was raised.  Pets were luxuries.  Often time luxuries you couldn’t afford.  Sometimes situations arose that would force you to choose between emotional attachment and fiscal responsibility.  In Sam’s case, his many years of love and affection dictated that we do everything possible to ensure his quality of life.  Many people questioned that decision but money doesn’t lick your face or greet you every time you walk through the door.

Then there’s livestock.  We have a baby doeling.  About 10 days after she was born she broke her leg.  She had already been adopted by good people and left in our care until she would be old enough to leave her mother.  Total sale price $200.  That includes disbudding, all vaccinations, worming and general examination by a qualified veterinarian.  Now we were left with a hard decision.  Reason dictated that we cut our losses and try to splint it ourselves or have her put down.  Responsibility, on the other hand, dictated we do everything in our power to give this little girl the best chance at a happy life, so off we went to UC Davis large animal teaching hospital.  We’re only 15 miles away or so but that is an incredibly long time in ta he car with a screaming baby goat.  It was 10:00 pm Saturday evening and roughly $600 dollars later that we headed home with our charge.  She’s been staying in a dog crate in the house.  She is carried to her mom for feeding four times a day.  The splint has to be changed regularly and we have to do physical therapy every three days.  

This level of care takes endless patience, comes at a financial premium and from a farming point of view makes absolutely no sense.  Here’s the catch.  By working with this baby girl everyday she has become something very sweet and precious.  Her new family will be receiving a very socialized animal and to them she will be a pet, not just livestock.  I didn’t get into ranching/ farming because it would make we wealthy in monetary sense, I did it so I could be wealthy in a spiritual sense.  Knowing that helps me to make the best choices for all the animals in my care.  It helps me make choices I can live with.  To see her now, playing and growing into a wonderful young doe tells me we made the right decision.  The joy I receive from watching her far outweighs the time and money spent.