Two weeks ago, life delivered a shocking blow.
Recently I signed with a publisher to write my memoir. In order to have more time to write I let the goats go to another farm. The other farm couldn’t be more fabulous. Even pulling up to the entrance makes me sigh in appreciation. The beautiful fencing, brick and wrought iron gate and giant crepe myrtle trees are divine. Since my own farm is far from manicured anymore (goats are forces of nature) I’m always happy to visit a well cared for property.
The long driveway is like a meandering paved stream where you have no idea what beautiful scenery is around each corner. Every fence, every body of water and the grounds in general are well-maintained and clean.
I knew from the sense of peace I had walking around this was the right place and people to keep my babies. Even the wild geese and ducks seem to have no intention of ever leaving this heaven on earth.
It only took a week for tragedy to strike. I received a call that made my blood run cold. Random dogs broke in and killed all but one goat…Maybelle, my first and oldest goat. She was somehow still alive but not well.
I couldn’t get to her fast enough.
I arrived to find my baby girl covered in mud from head to toe. Her body was cold and she was whimpering like a baby. The inside of her mouth was almost pure white. She recognized me immediately and cried. I couldn’t see through the mud to find injuries but there was no blood on the ground. I was able to find scrape marks from claws down one side of her.
Somehow I’d had the presence of mind before I left my house to bring a banana with me – her favorite treat other than kudzu. She surprised me by eating it, giving me a smidge of hope.
We tried moving her but she screamed loudly. Maybelle isn’t a screamer so this was alarming. We wanted to get her away from the scene of horror where she had just lost her adult baby girl but decided against it.
Of course, all the area vets weren’t available for various reasons but one recommended not moving her and giving her steroid shots to combat the shock. I was able to brush the dried mud off her easily and discovered puncture wounds and a nasty tear from a canine tooth. We did everything we could to make her eat and drink and keep her comfortable. She cried out and whimpered for almost three days but she was surviving.
I’d seen Maybelle face off to many dogs over the years so I suspect the only reason she was the sole survivor was because she fought back. In fact, when the carnage was discovered the dogs were still in the pen with the goats leaving Maybelle to sit in shock nearby the predators.
These dogs are owned by someone. They appeared well fed and one had a collar. When dogs destroy like this they lose their right to roam. It’s the law of the land in the country that if your dog(s) are dangerous they will be lucky to make it home. We are still looking for these dogs. They had to cross many acres and a lot of fencing and barriers to find their way to the heart of the property to murder goats.
Finally, the fifth day after the attack we were able to move Maybelle home to me – and to her Luca. Luca was overjoyed to see her again and Maybelle instantly knew she was home and safe.
Upon being placed on the ground she was suddenly unable to walk on her back legs. According to the vet, this isn’t unusual to have an injury to the muscle or tendons reveal themselves days after the fact. He said it can take time for the tissue to die. So, we watched in horror as Maybelle dragged herself back to her bed in the barn. She was crying in pain but the expression on her face was complete determination – and relief.
I’ll spare you the pictures of her struggle we took for the vet prior to his visit.
It’s been two weeks today since her brutal attack. All the vets warned she may not make it and will have a long road to recovery. She hasn’t left the barn but moves within a 10 foot radius around the area at will. I’m letting her do as she pleases. Her daily shots are over, much to all our relief. Her wounds seem to be healing well and not bothering her as much.
I have to forage leaves and greens for her a few times a day which isn’t as easy as one would think – goats can eat a lot. But that being said, I’m so happy to do it. In a few days she will be getting her leg splint. She will have to wear it for three months and have it changed regularly. So now we enter another round of tough times for my poor girl.
Please send positive vibes to my sweet girl.
