I am done. Call me a quitter if you want for that is what I am. I am done with goats. At least for milking and (right now) for everything.
Ruby is dead. I just discovered her. Flora (her mother) has mites which came from straw we bought. It is a fight to get her. She is spraying milk all over the place and when I do get her, I can't get her on the milking stand. The stupid dogs are barking and snarling at her so in this small milking area, she is trying to get away from me and attack/run away from the dogs and my wrist is getting twisted off. She manages to break from my grip and I go to readjust and come away with a handful of fur thanks to the mites.
I did manage to get her sprayed down before just saying "screw it" and letting her go. She still needs to be milked so when George gets home from church, I will try again.
No more goats. I quit. That means my goat milk soap making business will be gone. That means contracts will be broken. That means my dreams will be destroyed. That means we will have to get our milk, cheese, yogurt, soap, the old-fashioned way. Buying it all.
I am tired of fighting the dogs to get to the goats. I am tired of fighting the goats to get to the milk. How many more injuries can I take? How many more dead baby goats do I have to deal with?
4 comments:
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to loose an animal. We had considered getting goats here but I didn't think that I had what it took to handle it. I'll pray that it gets easier for you.
Oh, Kim, I'm sorry. How stressful that sounds.
Laura (ZT)
Maybe you could put the dogs on a leash on the other side of the house, or in the garage while you are trying to milk?? If it is quieter, maybe the goats would relax better for you. Teach them (the dogs) to herd the goats?? Like you have time to teach them to herd . . . . . It sounds like the dogs and the goats are having a good time. They probably think they are playing with you.
Anyway, I'm sorry it is so difficult right now. I don't think you are a quitter -- I think you have had a great deal of stress recently and your pressure valve is about to whistle. I'm hoping things will get better!
I'm sorry about Ruby. I definitely know how that feels. Do you have any d.earth for Flora?
My goats have always hated dogs too. So do the cows.
Sasha
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