Saturday, June 13, 2009
Picky the Goat
On a cold winter day I arrived at the farm and started my routine. As I walked through my Dad's living room I noticed a box on the floor with a blanket folded up in it. My first though was I guess I should see if that is a cat blanket that needs to be washed. On closer inspection I saw a tiny head peering from under the blanket. I immediately went to the kitchen and asked Dad about our new arrival. He explained the neighbor was taking care of a local farm while the owners were away and she found this goat that was near death. Dad said he was just keeping it while she was in school. So as with all the sick ones that arrive it was time to set up the "sick room" where they stay until they are better. The crate, the blankets and the food and water. So as I was taking "Picky" into the room I noticed that she was VERY ill. Her tongue was hanging out and she was very warm. I decided to unwrap her and try to get her to drink. She drank only drips. I was just glad to know that she would not die alone and cold today. As I left the farm that day I was sure that she would not be alive when I returned. Boy, was I wrong. Although months and months passed with a goat living in the house and lots and lots of goat poop later, I am pleased to say that Picky is one healthy, beautiful, ornery critter. I am always amazed what a little TLC can do for a very sick, neglected and frightened animal. As Sonia, Dad and I can attest to a little love goes a long way.
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Hannah and Tigger
She still swears she is taking Tigger when she has a place of her own. She's only 17!
Scotchie and Bootsie
Scotchie in his better days...R.I.P. We love you Scotchie
Buster
Blind in one eye but as playful as any! Climbs up my leg is I don't hold him while trying to do chores.
Mr. Goatee
Hanging with the cows.
LoverBoy, Whitey, Willie
Best Buds
Tigger
He's just a cuddler and a loverboy
Diamond
Diamond is a girls bestfriend!
Pretty Girl
Petite little girl
Bella
She arrived on the farm as just a baby with a little pink collar with a bell...hence the name Bella.
Frito
Mommy, that light is bright!
Partner
Loner and Crybaby
Bootsie
Kind of a bully with the other cats but loves people
Grayson
He just won't let me tame him...yet!
MommaKitty and Diamond
Momma is spayed now..no more kittens.
Our Dad and Our Poppy
Lookin at the Garden
Big Momma
R.I.P. She was about 24 years old.
Goldy and Jack
They really are friends....
Picky and Jantje
Picky showing who's boss!
At the farm
Typical shot of Dad leaning over truck reading the newspaper with Midnight and Winnie
Way cool! Is there a pic of Picky on the blog?
ReplyDeleteYes, she is the one with my son, Jantje.
ReplyDeleteboy, did this bring back a flood of memories. i really did not expect Picky to live either. i can just picture Dad there with her that cold, bitter and windy winter day inside with the fire burning. i can see him with little picky on the kitchen table, holding her head up trying to get her to drink warm bottled milk, wrapped in a blanket. probably his bedspread (i might even venture to say the one Hannah handmade for him, just joking) but you know what i mean.
ReplyDeletePicky lived in the farmhouse for a long time before moving outside.
I can tell you one thing, I am sure BOTH OF US absolutely DO NOT MISS sweeping up goat poop. for our readers out there who don't know, goat poop looks like marbles (it's about the size as marbles and rolls like marbles). a goat poops all day and it comes in about 100 marbles (seems like zillions) at a time. well, try sweeping up marbles. this is when you needs lots of patience. and of course they would roll under the permanent heating thinkies, i want to say gladiators (i can't think of the name) where you had to get down on your knees and push them out with a paper towel.
ok, so the vet said, livestock is not meant to be in the house. try telling our dad that bit of information. after months and months of picky and endless rolling marbles in the room living with some of our resident kitties, dad finally decides to build a pen (a pretty big pen) for picky, a friend of our Dad helps build the unit right outside the farmhouse door. not a pretty picture but..... it is serving the purpose for picky to move outside yipeeeeee (mind you, this is just during the
daylight hours now). each night little miss picky shall be escorted back into the house. this went on for several more months. so
now picky stays outside all the time, but wait. another unit had to be built for your highness under a shade tree where she could see all the
happenings on the farm. since she does not get along very well with the other critters, the one and only, Miss Picky would have her own house. By the way, Picky got her name because she is very picky about what she chooses to eat. Who'd a thunk it.....
As i read this I can picture Picky peering down the long country lane with a full view of the farmhouse, garage, barn, tractor shed, dairy, a full view of the cow pasture, and my house. I just don't think she can view the sheep barn. I don't think we could mention this to Dad, do you?
I am so glad you had a picture of Scotchie!
ReplyDeleteCleo and world peace (he means business too)! What a great picture!
ReplyDeleteHannah and Tigger. Hannah, my sweet kind, beautiful, smart, caring niece. words can't even begin to describe Hannah. To know her is to love her.
ReplyDeleteTigger (the pioneer to kitties living in the farmhouse).
I can see Picky standing on the picnic table trying to be taller than Jantje. better the table and not one of our vehicles. i really want to keep the hoof dents down a litte. looks like Picky is teasing Jantje. once down off the table, she probably reared up on all two's.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at Gladiator...it's Radiators (sp?) and Gladiator was one of the Donkeys (aka..Brownie)..and yes somedays even now I call myself the Poop Lady...out loud and too my self. One good thing about "marble" poop it's actually easier to clean up than kitty,dog,donkey,cow well you get the picture...
ReplyDeleteI love your story of Picky so much because every last word of it is so true. I couldn't have said it better....remember everyday Dad would say, "that goat is going to stay outside starting "tomorrow"." Tomorrow went on for months and months.
And oh yes, Picky has left her trademark on my Durango. She mistakingly thought it was going to be an easy climb like the Rotten Pumpkin. How many people can say, "that is just hoof marks"? One good thing is it makes me feel better that I can't afford a new one cause the farm has a way of "taking it out" on a vehicle. You know, if it isn't the driveway tearing up the front end, it's the poop on the shoe trick.
And dear sweet Hannah, my broken hearted Hannah, to know her is to love her... thanks for that...I told her this evening I hope she stops crying soon because I cry when she crys and it's exhausting. It certainly is a roller coaster ride right now. But she is so smart and strong I know she will be okay. I am so proud of her.
for the life of me i could not think of radiator, it did not dawn on me that it might rhyme with gladiator. that was trying me crazy, so i'm glad you knew what i was talking about..... thank u
ReplyDelete