Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Pictures!!

Well, the new digital camera finally came so I can post some belated pictures of the aftereffects of what the goats suffered.

Here is a picture of Sable, bent neck and all. Her neck is permanently bent in this position. Its still pretty scabby and scaly looking. She was doing much better until a couple weeks ago when all of a sudden she couldn't walk again. I suspect Lucy head butted her and screwed up her broken neck even more. She's back to walking now, actually more stumbling about like a drunk from a now pinched spinal nerve (thank you, Lucy), but I usually have to help her to her feet. As of last night when I saw Lucy haul off and butt her for no reason as she trying to hide up against the side of the barn, I've decided that when the goats are out when I'm home Lucy will either have to stay shut up in the barn or locked back in the back pasture. Sable needs to be out in the sunshine and fresh air, and Lucy can be the one to pay the consequences.Lucy's face has healed so incredibly that I still just can't believe that's the same goat who's eye we thought was missing and her whole face was covered in blood! Her eye has healed so well that you can barely see the scar on the inside corner anymore.She also had a huge half dollar size hole in her opposite cheek, and that scab just finally fell off last week. You can kinda see it in this shot.When I went out to take pictures of the goats just now and let them out for some fresh air, something sort of strange happened. I was greeted with this just inside the barn door:What on earth?! Then when Louie, who was still half shaved from our last shearing attempt, came walking out of the barn, I didn't even recognize him! All of his remaining long hair has fallen off...TODAY! So now there's half a goat in a pile on the barn floor and another half a goat, namely Louie, walking around looking much smaller and scrawnier. I'm sure its terribly embarrassing for him at the moment, but even his beard is in the process of abandoning him and is currently dangling from his chin. I did no think that Angoras naturally shed their hair... maybe it's from the stress of the attack? Or maybe it's just this first glimpse of South Carolina summer heat that we're feeling and his body was like, "Yea, not gonna be needing THIS anymore!"

Louie shows his battle scars off to full effect. Thats because whole pieces of his ears are missing.Tierra is doing extremely well, and is still in milk for me. Here's a picture of her beautiful udder, scars and all. The dark splotch is a scar from a decent size tear she had from the dog attack. Feel free to take a moment and admire those teats, though, so uniform... so perfectly sized for a human hand...And what blog post would be complete without a picture of my big helper, Jell-O face and all?

8 comments:

Christy said...

Poor Sable, she looks pretty awful. I'm glad the remaining goats are doing so well.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Oh Kayte,

I don't know how you manage to look at poor injured Sable and keep trying to nurse her back to health. I must be such a weaker person because looking at her seriously ravaged neck just looks excruciatingly painful and I know I'd have already sent her off to sail over the merciful Rainbow Bridge.
You are one tough, brave, strong cookie, girlfrind.

I have no idea why Louie lots his wool. Angoras don't typically do that.
Noone sheared my Luna for over a year and she still had the same coat when she came her to live. It was nasty, too.
Maybe you're right and the stress made him lose all his wool, though.

I'm glad to see you posting, especially the pics and I hope you will share some of what you've personally been up to lately, too.

Anonymous said...

I really had no idea the degree of Sable's injury although described with much detail- my heart is so sad for what it must be to be her right now. Miss you- you are still in my thoughts each day and I hope your family is well.

Anonymous said...

Those are some tough goats! To go through what they did an still up and about is amazing. I am so sorry you have to look at them this way. How's everything coming along with the new plan?

Marigold said...

I am still very sad about all this. Leave it to Lucy to go after someone when they are down. I believe she must be related to Ella. Nonetheless, I am glad to see everyone is coming along and I hope you now own a gun. :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing! I am so sorry that you have to give up your dream for now! When the time is right.... Take care!
Christina

Danni said...

I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you guys today and hoping you are well.
danni

getyergoat-goatgifts said...

I have not read the entire story as of yet but wanted to commend you for the work you are doing with Sable. I have a goat whose neck was not broken but is similar (not as bad as your baby) she has a congenital deformity and I found that dexamethasone (vet Rx) helps reduce the swelling when she falls on her neck - read her story and you will see some of the other treatments I have done with her and what related problems she had.

Read The Story of BabyGirl on my website http://Goat-Link.com
God Bless you and Sable and all your others OH BTW usually when an angora goats blows it's coat as your boy did - look back about 3-4 weeks and you should remember him being sick - when they run a fever from upper respiratory or some other reason , in 3-4 weeks after the fever in any season they will blow their coats as he did. Hope this sheds light on things for you. goatlady