Little John’s surgery was scheduled for Ash Wednesday. Keats and I made the hour and a half trip to the vet together, just as we did last time. The surgery was lengthy and a bit involved, but in the end all necessary parts were removed, and we returned home with our drowsy goat.
Jonny spent that day replacing our broken kitchen faucet only to realize after installing the new one that it was itself broken, and he would need to start over. “Welcome to Lent,” I joked.
We ended up making the decision to keep Little John indoors to recover, at least until the current cold snap we are in passed. The vet agreed with our decision, as did Little John. He never forgot his early days inside. We joked about our “house goat” and were amused at the way he would head straight back to the front door to be let in after his potty breaks. Once inside, he would settle down in front of the woodstove. But, as he lost his appetite we began to worry.
I feel like I have spent most of the last four days watching Little John and wondering what else we should do, willing him to eat. I spoke to the vets multiple times. We tried so many things to bring him back, but nothing worked. No one expected it, but he died this evening in our living room, surrounded by many, many tears. I am so tired after all the worry and intense focus on him. Everything feels a little odd and off kilter. But this is the way it goes. Goats, we have learned, are delicate creatures.
This week promises to warm up and I have already seen daffodils blooming. I know that we’ll all feel much better in a few days.
Rest in peace, Little John.
Oh sweet Ginny. I know how hard this is… You did everything, though, and how wonderful that he was so loved.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about Little John! The stories about your goats are my favorites. Fortunately he couldn’t have a better family than yours. So much love around him. Rest in peace, little goat.
So sad! It is a tiny picture of the Lord’s love that is expressed in our affection for our animals. May He surround you with His loving kindness!!
Oh Ginny. I’m so sorry!!
I never get used to the death that accompanies country living.
I’m so sorry about your Little John. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. So sad.
Ginny, so sorry to hear this…but the worst thing you can do is
keep hashing over whether you did all he right or wrong things.
This is what happens to all of us at some point in life whether it be a person
or a beloved pet……the continued hashing of questions…should we have done this?…
should we have not given the medicine?…did we give to much?….should we have had
this surgery or should we have not given the medicine?….was he comfortable…I could have done this or
I could have done that……we do the the best we can at the time by Gods grace and we never judge others
when it’s their time and we shouldn’t judge ourselves…..because these things just happen…we don’t
get to see them coming in advance and plan them all out perfectly..we are fallen creatures in a fallen world
doing our best trusting that God is working it all out for our good and His glory and He does. It was time for Little John to go no matter what choices you made or did not make it was his time…look up Ginny, it’s a new day and you have a new little one growing right inside you…God is always good and Gods plans no matter what may come and even though we don’t always understand them are far better than ours! Sometimes it is dark in the night, but joy always comes in the morning!………….
I am so sorry to read about your loss of sweet Little John. I so loved that you brought him inside your home to recover from his surgery, he looked very content.Sending prayers to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Little John. I know this is very difficult for your family. Sending warm hugs for all.
I pray peace for your hearts. Hugs to you all.
I’m sorry 🙁
Oh, Ginny. I know this ache so well. Tears for you, your kids, and your sweet goat-baby tonight. Sending much love.
I am so sorry for your loss, loosing an animal is really hard specially for kids.
Oh, Ginny, I’m so sorry. I have so many pictures of my babies with lambs and calves that have not survived, brought in to my NICU/ER by our wood stove. Delicate creatures, indeed, and we do the best we can for them and hope and somehow know that they feel our love.
I’m so sorry. Hugs to you and your family. Be gentle with yourself.
I’m truly sorry about your goat. It is always hard to lose animals, especially so when you’ve spent so much energy in saving them.
So very sorry for your loss. I can just imagine how much he loved being inside with you all again……warm, cozy and so loved. Since it was his time to go it was a good ending to his fun little life.
I am sorry for your loss. They are members of the family and it hurts. At least on his last day he was pampered and shown how loved he was.
Lots of hugs all around, and stay warm.
Oh Ginny! I did not expect that in your message. I feel so bad for you. I don’t even know what to say I’m so upset with your news. So sorry to hear!
I am so sorry about Little JOhn. He was so lucky to be in such a caring family! You guys take care and rest.
My thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry. It’s hard to say goodbye to someone we love, no matter how many legs they walk on.
Sending you all hugs and healing thoughts
I am so sorry about your poor little goat. What a tragedy. I have been fussing all weekend with my remaining goat with the subzero temperatures up here in CT. It has taken so much energy so I know what you must have been going through. Poor darling. I think it is wonderful that you brought him in. I wonder what went wrong.
Me too. I am second guessing myself all over the place. Impossible not to feel responsible. ?
You simply can’t blame yourself, although I think it is a natural reaction. It sounds as if your heart was/is the right place and that is so important. You had a procedure done that you felt was important and it was not your fault that anything went wrong. Sometimes things do and we are not in control of it. It’s not as if he was shivering out in a cold barn with no attention. Get and give hugs and you will start to feel better.
It is starting to warm up a bit here.
(I am saving avocado skins to try and dye yarn with. I hear that they produce a pink. We shall see. I’m not to sure.)
I’m so, so sorry Ginny & family. How heartbreaking.
So sorry. 🙁
Plumbing is the worst. Hubby spent and entire day installing a new sink and all the plumbing last weekend in our kitchen. I think it would have been worth paying for a plumber on that one.
Oh, that’s so heartbreaking. I’m so sorry.
I’m am so sorry to hear of Little John’s passing. We lost our wether, Peanut, a few years ago. He had been born with a neurological issue and was given to us by friends who offered him to us saying, “You are the only ones we know who would appreciate a challenged goat.” We did, indeed, and he was a sweetheart and a loving companion to his half-sister, Gidget, for over 7 years. We hope to find room in our hearts for some more goats in the near future but will always be grateful to our first for teaching us to love their silly ways. Much love and blessings to you and your family, Ginny.
I am in tears right now. Our loved animals – so dear to us. I like to imagine my passed-on cats and dogs all frolicking together in a beautiful meadow! Hope Little John is joining them! Much love to your family.
So sorry, Ginny. He was a beautiful and super cute goat!
I am so sorry! It is exhausting and so sad. You gave him the best send off an little goat could dream of.
Poor little guy… You never know with goats. Back when i was a teen and raising dairy goats, I had a lovely hardy little Alpine goat named Maggie. She died very suddenly after giving birth to two kids (one of them quite large). I was devastated and blamed myself for a long time…. But the truth is, these things happen. Goats are hardy in some ways, but in other ways they can be very sensitive. I pray you all find peace with your pet goats death.
Oh so very very sorry! Yes, our beloved goats are delicate creatures. That’s heartbreaking. We lost 2 goats last year, one from old age, one from complications folllowing P. tenuis (“meningeal worm”) infection. Many tears. Will you be able to house Robin with the girls, since goats hate to be alone?
No, the girls don’t want him, and we don’t want to stress them because we think/hope they are pregnant. We are looking now for another wether to be his companion. I can’t stand him being alone, without his companion from birth. So heartbreaking!
Too bad we live so far away from you (upstate NY), I have a little buckling I would be happy to wether and give to you if we were closer.
Oh no! Now I’m crying in my coffee! Poor Little John. In a (very illogical) way I’m happy he got to spend his last days inside, much like his first. I’m sure he enjoyed the love and attention. And the fire. Poor little goat-person.
On another note, how can Job and Silas now be the same age?! When did this happen! And also, it took me a couple of seconds to realize the first photos wasn’t of your home in Lenten costume (insert embarrassed emoji). Hope all is well. Much love from Stockholm.
Dear Ginny, I am so sad with you and your family. We had the same thing happen with one of our young alpacas last fall. The vet said she hadn’t ever lost an animal to this procedure in 10 years of practice. The autopsy showed nothing either. Sending you love and hugs as you mourn.
I am so sorry about your goat. We too nurse animals – we only have chickens – in front of the woodstove.
We did have a beloved chicken die in the house a few weeks ago. Many tears were shed here too.
Much Love to you all
I’m so sorry, Ginny! I’m so sad for you. I love how much you respect the animals in your care and he was a lucky goat to have you. <3
I’m so very sorry for the loss and the sadness you’re all feeling!
Oh Ginny! I am so sorry to hear about Little John’s death. He looks such a dear little goat – so much character in his eyes – and I just know (being a goat mama myself) how much he must have loved spending his last days inside with all your love and care. I am so so sorry. I hope the next week’s warmth brings you all some comfort.
So sorry to read about Little John – I’m sure he was very loved and will be missed, but with longer days and spring on the way I hope everyone will feel better soon – jenny xx
Oh no, how sad 🙁 Sorry to read this. You did the best you could for him – in many ways he was a very lucky little goat to be loved so deeply. x
So sorry, he was a fine goat.
So sorry for your loss of Little John. Was it complications from the recent surgery or something else unexpected? Hugs to one and all.
I’m so sorry for your loss, and he was so young:( Im happy that he was able to be loved and cozy in the house. I love the photos.
I was not expecting that 🙁
I know he wasn’t a “traditional” pet but he was still a pet and it makes me sad 🙁
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know he was well loved by you all.
Oh, I am so sorry for all of you, i feel like I’ve lost a dear friend as well and feel very sad with you. Little John, and all your animal family become dear to us through you.
I’m so sorry. I can tell he was well loved. <3 My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
So Sorry, Ginny:(( Hugs and tears for you and yours!
I’m so sorry. Losing a loved one (and I fully count family animals in that group) is harder than can really be put into words. Caring thoughts from my family to yours.❤️
Crying some tears for you over here; I’m glad he was warm and surrounded by all of you. Sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a lucky goat to have you all.
I’m so sorry to hear about Little John. I know it’s part of the farming process, but we get so attached to our furry friends. ((hugs)) to everyone!