Thursday, May 11, 2017

May already!

It's May, but it mostly hasn't felt like May because it has been cold, wet and damp. It was our anniversary the other day and it was actually snowing for the first time that I can remember!!


We made it to #24!  We went out for a nice supper at Sheep's Head Bistro the day before, because Gordon was out of town on business the actual day of our anniversary... which wasn't such a great day, because besides dealing with snow, and cat pee in my front hall, I went down to the goat house in the afternoon to find Ninja lying on side, dead.


Here is Ninja after we adopted him in March, with his sister Cindy. They are about three years old, which is young for goats.

This is the first time I have lost a goat, and I was so shocked and sad. We can't figure out what happened... they were a bit thin when they arrived here but the goats are dewormed and Ninja wasn't showing signs of a severe infestation. He has no visible injuries; it looked like he just keeled over very suddenly. The goats get along well so I have no reason to think Kevin rammed him to death, but who knows, maybe he took a hit that did internal damage? I just couldn't find any signs of anything having gone awry.

I talked to a goatkeeper friend of mine who said she has lost a couple of goats that way to a twisted bowel... I don't know. We didn't send him for an autopsy, so I will never know for sure, but it is very upsetting.

Last Thursday, he and Cindy were out and about playing with Buttercup... 





  
Monday morning, Ninja was lively and eating. Monday afternoon, he was gone. It really sucks... and not only will we miss him, but so will his sister Cindy. She seems to be coping okay. Vet is coming next week to do everyone's annual vaccines.

RIP dear Ninja. You were a lovely boy and I am so sorry I couldn't have given you a longer life here. :(

On a (literally) brighter note, the sun made an appearance yesterday and everyone got to go out on pasture for a bit...



Everybody here was happy to see the sun, including me. The grey weather has really been getting me down.

But Millicent is thrilled with life!


She has now come out of Gordon's office for good and is fearlessly roaming the house.



In fact, she has become a bit of a pain in the butt when I am trying to work, because she always wants attention and loves to roll on my keyboard and block my computer screen!






Or doze off in front of it.






That's her opinion of the graphic design work I was doing for Gordon!


All the other animals are doing well. Emerson loves to hang with the goats...




He is Cat King of Goat Mountain!







Butter cup is Queen. :)






Surveying his domain.






The friendship between the barn cats and goats is very sweet!

And Annabelle is a bit bossy:




15 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear about your loss of Ninja. Hope Cindy copes well, but with all the other animals around, I think she will be OK. I find it fascinating that the cats and goats seem to enjoy each other. (I think 'goat mountain' is wonderful and they should share!) Oh yes, and Happy Anniversary!

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  2. Natalie, I am so sorry Ninja passed away.
    Happy belated Anniversary!
    Your farm looks so idyllic, love the photo of Emerson from behind.
    Take care.
    Robin

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  3. Sorry to hear about Ninja! At least he had a happy place to spend his last days.

    So glad to see Millicent coming out of her shell.

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  4. Happy Anniversary! We are sorry about Ninja....the unexplainable ones are tough.

    Annabelle in the video is so funny - at first she's all "nothing to see here" :)

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    1. Yes, the unexplainable ones are tough. And so shocking to have come upon him like that. I love that you also blended today's post with the celebration of 24 blissful years of marriage, a cause for celebration, for sure! What a crazy mash-up life is! xo Brian

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  5. I adore all you animals and seeing them makes me smile. So sad for the loss of Ninja! What a shock. Hugs to you and Happy Anniversary!

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  6. Sorry for the loss of Ninja! Poor boy, God knows what happened.
    Happy anniversary to you two! Next year should be a big one! :)

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  7. Happy anniversary. I hope you have many more.

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  8. PS: I loved the video! Such a gentle nudger that Annabelle! Must learn how do to that...

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  9. I think Annabelle has been learning from the cat world. You know, the way you can spread every section of the newspaper all over the table but the only section your cat will sit on is the one you're reading. In this case, a giant pile of rocks but THAT's the one she wants.
    Such a cute couple you two are! Happy #24!

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  10. QUE AMOR LOS GATOS!!!
    ESTA SEMANA MURIO UNA GATITA MIA...Y HOY SU BEBE.
    SALUDITOS

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  11. You have created a paradise for these animals. So sorry about Ninja but glad he was so loved.

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  12. Happy Anniversary!

    So sorry to hear about Ninja. I'm glad he had some time in your care.

    Hopefully the sun we've been seeing here in the Prairies will make it your way very soon.
    Eileen

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  13. So sorry to hear about Ninja. It's so sad when our pets leave us. Emerson is such a handsome boy! And sweet. Happy Anniversary to you and Gordon, wishing you many, many more.

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  14. So sorry to read about Ninja; losing a pet is hard. I know horses get twisted bowel, but I had never heard of goats. I hope Cindy continues to thrive without her brother. Happy Anniversary in your Animal Kingdom!

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Thank you for all your comments, which I love to read!