Yesterday morning, whilst I was working outside, I hear two people in the distance. When I got closer to them, I realized that I knew them both. They live on the same road as me and are a lovely couple. They had heard a solo goat calling out , down on the dry river bed and one of them went to check it out. It's unusual to hear a solo goat, they are usually always in with a herd. This goat sounded quite distressed as well.
( My view at work, yesterday morning.)
It turns out, that a young female goat, had one of her front legs trapped between two big rocks. She was very scared and distressed. When her leg was freed, she didn't move. We got her water and I found some grass for her to eat. We have no idea how long she was trapped there. Her leg was red raw from her trying to free herself.
It was pretty cut up on both sides. My heart went out to her. I told the others that I would stay with her, to see her badly damaged her leg was.
Also, I could only imagine how tired she was. I realised quickly, that she was exhausted she was. She needed to rest. Luckily she was in the shade, for now anyways. I sat close by, as she tried to find a comfortable position to lie down. Whenever I got up, she would cry out to me. I knew she would only sleep if I stayed close to her, because she could let her guard down. She seemed to trust me as well. As she lay down, I began to sing to her, after speaking to her and encouraging her, to help her feel more comfortable.
It wasn't long before she was closing her eyes. I then took the time to contact a few people and put up a post in the local Animal Welfare group that I help admin on Telegram. I asked if anyone could house her, whilst she healed. I don't have any enclosed space where I am. It's easy for other dogs to come on my land if they so wish. Also I felt it was important that she be housed somewhere, so we could treat her leg. A friend contacted me, to say they could help transport her, but not house her.
Oh how I wished I had an animal sanctuary. A barn, where she could rest and be looked after. The lovely couple that had first heard her, were trying to find the owner. But goat herders around here, have been known to dispose of goats that are injured, so I wanted a backup plan. I have always loved goats, but this was the closet I had got to one and she is beautiful.
After some rest, about 3 hours ( yes I sat with her, my daughters took time to come sit with me and bring me food and water, as well as some food for the beautiful goat) she got up and began to move a little. She was putting no weight on the leg, and limping a lot. Yet she could still move and she walked around in search of food. Then she sat down again and rested.
I was informed of the owner and told that he would be notified where she was, but as the day drew to an end, I did not want to leave her on the river bed, where she would be very vulnerable to attack. Especially as she had such little energy. So I focused on walking slowly with her, she followed me easily and if I went out of view she would call out. I managed to get to a road and called, my friend who had offered to transport her. After lifting her into the back of her SVU, we headed to the goat herd.
When we got there, no one was there, except for a dog, a few young goats and some horses. We waited for a while, but my friend had to leave, so we found a safe spot for Opal ( My daughter's name for her), somewhere enclosed, with food and water nearby. I was exhausted, I had spend 10 hours with this beautiful goat. I can only imagine how she must have felt. But all night I couldn't stop thinking about her. So I made a plan to go visit today. When I arrived she was in an enclosure with some goats. When I called out she responded. I left a note on the gate, saying that if they couldn't care for her or if they didn't want her, then would they please call me.
This has just driven me more to create an animal sanctuary, Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to help animals. It's definitely a calling of mine. So I'm going to explore some ways in which I can make it happen. I'm seriously considering starting up a fundraiser, I just have to do it.
All photos used in this post, were taken by me yesterday.
