The worst part about homesteading is losing animals. I hate it. It is so traumatic it always make me question - briefly - why we keep animals. But the saying goes: better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. My goats are so much a part of the family and they give so much that I suppose I will always have them, always love them, and always deal with the heartache of losing them when the time comes. This weekend my gentle Hadar died.
Hadar was the reigning matriach. She one one of my most loveable goats. She could stand with her head on your shoulder, eyes closed for as long as you were prepared to cuddle and kiss her. Or until another goat dared get to close then she would whip around and send the precocious subordinate packing! As goats generally are, Hadar was a wonderful mother. Her very first babies were triplet boys and her very last babies, born last month, were triplet boys. In between she has only ever had boys so sadly there is no legacy to continue her line except the memory of her gentle nature.
Hadar was one of my best milkers. Ever. She gave a comfortable 5 to 6 litres a day. That's a lot although my Saanens average 3 to 4 litres daily. Her name - Hadar - means Glory. And she really was a glorious goat.
Hadar is one of two goats who were due to retire this year. What to do with the older animals is always a dilemma for me. Last week she suddenly became partially mastitic. My natural remedies usually cure ailments very quickly. I even resorted to medical treatment. But she declined so rapidly that I was shocked when she died after only a couple days. So while I am sharing the different goat lessons with those considering having their own precious goats here's an adendum: Be prepared to cry many tears when you lose the goats. And you will. Although hopefully only of a good old age. I do not know if the infection killed her as she was already older or if her age brought on the infection. There is still plenty I do not understand about goats but if you have missed out on what I can share follow Lessons 1 and 2
https://steemit.com/homesteading/@buckaroo/for-the-love-of-goats-lesson-2
There are still goats to love and cuddle. We are forming relationships with adorable kids and learning about their individual personalities. Hadar and her mother Abigail were both very gentle. I loved seeing them lying together with all their growing babies around them. We said goodbye to Abi a long time ago. I knew it was coming but I wasn't prepared for Hadar's death. She will leave a hole but I have been blessed by her gentle nature and delicious milk. She is everything you look for in a goat. Hadar was a Glory!
