We made a gut wrenching decision yesterday to move our oldest goats, Banning and Donovan to a new home. Banning had gotten so big, really too big for our small yard and for me to handle. He also loved me too much and we were afraid he was going to injure me. I must make a point that he never made any aggressive moves towards me, just affection or treat seeking behavior. Last week he ran up on me from behind and jumped up on my back knocking me forward into the shed. With my osteoporosis I am at risk for hip fracture already.
Then when we brought Ace home, Banning and Donovan both became very aggressive towards him. We thought about rehoming Ace for his own safety, but that really wasn’t the best solution for the overall situation. Michael and I discussed it and decided that the best thing to do would be to find a new home for Banning. But, we could not do that without sending Donovan with him. Either one of them would do fine without us but neither one of them could survive without the other. They are inseparable, having been together their whole lives. They are never more than a few feet apart day and night. So in the end, we thought the best solution was to find a new, loving home, better suited for a larger goat like Banning. I put a listing on Craigslist and got lots of responses with a number of great opportunities for new adventures. We settled on a farm animal rescue/sanctuary near Marysville where they would have more room and bigger goats to play with. I didn’t want to be here when they were picked up so I wimped out and left that to Michael. I knew my heart would overrule my head and I would back out at the last minute. So I wandered around the nursery looking for slow-bolting cilantro while Michael got them off to their new adventure as farm goats. We got a couple of thoughtful emails from their new owners last night to say that they are great little goats and were settling in nicely in their new quarters with their new friends. We miss them already.
I have changed the banner picture on my blog to not include any animals. Farming, even hobby farming on a small scale like we do, involves the coming and going of critters so I thought this picture would work better. That way, I wouldn’t constantly be tempted to get in the Hummer and drive to Marysville to get my boys back. I hope they are happy, healthy, and having fun. They brought us great joy and laughter.
Andrea says
I was hoping to see your next blog on tonight with some good news. How are things going?
Mary says
I have been so sad about this. Last night at 11:00 I couldn’t take it anymore and emailed the lady asking for my goats back. I have been up all night waiting for a response. So far, nothing.
EMILY says
HI NANA . I AM HAPPY THAT U WONT BE GETING HURT BY THE GOATS ANYMORE. I WILL MISS THEM SO MUCH. HAVE FUN WITH THE OTHER 2 BYE
You Know You says
I didn’t know Donavan & Banning as well as you & Michael did but I miss them too. I am glad I didn’t have to see them go.
Mary says
Thanks Mandy, I am sorry about your teacher losing her job too. Ace wants to know if you have any spare Honey Buzzers?
Nana
MANDY says
Another SAD thing is today was the last day of school and it was really hard to say good bye to all my friends but at least we got to hug cause today in sixth grade it was national hug day and so at least we got to hug each other but that was the least of sixth grades worries………………….. today was the end of the school year and so my favorite teacher Ms. Billo got layed off so we all cried alot and we probably cried enough cover a drought or two and it’s not even half a day yet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it’s kinda stupid cause they based their decisions on sticks. so they gathered the teachers that they were going to lay off and they had them draw sticks and only #s one through eight got to keep their job and she picked and she got 17 so I think its stupid cause they based their decisions on sticks and not how well they teach.
MANDY says
SOB SOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!