We're In A Bit Of A Pickle

Well, dear reader, I can't help but feel that the universe continues to conspire against us. Sigh. If you are a frequent blog reader, you know that August was heartbreaking here on our farm. In a matter of weeks, we lost two of my beloved original girls, Mama Boo and Boo. We lost one of our dear girls, Tiger Lily. As if that was not devastating enough, we lost two little girls and our new buckling, Woody. 

Our dear friends, Abby and Dylan, took our buck, Ace. In exchange for Ace, we adopted little Woody. Once little Woody passed away, we contacted Abby and agreed to exchange a little girl for Woody's brother, whom she also named Woody. Abby and Dylan were planning to bring Woody 2.0 to the farm on Sunday. He would spend two to three weeks in quarantine, then be introduced to the herd to do what bucks are made to do. It was an excellent plan. The Bibbed Wonder spent two days cleaning the barn while Jordan and I were away. We were ready. Until we got a call from Abby on the Sunday, he was supposed to come to his new home. 

Poor Abby called me distraught on Sunday morning, sharing that Woody 2.0 had passed away unexpectedly overnight. His mama was off, the vet was called, she was treated, but to no avail. She was not better; in fact, she was far worse, and the kids were going to have to have her put down. However, little Woody 2.0 showed no signs of illness. Abby and Dylan put him to bed with their other kids. He was eating and drinking, but he was upset to be away from his mom. When the kids went out to check on the goats, tiny Woody 2.0 was curled up, sleeping— except he was gone. 

I fully comprehend Abby's feelings of distress, sadness, disbelief, and grief. It is a terrible feeling to know you have failed to care for your family and lose multiple members at once, and to have no real explanation. Aside from the empathy I feel toward Abby and Dylan over a heartbreaking situation, I also feel like we can't get a break. Once again, we are without a buck for our breeding season. To find one at this late date will be almost impossible. As careful as we are about what comes onto the farm, we don't really have time to research, vet, and quarantine a strange goat. We are going to have to push back our breeding season to accommodate this new challenge because after August, we cannot afford to make any mistakes. The real challenge is going to be locating a Nubian billy goat. I have been searching online, and there are many mini-nubians for sale, but no full-sized bucks. Going to an auction is out of the question. Those poor creatures are exposed to so many pathogens that we cannot —and will not —introduce them to our farm. We are at an impasse, dear reader. It has put us in a pickle, indeed. 

Should you know of someone trustworthy who has a closed herd and a Nubian buck for sale, please share with us. We are exploring different options, but we are basically at a loss. So, dear reader, that is the latest cunumdrum on the farm. The tragedy from August continues to haunt us, and now, it may harm our business, which is far more wide-reaching than anticipated. I have faith it will all work out, but it is a concern. If you happen to be connected, maybe ask the universe to back off on us a bit? Sigh. 

On this lovely November day, stay safe, be smart. If you know of any Nubian bucks for sale, please let us know. Keep the faith that all your problems will work themselves out, and keep washing your hands.