Wed March 3 2010

It was a stormy, cold windy day no matter which window you looked out. During the entire morning feeding the rain poured down. Sunny, Chardonnay and Aurora were shivering so after I fed everyone I slogged my way up to the girls. I had a nice warm stall ready for them, but they wanted no part of it. As I'd approach them they would race around slipping and sliding and probably having a good laugh at the two legged creature trying to get them. It didn't take long for them to be warm and me to be exhausted. They stayed out.

As soon as I came in the sun broke through and it was partly cloudy, but nice. I fed an extra bale this morning to make sure everyone had enough in their tummies to keep them warm. One baby goat was so weak this morning he couldn't stand up so we fed him, then wrapped him in a warm towel. We put him in a box near the heater so he could stay toasty warm. He had the shivers several times today. By tonight he was standing and eating.

Beth had goat duty for a while. Dr. Darling the vet says that the holding and petting them will help the babies survive. Dehydration is a big concern so we make sure they get lots to drink. It's a really tough job to keep them alive.

Fiesty is facinated with Hector. He can't figure out just what that hard shelled critter is. Fiesty takes a closer look at Hector.

Hey Hector! Want me to come in and play with you?

This afternoon and evening were beautiful. I oiled my mosquito larvae today. They were growing in the gunk behind the lower barn and I took the salad oil after them. The oil on the water keeps them from getting air. I love all living things EXCEPT flies and mosquitos. Flies and mosquitos do not get to live a peaceful life at the sanctuary. They get gone. The fly predators will be here soon. When the sun comes out the flies start hatching and the predators get after them.

Thanks to everyone sending good words and thoughts about the baby goats. The vet said it will take a month before we'll know for sure whether or not they will make it. It is not a chore or obligation to be taken lightly.