Important Lesson Learned

Never never never never ever enter a lot with two breeding bucks who are nearly overcome with their passion for does in the next paddock. It will not go well for you. Trust me on this one.

After being nearly beaten to death by my darling Louie, whom I bottle fed, for crying out loud, I have learned that if I have been with the does and then enter his lot, he will think I am a doe. Yeppers. He wanted to date. I didn't. He didn't believe me that No meant NO! Other than several nasty nasty bruises (it made me reconsider disbudding my goats briefly...), a twisted wrist and shoulder, I am fine. I was so upset I sat in the milking parlor and cried like a silly girl. Honestly, it was traumatizing...

Now, to be honest, I have never ever had this kind of problem with a buck before -- even Louie. He has always been sweet, loving, easy to manage, and a pure joy --- even if he does pee on his face and smell awful. But, apparently, several weeks of does in heat has just broken him down into a quivering mess. I am sure it doesn't help that the gals are standing against the fence making doe eyes (I never understood this expression until I had goats) and shaking their tails at them. Hussies!

The Mister and I had planned a new paddock for just the bucks back last fall and a friend's son came and started, but never finished, it. Guess who worked on fencing today??

In the meantime, the Mister has custody of the bucks and I am staying well away from Louie. I came perilously close to shooting him last night, once I escaped. And, I love him too much to do that. So, it is best we take a break from each other. At least until he is moved and the does aren't tormenting him quite so much.

Oh, Geez...

While trimming Clara's hooves tonight, I slipped and cut too deeply. It bled. And bled. And bled. Nothing would stop it. I tried blood stop (this stuff is really neat) and then applied pressure. After 20 minutes, it was still bleeding. I got worried and called our vet who recommended that I apply a pressure bandage and a baggie. She said leave it alone tonight and check it in the morning.

Of course, I can't wait. I have checked it twice and no blood is showing, so I hope the pressure bandage and the blood stop I put on the bandage works. She isn't limping, so I feel pretty confident it isn't debilitating. Except to me. I have cried and cried over hurting her!

We won't talk about how the other does are jealous of the fine new plastic bag on her foot to keep the bandage clean and dry. And, we won't tell them that it isn't a fashion statement. Let's keep that be our little secret....