Just Some Encouragement

[Wonderland]

Hi guys! I haven't posted here in a while, but I've been "lurking." I've noticed that a lot of people have been having some really hard times with their goats, and I wanted to reach out to you guys and try to encourage you!

I rarely talk about the first goat I had (it's embarrassing, to me, to admit to failure), but I feel like this may be a good time to tell her story. I bought by first goat - a Nubian - when I was 15. However, after owning her for around a year she got very sick and lost a ton of weight. I realize now it was mostly my fault - I basically didn't know what I was doing. I also had no other resources besides a vet clinic that mostly works on horses. I gave her shots from the vet and NutriDrench twice a day, but after about a week I lost her. I was devastated, and very turned off of goats.

I didn't try goats again until the end of 2008 - three years since my first goat. I have always loved goats, but I was too scared to get another one. However, I read several books, started subscribing to some farm magazines, and researched a lot. I finally decided to try goats again. I still don't know everything, but I know a lot more than I did. I haven't had any major issues, but I know that if I did I could come here or contact the breeders I've bought from for help! I'm extremely happy that I decided to get goats again. I know that I'll lose some eventually, even if it's just to old age (if only we could all be that lucky!), but I think the enjoyment they bring is worth the pain we eventually have to face.

So, my point is, don't give up! I think that goats are worth the struggle of trying to learn how to do things right. Learning is fun, too, most of the time. If you need a break, take one. If, like me, you don't want to continue with the same breed, start fresh with a new one. I decided on Nigerian Dwarves instead of Nubians this time around, and I'm glad I did. I think they're a much better fit for me than Nubians, and they don't constantly remind me of the things I did wrong with my first goat. Maybe you're meant to own a different breed!

Anyways, I hope this helped all of you who are suffering from frustration and/or loss right now. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way, but at least we're learning!

[Backfourty,MI.]

Very sweet Wonderland & probly very helpful to alot of folks right now to hear your story. Thanks for sharing with us all.

[nehimama]

Nice post. I'm sure quite a few will take heart from your message.

[Pony]

Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective.

I'm glad your goats are doing well now.

Goats are GREAT, aren't they?

[Wonderland]

I hope that it helps someone. It might at least be good for them to know that things like this can happen to anyone!

Originally Posted by Pony

Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective.

I'm glad your goats are doing well now.

Goats are GREAT, aren't they?

Thanks!

Goats are wonderful. They're my favorite domesticated animal. They kind of combine the usefulness of cattle and the personalities of some sort of dog/cat hybrid. :baby04:

[The Tin Mom]

Originally Posted by Wonderland

I hope that it helps someone. It might at least be good for them to know that things like this can happen to anyone!




Thanks!

Goats are wonderful. They're my favorite domesticated animal. They kind of combine the usefulness of cattle and the personalities of some sort of dog/cat hybrid. :baby04:

It is helpful! Thank-you!

I think that is the best way to describe goats! We say around here that they are better than dogs - you put it perfectly!

[Wonderland]

Thanks!

I love dogs, too, but goats are special. There really isn't another animal quite like them.