Saying Goodbye to Dallas

[frustratedearthmother]

Wanted to post this for all the folks that expressed a real concern about the health of this special little goat. It has been a hard fought battle but we've come out on the other side! This little girl is a fighter and will be with me until she draws her last breath - be that tomorrow or 10 years from now. We may still have a few hurdles to conquer but the worst is behind us now.

Dallas and I are tired - so we're taking a little vacation.

 

[baymule]

And that, my friends, is why we pull out all the stops, doing every thing we can do to save the life of the ones that seem to be dying. Sometimes we lose, we cry and we bury a baby that never had a chance, but we had to try. Sometimes we win. And when we win, it is the sweetest win, it is the win that makes us smile, laugh and be glad for all the lack of sleep, all the worry, all the love we have for the least little creature.

Go Dallas. Go spread the gift of your love to those who need it most.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I like her grey coloring - will she stay that way when she grows up? I hope she recovers and lives a happy life. Thanks for the update.
A friend had a "special" goat at one time. Now sure what happened but it was slow in learning to do normal things. It never did figure out how to climb on top of the picnic table like the rest of the goats would do, but that was a gift because her daughters would bring it out for tea parties in the back yard. It would wear a hat and scarf for those girls, lol.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Ya'll are all right. But, I swear I'm still crying over that gal. Been teary all day But I know why she fought so hard. Like ya'll said - she was born for this - it was her destiny and she will be awesome at her job!

I tried to talk "T" out of her. I told her that Dallas would get much bigger than the pygmy. She said there are times that she needs a sturdy animal. I told her that she'd been ill. She said that her patients have been ill - they would understand. I told her that I think Dallas has a vision impairment. She said her blind clients would identify with her. She had the perfect answer to every concern I had.

We went through so much. I'm not even sure I shared everything. There were two instances where I was prepared to put her down. There were two days where I fed her with a syringe because she had lost the ability to suckle. But - every single time she made the decision to live. And now I know why.

I couldn't accept money for her - it would have been like selling one of my children. I made T promise to send pics. I've already texted with her tonight and she says her daughter, who is physically challenged, has been sitting with Dallas all day and that they both are loving the attention from each other.

Ok - gotta go blow my nose again...

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Dang it Bay - ya done went and made me cry again.... But you explained it much more eloquently than I could.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

She should keep her coloration. This morning I put her up on a large spool because I wanted to try to get a pic of her with the sky in the background....she was having none of it and jumped right off the second I loosened my grip. It's a big spool too - about waist high on me and I'm 5'6". Silly goat - she's not even a little bit spoiled from all the attention...

 

[NH Homesteader]

I love it, please update us when you hear news about her. I've loved following her story. This is perfect for her, she was made for this! You should be proud of what you did for her, you never gave up and now so many people are going to have joy because of her! Ah I love this so much!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I haven't cried this many tears over a goat in years - maybe decades. I made the hardest decision ever this morning and said goodbye to Dallas. I know I said she'd be with me forever - but that was pure selfishness on my part. I think I made the best decision for her today.

A friend of a friend is an animal therapist. She came by this morning to look at one of the bottle monsters. Sounded like a great idea - and she loved the bottle monsters - except that the bottle monsters are crazy obnoxious. They jump all over you and chew on everything they can get their mouths on. Even though they'll calm down as they age and get weaned they're really not the best fit now.

Then - along came Dallas. They therapist fell in love with her gentle spirit. Dallas is all about the hugs and cuddles. She's just a more laid back critter. Therapist wanted her - I said no. Therapist offered me more money than I had asked for the bottle baby - I said no. Therapist explained the conditions Dallas would live in and the job she would do and I broke down. It really will be best for her. She'll live with one other goat in a luxury barn and travel several times a week for never-ending hugs. I gave in...but, I couldn't take money for her - I donated her to the cause.

However, I did sell her the pygmy baby that will be Dallas's life-long companion if things go as they should.

I made her promise to call me and/or bring her home if anything goes wrong - ever.

Last goodbye meal with mom - look how big she's gotten:

I'm gonna miss that girl!

 

[wyoDreamer]

Aww! It does sound best for her, but dang!
She is such a sweetie!
I'm sure she will be missed, but you knew she was special and this is her special job in this world. Now she gets to make many people happy! I am assuming she is going to be a therapy goat.

 

[sumi]

FEM, there was a reason that special girl survived and thrived. She had a special job to go do and she is so perfect for it! I'm sad with you and at the same time, so happy to hear what a wonderful role she's going to play and all those lives she's going to touch now.