March 25, 2009

Nifty...Don't Ever Do THAT Again!

I am still waiting on goat kids, three goats are due anytime then five are due in less than a week with the rest of the goat due dates scattered out through the middle of April. Have patience Emma, you are not due until April 12th. Just keep on meditating or whatever it is you are doing. In other news Nifty the goat almost gave me a heart attack the other morning. She is one of the young does that is due anytime now so I have been keeping a close eye on her. She is a pretty, feminine Boer doe with a red head and white body. I went out early in the morning yesterday to check on the expectant moms. My goats are not particularly early risers, being the goat divas they are, these girls like to sleep in. A girl needs her beauty rest after all. As I walked up to the shed Cherry gave me a look of annoyance and got up; such a teenager. Rose didn't even bother, she just lifted her head with a groggy expression like "Is it breakfast time already?" If she would have had a blanket, she would have pulled it over her head.

As the other goats woke up to my presence they started getting up and stretching, some wanted early morning face scratches. I noticed Nifty had not moved at all, she was still in the same spot, laying with her head folded back over her side, motionless. "Nifty, get up lazy bones" I cheerfully said and she did not move. I like to think I am a positive person but maybe deep down I really do view my glass as half empty because my stomach immediately sunk just a little and I said her name again...a little louder, "Nifty!"...nothing. I walked up to her, she was still laying there with her head folded back. I was looking at Nifty, all the other goats were wide awake now and looking at me. I was holding my breath as I reached down and gave her a little shake, her pregnant belly jiggled but she still didn't move. I guess by now my mind was playing tricks with me or it was the cool morning air, but she felt cold. I didn't see her breathing. I reached down again and gave her a really good shake this time, still no movement at all.

In just a matter of seconds I felt shock, sick, angry, sad and very confused. A wave of different emotions was starting to erode my utter disbelief. My mind raced to figure out what could have happened, I had no clue. I am actually very good about keeping my emotions in check during a crisis. I can think and function well, I don't break down...one might not know I am that upset on the inside, but I tend to show that hand by cussing. Few know this about me because normally in everyday life I do try not to cuss. In fact I just don't, so it can be a shock to people that know me, but old habits die hard during times of stress. Some people smoke...I use expletives. "You have GOT to be s!*#ing me!" I exclaimed out loud as I knelt beside Nifty's body. I couldn't believe it. It was at that moment she jerked her head up almost sending me backwards on my butt and giving me a heart attack all over again as she jumped to her feet. She stood there looking back at me like "Where did you come from?". In an instant all those building emotions were released and I laughed in disbelief. "Good grief Nifty, it is a damn good thing I wasn't a coyote!" I have heard of deep sleepers but that is ridiculous!

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Goodness gracious, we had a Nubian doe Juliet do the same thing but with her flat out on her side and her head stretched out in front of her, I had to go in the pen and jerk her a little and she looked at me like what, she had a false pregnancy at the time.

Heart of a Cowgirl said...

Oh no!!! I was right there with you feeling a wave of panic! I've had my little filly scare me almost as bad. She is a napper and will not move for an hour or more at a time...I always have to go out and check on her. :)

Mary Humphrey said...

Oh my word, I was having a heart attack as I read your post!

Some of my does sleep more soundly when they are due. Scares the dickens out of me!!!!!

And, how about it when the LGD goes flat on the ground during the daytime? Always makes my heart jump when I think it is a goat.

I hope you start having kids soon!

Girl Tornado said...

That probably would have give me a scare too! I like the photo of Emma "meditating". Cute!

Nancy M. said...

I'm so glad she turned out to be okay! Too bad she almost gave you a heart attack in the process.

ChristyACB said...

Sounds like my sister when she is really heavily pregnant. You can stack dishes on her and she doesn't wake. No really, I did that. It wasn't nice so I never told her. LOL

I'm thinking she earned a bit of a tickle.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how much more interesting life is when you own goats!

I have been teaching my does to eat on the stanchion. The first two days I felt like a rodeo queen wrestling a bull! Today was not so bad. They are learning!

Great post!

JLB said...

lol I would have wanted to kill her immediately after I found out she was okay! no breakfast treats for her! :)

Glad she was fine...

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

Nifty, sure glad you are OK honey, must have been a good dream.

Claire MW said...

Oh Emma! You are due on my birthday! I hope you have wonderful kids!

Naughty Nifty - that would have completely thrown me for a loop. She must have been having a very good dream. Perhaps discovering a large vat of fresh carrots or something.

Linda Hughes said...

I am SO glad the two of you are okay! You really tell a great story, I was totally engrossed in yours! A real talent! As far as names go...howabout "Sunrise" for one...nickname Sunnie? Many thanks for your kind comments on my blog, too.

The Three Little Bears said...

Thanks for the advice on the composting! So far, all we have an abundance of is hay, chicken poop and coffee grounds. lol.

Lanny said...

I can so identify with what you just went through. But for me it is my buckskin horse and in the ultimate ridiculousness, she has done it to me several times. She ususally does it when I'm dressed and headed to town, she is out in the field where I can see her from the driveway, usually a toot on the horn and she'll at least flick an ear. But on enough occasions I've gotten as far as flipping my body over the gate and running in mud till I'm almost there and then it is that same dopy look you described. If I didn't love her so much I'd be mad, but I'm just always glad she is alive.

A.C.E said...

Me, too very much discover to get frightened, if something is not perfect with my goat!
Good luck for Emma! I like reading your blog!
Excuse me for the bad writing! :)

goatgirl said...

The same thing happened to me one time with my doe Lexi. She wasn't even pregnant, just sleeping very soundly. It was very unusual since most times they are hollering at the first sight of me. I'm glad she was ok.

KathyB. said...

Ha ha! Very funny story..now. I was holding my breath til the end.

The Silver Age Sara said...

Oh my gosh. I was just about to start crying with you and then I came to the end and I was so relieved. Thank goodness she was just sleeping soundly.
I can't wait to see all the babies. I sure wish I could have one. I've been wanting goats so badly.

Anonymous said...

Is there a calendar in her sleeping quarters? Maybe she got the days mixed up and thought it was April 1. tee hee
I'm glad she's okay and you too!

Boozy Tooth said...

Whew! I was scared for a second, even though the beautiful picture of Nifty is of her very much alive! I know that sinking feeling, the utter disbelief, the heartbreaking sadness of losing a beloved pet. I am so happy Nifty was just having a good dream and refused to wake. But the image of her startling you and you sprawling backward in surprised shock sure was fun. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer.

I wish I had a goat like Nifty.

Unknown said...

OH, wow! Naughty Nifty is right - I could feel your dread! I hope you make it through all the kidding without having a heart attack!

Nancy in Atlanta

Christy said...

I cuss too when I'm under stress. I'm glad she woke up. My goats are never asleep when I go out there. I guess they wake earlier than me.

Jennifer said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and I've enjoyed yours. My son loves goats and I look forward to reading about yours. One of these days we hope to be able to have some, so maybe I can learn through you. I had to laugh about the cussing thing-I'm the same way.

Gretchen said...

I love that your blog is all about goats. what a fun subject. You are really blessed to be out there in the farm... I miss it.

Found you via SITS. Have a great day!

Nic said...

I'm so glad she was ok! Excited to see baby goat pictures soon!

Alison said...

Yikes! Now, how fair is that to do the same thing to your loyal readers? Hmph.

I can empathize, though; it's hard enough losing an animal through old age or disease, but to lose one unexpectedly like that is very disorienting and frightening.

Well, I guess Nifty's just keeping you prepared for anything. Seems like a good lesson, when goats are involved!

farmlady said...

Came over from Tatersmama and got caught up in the Emma story. I have 4 male Nubians (they are withers) so I don't have to go through the mating or birthing process.I'm not sure I would be ready for Emma's sleeping disorder. Hope she's ok.
I love goats!