If you know my goats, you know Kisses. She is the first goat I ever owned and showed and she is my favorite. She is very sweet and loving but can be sassy and sometimes difficult. If she sees that the gate is unlatched for just a split second she will push her way out and eat as much hay and feed as she can find.
Although she can be difficult at times, it’s hard for me to get mad at her. I usually (if not always) forgive everything she does and go on with my duties.
She has always been my favorite because she sparked my love for goats and I’m basically the only human she trusts and likes. Not only do we see each other every day, but I also have the most patience with her.
About 3 years ago, we took a few goats to another farm to get bred for the upcoming season. The farmer there was very experienced with goats and knew more than we did. After having them at his farm for a night or so, he calls my mom to see if we have had our goats tested for Caprine arthritis encephalitis or CAE. He was wondering because Kisses had swollen joints which is a symptom of CAE. After looking the disease up, my mom knew she had to test her. As a precaution, my mom didn’t tell me that she suspected that Kisses had a disease and that she was getting tested.
Luckily for her, the test for CAE is through the blood (like pregnancy tests for goats), so she just sent it in with the pregnancy tests without me having to know.
I knew something was up when my mom didn’t send me the results of the pregnancy tests after she got the results. She got home from work, handed me the paper and told me that there was something she had to tell me about Kisses. My heart sunk and my mind was racing. I asked if she died and apparently my sister already knew the results so she said “no, but she’s about to.” Which was uncalled for, but anyway. My mom trying to break the news to me calmly and painlessly, she cleared it up by telling me that she had CAE and explained what the disease is. She basically said that it is a disease passed through milk, so there was nothing we could do to prevent it. Its a form of arthritis so it affects their bones starting with legs and makes it hard for them to get up and move around well. As she gets older, it will get worse until one day she won’t be able to get up at all.
I immediately started freaking out and I didn’t know what to do. I had thought like ‘maybe I should just put her down, put her out of her misery’. And I think my mom knew what I was thinking because she told me that she is fine right now and will need major TLC later in life and I’m the one for that. I did research and found that she could have an aspirin or two a day and it would help with the pain and not hurting her body.
The days passed and she was doing great. Until I noticed that she started to move slower, get up slower and not put weight on all 4 legs at the same time. My sweet Kisses is getting old and I have to accept it.
But today, I look at her and I see a strong goat, the reason I started my business and the one goat that sparked my passion for goats in general. I love her with all my heart and she is still my absolute favorite goat. I now keep aspirin on hand and give it to her when I feel she needs it. It breaks my heart to see Kisses live with this awful disease everyday and I can’t stand it for her. She handles it amazingly and has lived longer than I ever thought she would, but I expect nothing less.
This past week I showed her 5th daughter and 10th kid in the same show ring I showed her and all her other kids too. It was so bittersweet because I know that not only is it my last time showing but Amora is Kisses last baby.
Due to her disease and how much it has affected her over the last year, I decided not to breed her or put her through any more pain than she already lives with. It was a tough decision, yes, but I only want what’s best and most comfortable for her. We just recently moved her home to our new barn and I love having her closer to me.
All of Kisses babies:
Mickey and Evie
Bernie and belle
Kate and Maura
Bean
Comet and Cupid
Amora (Grand Finale) Lee
Fair Week Update!!
This week was my last ever week showing in Boone County. This is so bittersweet to me because I have grown up in the show ring for the last 13 years. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to show and the lifelong skills that it has taught me. I am especially thankful for being able to show this year and for the people who made it possible.
A really huge thank you to my parents and sisters for all the help this year and every year. Though we can get stressed, we have always worked as a family and it has made things way easier on us. Thank you to the 4H agents and volunteers for everything, without you all the shows would not be possible. Thank you to my family and friends who have supported me over the years in every way possible. Another huge thanks to all the buyers that have bought from us over the years! I would not be here without any of you!
This year I am extremely happy with how my animals did. I could not have ended my 4H career on a better note. I got in the sale with everything that I had and that has never happened for our family. #6for6
Reserve Champion Country Ham
Grand Champion Goat Showmanship
Grand Champion Dairy Goat
Reserve Champion Born & Bred Goat
3rd Place Market Goat in the Sale of Champions
Grand Champion Born & Bred Rabbits
Reserve Champion Market Rabbits
Grand Champion Breeding Gilt
8th Place Market Hog in the Sale of Champions
Reserve Champion Dairy Feeder Steer
Reserve Champion Born & Bred Beef
Reserve Champion Beef Steer
Quick Pasture’s Kiss Update:
In these last few weeks, my soap inventory has gone fast! I’m extremely thankful and happy about it! I am making soaps as often as possible and after state fair I should have more time to make them since college is all online. Also, please go like our page on Facebook!
If you made it to the bottom of this post, thank you! Please comment which fall scented soaps you would like from Pasture’s Kiss!
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