Posted by Mary on November 30, 2002 at 07:19:42:
Hi Everyone...I need your help with Molly. Let me start by giving you a little background info., on Molly, and how our day began. Molly is a 3 year old pygmy. She is the shyest of my goats, and definately the low doe on the totem pole (except for Daphne-but she is only 6 wks old). Molly has never been a robust goat....not sickly...but has always has remained on the small side. She is a love, but timid. So, this morning, as I was in the bathroom filling the buckets with warm water before greeting my herd for the day, I hear a gun shot. It's deer season here, and the sound of shots ringing out throughout the day is not uncommon....but this one sounded a little too close to home. I ran to the window to see deer running through our fields. Another sign that the hunter was too close to home. With the hair rising on the back of my neck...I tell my husband...get me a shotgun...someone is invading my animal "safehaven", and I'm going out to get them. Hubby gets a little excited...calms me down...and promises to go out and check the property, if I'll just give him time to get his pants on. So, out I go to greet the herd. I hear screaming coming from the back barn. Not, an anxious "good morning mom...hurry up with the food" greeting that I usually hear from my darlings...but screaming. I ran to the barn, and there is Molly standing facing the back wall, head up in the air, tongue hanging out, screaming. And she is panting like a dog who has been running for hours, and shaking all over. I was so upset...I had no idea what was the matter. She was fine last night. I sat with her for a while...trying to evaluate her...she was acting like she was in pain...screaming, screaming, sreaming. I coaxed her into her own stall, closing the door to give her some privacy, and to keep Henry (the wether)away from her...he felt this was a good time to try and mount her(I think he is retarded sometimes)) I gave everyone their grain and hay, then returned to the house to get my thermometer...crying all the way. I thought for sure that when I came back out, she would be dead....she was acting like she was suffering so. Well, I came back, and she is munching on the grain...I went in and took her temp-101. Then I gave her some hay, and she started munching on that. She is seeming to act her normal self again. So, I am baffled. Any ideas??? Any problems that can present and pass within 15 minutes. Think it could have been the gunshot, that just freeked her out?? Any opinions would be appreciated. By the way...hubby went out and found the hunters tracks right behind our barn...guy even had a nerve to take a leak there. Good thing I didn't catch him with his pants down....oh, the fun I would have had!!!!!!!!!!!(evil grin). And this is all on HEAVILY Posted land. The nerve of some people. Thanks guys...I'll keep you posted, and will be looking for your opinions.
~Mary