The Kidding Process: One Nervous Goat Ma
On my nightly after-dinner walk with the dogs, I stopped in at the goat pen to say hello. Margherita and Carmelina came to the gate immediately, but I couldn’t see Pasqualina.
So I went inside and there she was, kind of off in the corner, laying down. She bleated to me twice–totally normal-sounding calls. For those who have never owned goats, yes, you do know what’s normal and not normal in their cries…and you can even tell them apart. She usually gets up to greet me.
I petted her a bit, felt around her tail for the tell-tale ligament loosening that happens when a doe is preparing to give birth, and I will say, they do feel looser than normal. But it’s my first time! What do I know?
Anyway, things *do* seem to be proceeding as they should, except I can’t help being a worry wart, thinking “What if she’s laying down because she’s not feeling well…you know, other than having a kid or more inside of her wanting to get out?!”
I was the same way when Stella was having puppies a few years ago, by the way, always thinking of worst case scenarios. I like to think it helps me be prepared in case I’m called into action (animals generally can take care of this stuff on their own, right?), but I think all it really does is give me insomnia.
Pfft….
P.S. A *huge* thank you to the wonderful Naimhe Jeanne and Martha Ann of All Things Goat who are helping to calm my nerves!
5 Responses to “The Kidding Process: One Nervous Goat Ma”
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You’re not kidding you’re crazy about the kids! baaaaaa! Buona fortuna with the new blog
Grazie mille Lisa! Crazy indeed 😉
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I love goats! I can’t have them where I live but look forward to reading about yours!
Thanks so much for coming over 😀
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What a wonderful new Blog- I totally love it- I cant wait to follow you every step of the way through this exciting adventure! Good luck with the blog and the soon to be new addition to your family! Buona Fortuna!
Thanks so much for the support, Susan!
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You MUST visit a goat cheese place in Lombardia. But first I MUST find the info 🙂 It was in 05, but an experience that is in my top 5 Italian moments.
We arrived before 7a.m. and lots of fun goat chores were going on. The husband said “oh, I only speak goat, please ask my wife” in response to our questions about the cheese/business portion of the activity. And I still remember the flavors of the cheeses, though we were not permitted to buy ricotta; it was May and we were 4 hrs from home.
Then there was the kitty in our car engine, but that’s another story.
Good luck with the kids!
Haha, thanks Karen! Sounds like you had a great time 🙂
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Love you AND your goats!
Aw thanks Joanna; the feeling is mutual 😀
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