Addio Carissima Pinters
Peek-a-boo Pinta
“It happens.”
That’s what you read in all the goat literature, but you never think it’ll happen to one of yours.
My Pinters was eating and playing normally Saturday evening. Sunday morning, she had some clear to white mucus around her nose, so I thought cold, possibly pneumonia — I’ll keep a close watch.
As I went to the pen several times until about noon, her sides were growing with bloat. We called the vet and he said she’s just going to die anyway, so there’s nothing to do. Obviously that wasn’t the answer for me, so I gave her baking soda, which I’ve read all across goat literature is what to do for bloat. I also got her up and walking, massaged her rumen. It didn’t do much.
Then a friend called someone who has had many goats and sheep, and he said to give her Coca-Cola. P ran to the bar — the only place open on Sunday up here — and that actually got her burping a bit, which is what needs to happen to loosen up the gas in the rumen that is causing the bloat. I did the walking, massaging bit some more. But her sides weren’t really going down.
So then, after another round of Internet research, I tried what we use for everything here — olive oil. And that finally started to work. I continued massaging her rumen and walking her around a bit as one is supposed to do, and her sides were going down. Later in the evening, I gave her another dose, did the same, and her right side was pretty flat by that point. Her left side was definitely deflated as well, but there was still air in there. I was comforted because it had been nearly pointy early in the afternoon, and was now rounded and much smaller.
After that second dose, Pinta walked over to the hay on her own and started to nibble, though she didn’t eat much. I led her to the water bucket, and she drank up. Twice. Long gulps. Then I gave her some green leaves, which she ate slowly but steadily.
I checked on her one last time yesterday evening, around midnight, and her sides were probably about the same as before, but she did eat a few leaves and get another gulp of water on her own (once I led her there). I thought she was on the road to recovery, but something in my heart said things weren’t as good as I hoped. I put out calls on Facebook for positive Pinta thoughts.
This morning, she was lying down, head down in the pen, already looking dead. I went in and held her a bit and realized her rumen still had air in it, so I asked P for his knife and did the last resort, emergency incision that up until then I had only read about in goat literature. Well actually first I did a stab, but that didn’t seem to be letting out enough air, so I went back in and cut.
The absolute scariest thing I have ever done in my life.
Waiting for hay
Immediately the smell of goatie burps and farts filled the air with several pssst sounds. I pressed and massaged some more to remove even more air. Pinta belched a few times, but by this time she was having so much trouble breathing, and in so much obvious pain, I don’t know that anything could have saved her.
I honestly have no idea what happened. All the ways goats get bloat didn’t fit her situation — she hadn’t had any grain for days, let alone too much. No new pasture, no new anything in her food. Maybe something fell into the pen and she ate that and couldn’t digest it? I have no idea. It’s hard to lose her, but I really hate not even knowing what happened. And what about that improvement last night? My brave little fighter. If she had still been bad yesterday evening, maybe I would’ve done something more drastic then?
Maybes and wouldas. Mah.
Pinta came into this world in my arms, and there was never, ever a moment that she gave me stress or trouble. She was, at all times, the perfect goat, and I’m not just saying that because she’s gone. She truly was a sweetheart.
Paolo and I both loved her in a way, I think I’m safe in saying, no other Calabrian goat has ever been loved, besides her mom, our Pasqualina.
Pasqualina, by the way, seems to be doing OK. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet for her — same with me, really. I have no idea where we’ll go from here with this goat thing, but there will be time to think about that once the tears have dried. That will be a while. Inconsolable doesn’t begin to describe the atmosphere in the house right now.
We are crushed and heartbroken.
I’m trying to accept that this was Pinta’s fate, that this was what her time on Earth was meant to be, that we made her short life enjoyable for her, that she didn’t die thinking I failed her horribly when she needed me most. I hope she knew how special she was and how very much she was loved not only by us but by people around the world. Around the world! Pinters the goat! I did tell her that often, including in her final moments, so I feel like we were all there with her.
I’m trying my best to focus on all the great times with my baby Pinta, a goat that will never, ever be forgotten, but it’s just so hard right now. God I loved that goat.
Addio carissima Pinters, my sweet, sweet Pinters Magooch.
Prancing Pinta
76 Responses to “Addio Carissima Pinters”
Newer Comments »Leave a Reply
GoatSpotting!
Goats that readers have spotted out and about. Send your photos to michelle(at)goatberries(dot)com!
I’m heartbroken with you, dearest Michelle. Che triste! We’ll all miss her! Big hug.
[Reply]
So sorry to read this. I am so sad that I am lost for words…
[Reply]
how sad… you describe this so well that it makes your grief very tangible
[Reply]
oh oh oh oh no. Oh no. Oh, I wish I were there. I am so sorry, Michelle. You were so brave with what you did to try to save her. I send you both all of my love.
[Reply]
losing a part of your family is tough– we had a cat that disappeared for a few days, then came home– to die.Their love is amazing. Take care.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Judy, that’s heartbreaking; our cat disappeared last year never to return — I like to think some other family took him in, but you know the odds of that in Italy….mah. Thank you for thoughts xx
[Reply]
So sorry to hear this. I know how much these little animals mean to you. It’s hard to let a pet go xxx
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Thanks, Rosa; they do mean the world to me xx
[Reply]
Sorry to hear of your loss. Very sad. It’s always so hard to lose a ‘member of the family’. You did all you could.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Thank you, Pete xx
[Reply]
I have been enjoying your blog so much. So sorry to hear of your sad loss. I just recently got goats and love them dearly. I can’t imagine how hard that was. Olive oil and baking soda were the right things. It could have been a poisoning of some kind. The only other thing a vet here might have done would have been activated charcoal if a poisoning was suspected. You did the right things.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Thanks June; I just had no thoughts of poisoning at the time as she wasn’t out of the pen. I just don’t know. It was her time, I know that. I just wish she could have had more with us xx
[Reply]
Oh, I am so sorry to read this. I haven’t met this little goat, but I cried anyway– what a heartbreaking experience.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Thanks Ariana xx
[Reply]
Oh, my dear, Michelle. What sad news for you, P, and Pasqualina, but rest assured that
your sweet “Pinters” knew she was loved!
Your beautiful images of “Pinters”, as well as your poignant writings about her escapades are a testimony to that.
I’ll keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers during this time, meanwhile, I’ve sent you a little something via your email.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Thanks so much Patricia for your thoughts and lovely message via email xx
[Reply]
Ohhhh, Sweetie………
I am so sorry…………
Goaties are such fragile creatures…….and you loved her well.
My heart goes out to you…….
Blessings,
~Mimi
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Thanks so much Mimi xx
[Reply]
Dear Michelle,
I’m sitting here in tears after reading this heartbreaking post. To say how sorry I am just doesn’t seem to be adequate.
You have given us all the love of your goats, such a gift, through your vivid writings here and on FB. Pinta was a beautiful soul. You did a wonderful job of making her life a good one.
Sending loving thoughts your way,
Kate
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Thanks so much Kate; Pinta was a great goat ambassador for sure xx
[Reply]
Oh honey I’m so sorry to hear about Pinters!!!
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Thank you Janet xx
[Reply]
Wept, still weeping after reading your blog. How the heck did you write when you are so very sad. I love that photo of Pinters, with the hop in her, of course, and send you and the rest of the Calabrian household my deepest heartfelt sympathy. Losing a pet is just awful, and non-pet owners just don’t get it. They are our little darlings.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Thanks Marie; I wrote this post through streams and streams of tears — can’t imagine how many tissues I went through. But I needed to get it out. Pinta deserved that much xx
[Reply]
Michelle, I am so sorry for your loss. I love reading about your goats and can only imagine how much you will miss your sweet girl. I sympathize completely as my pets become treasured family members as well. ((((hugs))))
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Thank you Deborah xx
[Reply]
I have tears rolling down my cheeks, as I know the loss all too well with my animals and especially the would haves & could haves that go with them…
Sending good thoughts your way~
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Thank you Bethany; Pinta was such a great cuddler whenever I was sad too 🙁
[Reply]
Oh Michelle, this is a very sad day. Some nights I lie in bed, thinking of what I could have done differently in situations like this. But I realize that sometimes, nothing could have helped. I hope you don’t get sucked down into the sadness of this tragedy and focus on the bright side. You had good years with Pinta. She loved you unconditionally and does not blame you for what happened.
Nanny blessings.
Tayet
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
It’s hard not to go down that road. I’m trying not to, but my thoughts keep wandering, and the tears start flowing. I feel so guilty that I couldn’t help her 🙁 Thank you for your words; I’ll get to the appreciating the good times someday xx
[Reply]
I’m so so sorry, Michelle! She was so adorable. Please just know that you did all that you could do, I know that isn’t easy to accept at this time, but you did! Sending you all love and healing! xoxo Pam
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Thanks so much Pam; I so wish you could have met her in person…you may have smuggled her back to Ohio! xx
[Reply]
Oh, I’m so sorry! Poor Pinters. Poor you! You did everything you could. Hang in there, Michelle.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Thanks Stefanie xx
[Reply]
I’m so sorry for your loss Michelle…I know the heartbreak of losing a friend from another species…you did your best. Hugs xx Cristina
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Thx Cristina; much appreciated xx
[Reply]
Oh no, Michelle. I am so sorry. Bella Pinta, may she rest in peace. xoxo
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Thanks Susan xx
[Reply]
You loved Pinta her entire life. Knowing someone from the very beginning makes them extra precious to you, and also makes it so very hard to take when they’re gone. I’m so sorry. She was a lovely girl.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Indeed. I think Pinta is the only animal I’ve ever had literally from birth aside from a puppy my family had when I was little — but he wasn’t *mine.* Pinters was. My special goatie. Thank you xx
[Reply]
I don’t know how you found the courage to cut into her, but I know when you love something or someone that much, you muster the reserve to do it. I know how hard it is to lose a loved animal, and my heartfelt sympathies go out to you. I’m sure she knows you did everything you could for her. Pinta was a darling goat and I love that photo of her practically prancing.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
I imagine adrenalin kicked in, but I was still scared out of my mind — I knew she was probably going anyway, but I certainly didn’t want to cause her more pain or end things myself. My hand was steady as I did the cut, but as soon as I handed the knife back to P, it was shaking like crazy. My poor girl 🙁
[Reply]
She was a beauty. I’m so sorry.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Thank you, Kathy; she was a true gem xx
[Reply]
My heart goes out to you….it is a feeling of such helplessness when one cannot save them. The global goat sisterhood mourns with you, and remembers Pinta in their hearts.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Thx so much, Claire. Such an awesome sisterhood xx
[Reply]
I am so sorry, Michelle. It’s never easy, and it’s worse when you start playing those guessing games. I’ve never seen animals that can capture the heart so easily and cause so much worry because they always seem to have something going on. It’s a shame the vet couldn’t have seen her, but I’ve found they are not always useful. I’ve heard of puncturing a cow with bloat, but it’s not very easy to safe one that way. Blessings to you from all of us at Eden Hills.
[Reply]
michelle Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Unfortunately goats around here are not considered worthy of saving many times — most people have huge herds, not like us. I just can’t stop going back through everything in my mind…it’s horrible 🙁 Thank you for your kind words and thoughts xx
[Reply]
Oh no, Michelle I’m so sorry to hear this. You were very brave… I am without words for the sad sad news.
Poverina Pinta and you and Paolo.
Un abbraccio
[Reply]
My heart broke with you when I read this. Sending virtual hugs and my most sincere condolences.
[Reply]