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Not to be.
When I had gone out to feed Glacier and Ginger, I noticed Ginger wasn't her usual self. That means she didn't try to rush me for the hay, or kick Glacier away or switch piles three or four times just to prove she was the toughest horse in the pasture.
I mentioned it to my neighbor, whose property the horses are on and whose daughter owns Ginger.
" I'll be home later if you need me," says I.
Then I went to said dinner, had aforementioned drink and was anticipating the snuggle.
Drove past our neighbors driveway on the way home and EVERY light was on.
Uh-oh!
Did I mention I left my miserable tether - the cell phone- at home on the desk?
Enter home, phone message lights were blinking- cell phone was beeping.
Horse not good- please come over and help us!
Yikes!
Changed out of clean and good smelling clothes, removed good ostrich boots, took out fancy turquoise earrings- pulled on muddy jeans, old sweatshirt and head scarf and gum boots. Clomped over to neighbors in the dark.
Ginger is tied at rail, not colic as I had feared (with all this rain and sun and such that is usually what happens around here) but her teats were swollen four time normal size, leaking pus and all kinds of other gunk. Owner is hot packing and trying to relieve pressure. Ginger is uncomfortable but not dying. Relief. Helped Owner pack and treat, discuss options, all the while my couch is calling...calling....
Then from one of the upper goat barns- " Oh CRAP!"
What is it? Are you OK?
Mama goat is birthing- ten days early! Bubble exposed! OH no! Get water and gear up here -PRONTO!
Scurry! Scurry!
BAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
NO progression after an hour. ( Couch? What couch?)
Finally Neighbor pulls the kid- shaking her head, muttering, " I just know this one is going to be dead.."
Daughter (owner of Ginger) "Ma, give it a minute! I've got to check the mare."
Back down the stairs we go to check mare, milk more, put her away.
"I'll go back help Ma," I say
I get into barn and go "Holy Cow! Or Holy Goat as the case may be!"
Neighbor has a head out, but the legs are back and stuck, she works a second or two and pulls kid,
" I just know this is... "
"Hand me that suction bulb! Hand me that clean rag!"
Big black kid emerges takes a breath! Bleats and breaths! NOT dead!
Another bubble, this one coming faster.
" Here rub this one!"
She reaches in and pulls out another kid, carmel this time, rubs, suctions, rubs, suctions! A bleat!
Another live one!
WOW!
We haven't done this in awhile!
Two healthy happy baby goats, two happy owners, still one halfway sick horse- but a good night all the way around.
Finally home- 11:30 PM.
Straight to bed.
Who needs TV anyway!
5 comments:
Too bad about missing out on the couch time...but look at it this way...Not everyone is lucky enough to new life come to be. No matter how many times I see it, I still get that rush. Don't matter what type of critter it is.
Not so interested in the human birthing process though-LOL
What the heck is up with the mare though? Very strange if she is not bred or has a baby. Let us know more.;)
Yea! Glad the critters made it! You're such a good neighbor.
Ahh, how sweet are those new little babies. Wow, too cool. I'm envious. Now on to your mare. Has she been around a stallion, even if he's a little over a yearling. This sounds like she's got a dead fetus in there. And I don't envy you this problem.
Enjoy your babies and keep us posted about your mare.
I'm exhausted just reading about your day. I'm glad the kids are okay and that the mare's on her way to being okay.
OH MY!! What an eventful evening!! Glad everyone is OK!!
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