We have a couple of visitors to the farm — a Lamancha named Drama Queen and a Nigerian Dwarf whether named Jack.

Normally I do not board/house goats for others due to bio-security reasons, but there are exceptions to every rule. And these special circumstances justified an exception.

The owners of Drama and Jack only have these two goats, and one of them they got from me. Jack, whose full name is “Jack-O-Lantern,”  lived with my herd his entire life until going to live with my friends. Drama has also been tested negative for CAE, CL, and Johnes. I am treating these two like I would any new addition. They will be quarantined and then re-tested for disease before introduction to the main herd. Drama will hopefully be pregnant before they go home, if all goes to plan.

Unfortunately, Drama isn’t just here to go on a date, however. Without divulging too much personal information, I will tell you that the main reason I’m boarding these two is because my friends have been facing a very difficult season medically.

The father of the family was diagnosed with cancer last year. He is now in remission from his cancer, but he faced another challenge: a venous malformation in his brain. Shortly after brain surgery was scheduled for him, their oldest daughter who left this year to attend college six hours away, suffered from a strange and unexpected neurological condition that was triggered by donating blood. She was hospitalized and then released home for more testing. She was released to go back to school shortly before her dad’s surgery, although she was not yet completely healed and the doctors still weren’t sure what caused her neurological problems. Thankfully she is much better, but she did have a temporary relapse that coincided with her father’s surgery.

After he had his surgery, things did not go entirely as expected. He suffered a brain bleed which resulted in a stroke. Currently he is unable to use his right side and his speech is intermittent. He has been entered into a rehab facility where they expect he will spend several weeks.

With six children, one with medical concerns of her own, and the husband in the hospital, the mother was understandably unable to care for the goats daily like she used to. The goats were placing an extra burden on an already heavily pressured family, so they are hanging out with my crew for now. I’m so glad that I am able to keep them here until this rough season passes for them.

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers as they work toward recovery. I know that in time he will be up and at ’em again!

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26

Cheers