Sunday, March 04, 2012

Many Thanks


It was a hard, hard, hard day here yesterday, pretty close to the hardest day ever. So there is no easy way to tell it.

Hannah Belle was not progressing in her labor and suddenly started to go downhill fast. The kids had to come out right away. She was rushed into the hospital for a c-section.

The c-section went well, but the kids - beautiful triplet doelings - could not be saved.

Hannah Belle was discharged immediately with an i.v. and a collection of medicines. It was a rough trip home, but we hoped that she would start to improve once she was settled back in her stall with Betty. That did not happen.

Hannah Belle collapsed and died in the farmer's arms about an hour after getting home. That is hard to write, because once it is written down we have no choice but to believe it. And how could something like that, something so completely impossible, be true.

But it is.

Thanks to everyone who kept sending good thoughts to Hannah Belle.

Thanks to Betty's one-day-old son Cubby, who liked to sleep right next to his grandma, and kept her interested in life even when the going was tough.

Thanks to Hannah Belle for all her beautiful kids. Thanks to Hannah Belle for all the joy she brought us for eight years. Thanks to Hannah Belle for being so completely her mother's daughter. Thanks to Hannah Belle for being Hannah Belle. Nobody else could have done it.

Now she is with her mother, and her daughters.

And we are here without her.








Hannah Belle and her Farmer.




45 comments :

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Reading your blog has been a real treat and Hannah Belle sounds like just the sweetest goat. She will be missed.

Puddles said...

Mary,

We're so sorry for your loss. It is also our loss, and everyone else who has become part of your family. We're happy that Hanna Belle lives on through her children and grandchildren. We're taking good care of Duchess and looking forward to carrying on the line.

Don and Kathy

Ozarks Goat Girl said...

I am so very sorry about dear Hannah Belle. I worried all day when no new postings came. I know the goat farmer did everything possible to save Hanah Belle. Everything. For some reason it just wasn't meant to be this time. Such a sudden loss of a goat that was so dear to you is terribly painful--I know from my own losses. That old saying is true--the one about how grief is the price we pay for loving. The price is worth it every time, though. Hannah Belle will never be replaced in your heart or forgotten. She was a one-of-a-kind trouble-making, laugh- provoking, full of personality girl that made my own miscreant goat, Whitey, look like a saint. Tears fall here in Missouri for a goat I never met and the farmer who loves her still. Thank you for sharing Hannah Belle with me.

Grumpy Goat said...

I am so sorry to read of your loss.

Brenda said...

I'm so sorry. I haven't written often, but look forward to each new posting. More tears are flowing in Missouri. I pray peace to your broken hearts.

Lauren said...

Oh, I am so so sad to hear this. Many hugs to all. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Sparrow said...

*tears* I'm so very sorry for your many losses and heart break. {{{hugs}}}

Kimberly said...

I am so sorry for your losses, triplet does is hard but Hannah Belle is so very painful. Wishing you comfort. ~~Selkie and Sarabi's goatmama

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry. Just to see her picture is to love her. She was fortunate to have excellent care and love her whole life.

Melodie said...

Oh,I am so very sorry.I know your heart is broken.Rest in peace dear Hanna Belle.

Australian Cart Goats said...

So sorry to hear of dear Hannah Belle's passing what a sad loss for you all.

Mimi Foxmorton said...

Will it help if I cry with you...?

Many Blessings and hugs........
xoxo

Mimi

Jill said...

Its so hard to loose one of our four legged hairy children. SOme people say they are just animals and thats so not true. I feel sad for them people cause they have not expierenced the unconditional love you can recieve from someone like Hannah Belle. Our hearts here in Kentucky are heavy for your loss. Hannah is a goaty angel now and will be watching over you and yours from the greenest pastures in heaven.

Terry Golson said...

Oh, there are no words.

Karen C said...

I am so very sorry - you did so much, I wish they all could have been okay. Our hearts are breaking with yours. Take care.

Anonymous said...

That is terrible news... When I read that paragraph, my mouth literly dropped open. How could Hannah Belle be gone?

Lisa said...

I am so sorry.

Willow Fen Farm Goats said...

We send our deepest condolences to the entire Herron Hill family! We know and understand the feeling of loss that comes when a member of the family is suddenly gone.

Goat Girls Rule! said...

Goat Girls Cry.

SueP said...

Words cannot express.
Disbelief. Tears. Shock. More tears.
Hannah Belle will live on in our hearts. She was so special.
Thank you for sharing her with us.

Marigold said...

Oh, Mary ......

goatgirl said...

We will miss that little goat. I hope not to make her into a saint after she dies like they did my mother in law. Hannah Belle had a devilish spirit and was responsible for a lot of high jinx around the farm. She gave fodder for some pretty good stories.
When you feel like it, it would be fun if you retold a few of those...especially the one where she is stuck in the tube gate while the dairy inspector is walking through.
Hugs to you farmer. She will be missed.

Millie said...

We are so very sorry. All of us at Eden Hills send the warmest thoughts for those loving memories to carry you through.

Jlou said...

OH Hannah Belle, your name will go on as one of the sweetest, goatiest human-lovers of all. Goat farmer, we are sending you hugs from the east coast.

Anonymous said...

We're all so incredibly sorry to hear of your loss. She was a character of characters. In fact, to bide her time while she waits for you over the Rainbow Bridge, I think she will likely lead the others there in deftly coordinated raids on the barns and bins in the area. Can't let the skills get rusty... ;-)

Anonymous said...

Tears flowing here in WV for the Herron Hill family. Deepest sympathy.

Teresa Saum said...

Oh, no. I am so sad. I am very sorry for your loss of beautiful Hannah Belle. Your hearts must be very heavy.

Trisha said...

I'm so sorry to hear of Hannah Belle's passing... and sorry to hear her doelings didn't make it. What a sad loss. Very sorry.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Though I never met Hannah Belle your stories let me enjoy her, and your, adventures from way over here in Connecticut. My heart goes out to you. You did everything you could.

Tammy said...

I'm so very sorry. I'm not even a 'goat girl' but I love your blog and I loved Hannah Belle and I don't know what else to say because I know how much you are hurting.
Tammy

Anne said...

So sorry to hear about Hannah Belle - and so true that to love is to feel the pain as well.

DebH said...

I'm sorry and heartbroken for you. She was a good girl and you did all you could. Please take care and take time.

by Chickory Blossom said...

Everyone in our herd will miss hearing of Hannah Belle's antics. She really set the bar...or rather broke the bar, and the gates, and the fencing. We will storm the grain room in her honor.

Queenacres said...

I am so so sorry for your loss. For your losses.

Anonymous said...

The girls and I are so sorry. It sounds like a very traumatic day, please take care of yourself. Hugs. Kathy, Caitie and Summer

Danni said...

Oh no, no, no! :-(
I am so sorry.
Hannah Belle, you mischievous girl, you will be missed by more people than you can possibly imagine.
I'm so sorry for the pain and tremendous loss you all are feeling. Sending you warm thoughts and big hugs from Oregon.
Hannah Belle will be terribly missed, but she will also be remembered. ♥

SincerelyRhoda said...

My deepest regards to all of Hannah Belle's family. I am sorry for your loss!

Anonymous said...

My sincerest condolences for your loss - I know how much it hurts when you lose a sweet goat girl. I am so very glad you were together as she took her last breath and winged her way to another place. May solace find it's way to you as you remember the life you shared together.

Diaryblogger said...

I'm so sorry to hear about this loss. I have loved reading about Hannah Belle and her rascally behavior. thank you for sharing your stories about her.

Lucie said...

I grieve with you. Goddess bless them all.

Anonymous said...

No. No. It can't be true.

Unknown said...

I recently joined the Fraternity of Goat Lovers...I have had my two little gals for only a week. I happened upon your blog in my quest to learn more about my new passion and I am so very sorry to hear of your loss.

Lori said...

Wonderful pictures of Hannah Belle and what an out pouring of support from so many people who know the Farmer and the antics of Hannah Belle. Such a loving tribute. Especially like the comment about HB living on through her children and grand children.

Claire MW said...

So very sorry to read about this, and sorry to be late in commenting. Having been on my own emotional roller coaster, plus loss of my greyhound and angora goat, I have been remiss in blog reading and catching up. The loss of the kids and Hannah Belle all at the same time is just wrenching. She will live on in the memories of those who have grown to love her, even though we never met her. xox

Mimi Foxmorton said...

Blessings.
:'(

That's all......just Blessings.......

*hugs*
Mimi