You always know there will be days like this. But that doesn't help when they come.
Yesterday the farmer found Penrose lying slumped against the fence behind the barn. She looked like she had just fallen over. Like maybe she had a heart attack.
Last week we were laughing because everyone is growing out their beards but Penrose can't grow hers out even though it is a nice one because every baby here comes and stands under Penrose's chin and chews her beard down to the nubbins so it never gets more than an inch long. Because she won't shoo them away.
She was never sick a day in her life and we don't know what happened. Probably her heart was too big if I had to guess. The last thing she did was give some extra milk for Moldy's little son Chance.
She came here from Walla Walla in the back of an old Ford pickup truck with my grandmother Baby Belle when she was a kid. She looked just like an ordinary run-of-the-mill Toggenburg. But she wasn't.
Penrose was nine years old.
23 comments :
I think that the end of this summer can't come quick enough for you there. I am so, so sad to hear this. Nine is old for a goat, but not nearly old enough for those left to go on without her.
Farewell, sweet Penrose.
Saint Penrose, no, no, no.
Millie, Goatfarmer, I am sorrier than words can say.
I'm so sorry about Penrose. I've loved hearing the sweet stories about her. Losing them no matter how old they are is sure hard. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers as you adjust to life without her.
Some years are just hard.
She lived a wonderful goat life... reaching out to all the little guys with sweet milk and kindness.
Her legacy is solid, her acolytes scampering through the fields. It is enough.
Memories will soften the hurt.
I'm so sorry to hear you've lost such a sweet lady. Blessings.
I am so, so sorry. Tears are flowing for you all from down here in Tenino. :*(
There are no words, only shared tears.
I am so so sorry for the loss of such a loving, giving lady.
It's been several hours since I first read of Penrose and my heart is so heavy I can hardly breathe. Thousands of miles away from her, I mourn her passing. Your photo of her shows how very sweet natured she was. I am just stricken with sorrow.
I'm so sorry! She truly was Saint Penrose.
Sold Fritzi and Frodo, broke her heart.
Our shepherdess and our whole herd said prayers for you and your whole herd today at milking time. We know these next weeks will be a roller coaster of sadness then smiles. When you need to cry, cry. When you feel like giggling, giggle. Penrose was so lucky to be so loved by you.
PG
Utterly Blessed Farm
Oh no, not Penrose....we are so so sorry to hear this. Was there ever such a sweet goat....I remember Saint Penrose from my short time at Herron Hill and she was even sweet to me...Please give the Farmer a hug from all of us....there are just no words! :(
Oh, GoatFarmer. This is not a good year. But Penrose is with Belle now, and Hannah Belle. As a matter of fact, perhaps Penrose was needed to keep Hannah Belle from escaping up there. Perhaps there are no horse trailers in Heaven and, well, someone has to watch her. Biggest of hugs to you, but aren't you glad you got to keep her for a little while? (((((((((((((((*)))))))))))))))))
Very very glad to have known her.
It was a mild, sunny day
When all the goats came in to lay
In their barn bedded down
With pine shavings and soft hay.
And there was no need to frown
Or fret over numbers
For all the does were there
With their kids all a slumber.
And then time stood still
For Herron Hill.
No old age or ills.
No drenches or pills.
The clocks simply stopped
With all at their best
The whole scene locked
To give the poor farmer a much-needed-five-minute rest.
Good bye sweet Penrose.Your spirit will forever remain in the hearts that loved you.
There never lived a sweeter goat. I'm so sorry to hear this awful news.
Buffybelle is not a happy camper over this.
We've spent several days in our strawberry planter lounge chairs, chewing cud thinking about how to express how sad this is. And how sorry we feel for the goat farmer. Every goat farmer should have a Penrose, there as a maternal inspiration to all. Well, not ours of course because she's just got the two of us, but we're talking about REAL goat farmers. We are sad for your whole farm about the Penrose-shaped hole in your barn and your hearts. Please give your goat farmer a gentle hair chew from us.
Dear Millie and Goat Farmer,
I continue to think about sweet Penrose here in hot as Hades Missouri. Seems like time should stop when a loved one, 2-or 4-footed, passes from this life, but we all know that life just keeps rolling along. And so, with that in mind, I am wondering if Helenahandbasket has arrived yet?
Yes, what Ozark Goat Girl said...
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