| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Jan 17 2009 : 7:18:50 PM
Hi everyone. I just wanted to let those know who have been following Olivia, that we had a terrible tragedy this week. We had a mountain lion attack and they got four of our goats including Olivia. The only one to survive was Mr. T, probably because he is the biggest. We're still trying to deal with all of it, but I just wanted to let you know what happened. Thanks for all of your support. Diana
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy store on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Feb 04 2009 : 05:55:47 AM
I am soorry about your goatees...we had this very thing happen when we lived in the mountains, except it was a bear....what a mess!!!
but,. even worse, my heart was broke, they were my GIRLS!
My heart goes out to you friend!!!!
Farmgirl Sister #368
http://froccsfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com
http://thecontentedwoman.blogspot.com
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| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Jan 29 2009 : 8:55:39 PM
Thanks Kelley. Being farmgirls I think we learn a lot of hard lessons. My hubby and I are planning ahead and have intentions of starting over, so we're beginning to feel better. We've learned a lot. Take care, Diana
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy store on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com |
| farmmommy |
Posted - Jan 29 2009 : 06:09:03 AM
Diana, i'm so sorry for your loss, it it always sad to loose a pet, especially for us farmgirls, since so many of us tend to treat our pets more like family than animals. hang in there, and hopefully there will be brighter days ahead! kelley |
| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Jan 28 2009 : 09:02:44 AM
Thanks so much Tracy. I am going to get a copy so I can read up on them some more. I've just about convinced my hubby that is the way to go! Lots of hugs!
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy store on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jan 28 2009 : 08:14:13 AM
A GOOD guardian dog WILL take on young ones! My LGD, Eli, had his own little lamb that he was raising a few years ago. (unfortunately, we lost her at 1mo old from bloat- the only case we've ever had!) Her mother was NOTORIOUS for having lambs then just walking away from them right after giving birth (last Spring was the exception).
Eli protected "his lamb" from the other animals, kept her clean and warm, and put up with her peskiness. I bottle fed her, of course, but in all other respects HE was her "mama." It was the sweetest thing to see. When she died, he greived for 2 solid weeks. He moped, he cried, he would lay down and put his head in my lap and just stare up at me with those big sad eyes-- it was heartbreaking to watch. But, as they say-- the sun comes out again tomorrow-- there's always another Spring which almost always brings MORE babies for him to love and fuss over. I wonder sometimes if he remembers her....?
Oh, and if anyone would like to learn A LITTLE about some of the Livestock guarding breeds take a look at the new issue of "Grit" magazine. I was at the feed store the other day and the big white dog on the cover caught my eye -- a "Maremma" Livestock Guardian Dog-- it looks almost EXACTLY like my Eli-- Only, I think MY boy is MUCH MORE handsome!!! (Do I sound bias? LOL!!!) Worth the few $$$ for anyone curious about LGD's. Also, there are some GREAT potato salad recipes in this issue too --- YUM!!!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| barnagainkristin |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 7:37:30 PM
So sorry about your loss. I know our goats are such a little loving family to each other and I can't imagine poor Mr. T. I hope you are able to protect him and maybe find him a buddy soon. Maybe he will bond with the guard dog if you find one. We had a goat that was rather young when her mother passed away and our gentle giant dog took her under his wings and protected her. They would actually lay side by side until we got another goat buddy for her. Best wishes and I hope the mountain lions are long gone from your area.
barnagainkristin
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir |
| berryhill |
Posted - Jan 24 2009 : 08:56:32 AM
Diana, I am just sick for you and your family. What a tragedy. Your photos of the flock are just so precious...
Linda |
| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 7:48:21 PM
Thanks Tracy, it is so much to consider, which is probalby why we did not deal with it earlier. We've always had "pet" dogs which makes this a whole new adventure. Thanks again for all your information...we will seriously think about it! Diana
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy store on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 11:07:52 AM
The guadian dog should not pose a problem with the other animals Diana-- especially if you start with a pup. They learn their role on the farm very quickly and who's SUPPOSED to be there and who's NOT. We've gotten other dogs since my LGD came here and he accepted them readily once he understood that they were now part of HIS family. He still won't tolerate my husbands lab chasing the chickens though! One good chomp on the butt was all it took for the Lab to let the birds be! But no harm was done to the other dog, just a quick lesson learned, and the two get along ok when they are around eachother.
He has also made friends with a neighbor's dog. They chase eachother along the fence line, and, when the dog comes over to our place, they play like the good buddies they are. (the other dog has never shown any interest in our stock- which is a GOOD thing!) My dog IS fixed, so that's a big part of his tolerance I think. None of the other dogs have been altered yet. Were he still "Intact" there might be a problem. Unless you plan on breeding Guardian dogs in the future, your best bet is to spay or neuter your pup at the appropriate time.
Do ask all the questions you can possibly think of regarding the particular breed you are considering. As any of the ladies here who HAVE LGD's will tell you, they are not a breed (ANY OF THEM!) for the faint of heart. They are VERY LARGE dogs and some tend to get a little snippy at a certain stage in their growing years (about 18mos it seems)-- I guess you could say they go through their own version of "The TERRIBLE twos!!" They must also be handled VERY differently from a "PET" dog-- no chains, no hitting (Unless you want to lose an arm!!) and they tend to have their OWN agendas in a crisis (and NOT!). They are very independant thinkers and tend to IGNORE their "Masters" when they feel THEIR way of doing something is better. But, they are also very LOYAL, very LOVING and extremely sensitive creatures.
These dogs are NOT for everybody, and for a person who does not take all of these things into consideration-- who have no patience, no respect, and no tolerance for dogs who act independantly-- these dogs can be downright DANGEROUS!!!! A mutual respect must be garnerd between humans and these dogs or things can turn UGLY very fast. I'm not trying to frighten you, or anyone else, just trying to help. Trust me when I say that if you treat these dogs with love, respect, the appropriate kind -- and amount of discipline, AND lots of affection-- you will NEVER be sorry you brought one home. They are truly WONDERFUL dogs if you raise them right. I honestly could not imagine life without my big slobbering lug!! I wish you the best, whatever you choose to do. And again, I'm very sorry for your loss. ~~Hugs to you~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 08:12:15 AM
Diana- So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed the Oliva stories. Dh brought up the White City area as a possible place to look at property the day I read this.......what a coincidence huh? Take care and make sure you stay safe.
Lillian |
| janiee |
Posted - Jan 20 2009 : 07:52:16 AM
Diana, just read this...how horrible for you and them. I am soo sorry, I know they were "family" and i enjoyed seeing the pictures and all....please hang in there.
janiee
farmgirl #390 |
| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Jan 19 2009 : 9:00:14 PM
Thank you so much Tracy. I have just e-mailed the people who sold us the goats, and they breed guard dogs as well. I am trying to figure out how we could have one, and balance it with our llamas and our house dog (quite the wuss, but such a lovely human being). We'll just have to figure out a way to make it work. Thanks again for the encouragement!
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy store on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jan 19 2009 : 12:45:49 PM
Diana I'm so sad and sorry for your loss. I have goats too (23 of them as of yesterday!) and my heart is simply breaking for you!!!
I have a dog-- a Maremma to be exact-- and his sole purpose is to guard "HIS" goats with his life!!! While we are fortunate enough not to have Mountain Lions in our area (we live in the Sac Valley), we DO have lots of coyotes and marauding dogs!!! (People move out here from the "city" and think it's OK to just let their animals roam free). We have never lost a critter in the six years that we have had him. (except chickens-- he doesn't seem to think they are part of HIS "family") He is such a blessing to us!!
You might want to look into possibly getting a guardian dog -- some of the breeds good for mountain lion protection are -Anatolian Shepherds, Akbash, Kuvasz, Maremmas (which have personalities similar to Great Pyrenees) and one or two other breeds. I would shy away from mixed breed LGD's though, unless you raise them from a pup-- but even then you never know which breeds characteristics will come out as the dog grows. Just something to think about.
Again, my DEEPEST sympathy to you and your family. ~~~ Hugs, and shared tears ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| crafter |
Posted - Jan 19 2009 : 12:31:56 PM
I am SO SAD for you. I am keeping you in my prayers- it is so hard to lose animals!
Lori
Have a Country Day |
| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 9:26:12 PM
Thank you everyone and lots of farmgirl Hugs to you also.
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy store on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com |
| acairnsmom |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 7:46:42 PM
Oh Diana, this just makes me sick. Olivia was so special, I feel I've lost a dear friend. My heart aches for you and your family.
((((HUGS))))
Audrey
Toto, we're not in Kansas any more! |
| nubidane |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 2:16:12 PM
Diana, so sorry for such a loss. I have 2 goats & feel so protective of them; it just horrifies me that something could get them like that. I keep thinking of Miss Olivia in her cute little tie dyed sweater that you last posted. What a sweetie |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 1:16:57 PM
Diana, I just saw this. It's just too sad. I am so sorry for you. I was so loving your precious goats and Olivia was the sweetest one. I just hate that this has happened to them. This is heartbreaking to see this. Mr. T is probably so tramatized to have seen it all.
I just hope you are ok and I am just so very sorry.
Hugs and prayers are being sent your way, to you and your family.
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 12:56:59 PM
Thank you Karen. I totally agree with you!
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy store on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 12:52:57 PM
Oh, Diana, I'm in shock! I loved looking at your pictures of Olivia - they warmed my heart and always made me smile. She will live on in all of our memories - her beautiful face and spirit touched so many of us. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know all of your animals are special and to lose them like you did is just heart-wrenching. It's good to hear that there's protection for you if your animals are harmed. I don't believe in needless killing but we also need to be able to protect ourselves and our "family."
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Maven's Haven Editor
Farmgirl Sister #311 |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 12:14:03 PM
I am so very sorry, Diana. This is very sad news.
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 09:09:55 AM
Thank you all. I still feel so bad and it happened on Thursday morning. The worst part was that the lions only killed two of them (the littlist of course) and then they "ran" the other two to death and just left them there. It was such a waste. We actually hired someone to come out and hunt the lions, but they haven't had any luck and I think they may have moved on. Yes, cougars are protected, but thankfully in Oregon if they harm your livestock you can kill them.
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy store on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 07:48:21 AM
so very sorry to hear about this. hugs to you.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.net
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 07:41:43 AM
I am so sorry for your loss.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| Bellepepper |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 06:56:29 AM
While reading this, I have gone from sad to mad. Is anything being done to control the mountain lions? Is there laws protectiong the mountain lions? Evidently there are none to protect your precious animals. |
