We laid our precious boy Finn to rest this afternoon. We don’t know what caused his decline, but he was losing weight throughout the spring and looked unthrifty. He went almost totally off feed about three weeks ago and just faded away. Three vets couldn’t find anything wrong with him and unfortunately we weren’t able to do a full necropsy. It’s possible he developed abomasal ulcers but we’ll never know. He lost his position in the herd last fall and it never set well with him. He became rather depressed and distant from the other goats and he became slowly less active and eventually less interested in food as time went on. Blood and urine analysis showed nothing remarkable, chest x-rays revealed no tumors, and there were no problems in the lower digestive tract. Unfortunately we were not able to get a necropsy of the stomachs, so if it was ulcers we’ll never know. We’re just devastated that he died this way. At 10 years old, he was simply too young. He was so strong just last fall, and he carried the lion’s share of our gear in Utah. He was such a splendidly beautiful goat, and so sweet and gentle with everybody. There are no words to describe how much we’re going to miss him. He spent a lot of the last few days with his head in me or Phil’s lap. He loved snuggling and I’m going to miss his bright, eager expression. He was always the first to come up for treats or loves, and he firmly believed that every visitor to our property came here just to see him personally. I never worried that he was going to smack a kid or poke somebody with his magnificent, branching horns. Finn was always a gentleman. I don’t believe there will ever be another to equal him. He was one-of-a-kind. A true G.O.A.T.   

It was a 4th of July for the record books. The day was clear and cool and Phil and I took Finn and Pongo to Cuchara for their lovely parade and small-town celebration. Finn has been doing very poorly these last couple of months. Vets can’t find anything wrong with him, but he’s gone off feed and has been dropping weight to the point where he looks like a shadow of his former self. We’re concerned that we may be losing him, but he still wants to go out and do things. We thought perhaps a ride in the truck and change of scenery would lift his spirits. And it certainly did!

We fitted Finn and Pongo out in empty pack saddles for the parade and sat on the sidelines so we could watch most it go by before we stepped in near the end. This way we got to see all the entries and collect a lot of candy, flags, beads, and other decorations for our goats before joining the parade ourselves. WIN! 
The goats were a huge hit, and people especially loved seeing us feed them the candy they tossed at us. Both goats love Tootsie Rolls. Finn also liked the Sour Patch Kids. 
The problem, of course, is that Phil also likes Sour Patch Kids. You know you love your goat when you agree to share your favorite candy with him! 
Look closely. I think Finn and Phil are making the exact same face in this photo!

Finn was very tired and spent a lot of time leaning his head against Phil.

After the parade we found a shady spot to park the goats while we ate some lunch. Loads of people stopped by to meet the boys. We enjoyed telling them that Pongo is Finn’s great-grandson.
Our friend Jordan joined us for lunch. Finn says, “Can I please have some potato chips?”
“Of course you can!” (It’s hard to refuse a polite request from such a beautiful goat)

“Can I have some Coke too, please?”

“Well, just a sip.” (I’m not sure he liked it very much, but for that matter, neither do I. I’m more of a Dr. Pepper gal.)

After lunch, Phil and I tethered the goats in a shady spot with lots of grass while we played mini golf. After that it was time for slushies. Goats LOVE slushies!

Pongo agrees: It was a banner day! One of the best 4th of July celebrations ever!

My mom was determined to see Ziggy’s babies as soon as possible after they were born, and to bring her grandkids (my nephews and niece) with her as well. Robert, Sam and Lily all fell in love with Ziggy when she was a youngster and they’re always very excited when Ziggy has babies of her own.

Sam couldn’t be happier than when he’s snuggling with McGonagall.

My mom cradles little Tonks in her arms.

Lily takes a turn with McGonagall.

And finally Robert cuddles Tonks, who appears very content in his arms.

Moony is always extremely curious about everyone and everything that goes on at Goat-O-Rama, and he’s determined to be involved. Ziggy was NOT pleased with this intruder coming over to meet her new babies, but eventually she went out to graze and Moony moved in to investigate.
I was impressed by how gentle he was when checking out the new arrivals. Many kids his age would be rough and try to knock the babies down, but Moony only wanted to sniff them curiously.

I love the bewildered look on his face after he checked out the new kids. “Why won’t they play with me, and why are they so tiny?”

Ziggy was the last doe to kid in 2024, and she produced two gorgeous little doelings. She kept us guessing as to who would be here to deliver them. Phil was on a business trip in California until a couple of days after Ziggy’s due date so we thought he would miss the blessed event. But she held out until he returned and instead decided to deliver when I was gone on an all-day trip to the Sand Dunes. It was Phil’s first time delivering kids without me around, and he did a great job! He was happy that it all went smoothly and Ziggy didn’t need any help except for a dose of calcium to encourage stronger contractions. When I got home these two were clean and dry and cozily bedded down for the night. 
The first to be born was “McGonagall”, named for the professor in the Harry Potter books. I’ve never seen a kid this color before. She’s a dusky rose hue which I suppose we’d call red roan with blue roan accents. She’s stunning!

The second one took a little longer to name, but we eventually settled on “Tonks”, also from the Harry Potter books. She’s a classic chamoisee color with no white markings, which is unusual in our herd, but this year we have two of them! Tonks could be Esmeralda’s identical twin!

McGonagall has my favorite type of ears: One up, one down. I suspect the “down” one will perk up and become erect like the other in a few days, but I always love the lopsided look for as long as it lasts. I’d be thrilled if we ever got one whose ears stayed like this.

“Congratulations, Phil, on delivering some very beautiful, healthy babies all by yourself!”