{livestock vs. pets}
For some people there is a clear line between their livestock and their pets.
I will admit that line gets blurred at our place sometimes with certain animals. The pigs, for example, we knew their purpose and there was no issue with that. You still love them, take the best care possible of them and give them a great life to grow. You know you'll get all the back from them in the end. People have asked, "how can you name these animals and then go on to eat them?" There's a line you draw in your head/heart and we explain that to the kids. These animals are here to provide the healthiest nourishment we could possibly get. Raising them with respect and care only adds to the benefits of that. The kids are the reason I can do it, knowing we raised healthy natural meat for our family is a great feeling. Its not always easy, it's human nature to get attached to them. I think it would be weird if we didn't feel bad when their time is up but that doesn't stop us from enjoying them while we have them.
For me, and I think Dan would agree, the line gets blurry with the goats. We have some goats that are born with their final destination already determined. Then we have our "moms". The does that we keep for breeding and they become special. Poppy was the first animal ever born at the farm. She has been a great goat for the kids to learn with. She has the best personality and had her place firmly staked out with us. Last year was the first year she could breed and she ended up having a still birth. This year our excitement grew as we noticed she was pregnant again and defiantly has multiples! She went into labor on the 21st, the kids were tangled and we called the vet for assistant. Only one of the 2 bucklings survived. It was a 3.5 hour long process with the vet trying to deliver the kids. Poppy was left in rough shape to say the least. The vet was actually surprised she was even alive. We started anti-biotics and said prayers. Her buckling, Uno, died a few days ago, he just never gained his strength. Most likely due to the fact she could barely stand to feed him. Without that supply of mother's milk the kids don't get the immunity they need. Last night Poppy passed away from her complications. Seeing any of the animals die is hard even when you have that wall up knowing their purpose. Whether it's a predator attack, sickness or birth complications we are all affected by it. Poppy was on the pet side of the blurry line for sure. I decided she needed some recognition for everything she has brought to our lives.
I will admit that line gets blurred at our place sometimes with certain animals. The pigs, for example, we knew their purpose and there was no issue with that. You still love them, take the best care possible of them and give them a great life to grow. You know you'll get all the back from them in the end. People have asked, "how can you name these animals and then go on to eat them?" There's a line you draw in your head/heart and we explain that to the kids. These animals are here to provide the healthiest nourishment we could possibly get. Raising them with respect and care only adds to the benefits of that. The kids are the reason I can do it, knowing we raised healthy natural meat for our family is a great feeling. Its not always easy, it's human nature to get attached to them. I think it would be weird if we didn't feel bad when their time is up but that doesn't stop us from enjoying them while we have them.
For me, and I think Dan would agree, the line gets blurry with the goats. We have some goats that are born with their final destination already determined. Then we have our "moms". The does that we keep for breeding and they become special. Poppy was the first animal ever born at the farm. She has been a great goat for the kids to learn with. She has the best personality and had her place firmly staked out with us. Last year was the first year she could breed and she ended up having a still birth. This year our excitement grew as we noticed she was pregnant again and defiantly has multiples! She went into labor on the 21st, the kids were tangled and we called the vet for assistant. Only one of the 2 bucklings survived. It was a 3.5 hour long process with the vet trying to deliver the kids. Poppy was left in rough shape to say the least. The vet was actually surprised she was even alive. We started anti-biotics and said prayers. Her buckling, Uno, died a few days ago, he just never gained his strength. Most likely due to the fact she could barely stand to feed him. Without that supply of mother's milk the kids don't get the immunity they need. Last night Poppy passed away from her complications. Seeing any of the animals die is hard even when you have that wall up knowing their purpose. Whether it's a predator attack, sickness or birth complications we are all affected by it. Poppy was on the pet side of the blurry line for sure. I decided she needed some recognition for everything she has brought to our lives.
Poppy was born in the rain on Father's Day while we were at brunch.
Poppy and Uno
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