Jennifer Blacklock

We’ve been eagerly waiting for Scarlet to give birth, not knowing when it would be since we were unsure of the exact timeframe she was bred. We’ve known she was getting close because everyday she looks more gigantic than the day before!

Yesterday it finally happened, ironically after we had all “bet” on when it would be (Lyla was closest, guessing it would be today!)

I looked out the front window and saw Scarlet with her nose down by a tiny white lump. I crept outside and closer to the fence and sure enough, saw that it was a baby goat! I excitedly called the kids out, Leo grabbed my phone and started recording and caught on video the birth of the second baby! This was the first birth we’ve actually gotten to watch because our other goats have had theirs either while we’ve been out or during the night. It was amazing (and she sure made birth look easy! She stood up and squatted, and the baby just slipped right out!)

Scarlet turned her attention from the first baby, still very lump-like and motionless, to the new one, which perked right up as she began to clean it. Uh oh, I thought. Why isn’t the other one as active?

Willa had just woken up from her nap and I expected she would want to nurse, but I quickly wrapped her on my back as I prayed for help to deal with this situation.

I knelt down by the first baby, a male; it was alive, but barely. Its eyes were half shut, its breaths shallow and body limp. My brain raced to remember things I’d read about about helping with kidding. Leo and Lyla quickly began helping and ran to the house for supplies I asked for. I rubbed the baby dry with a towel and suctioned its mouth clear in case it was blocked. Its breaths grew fainter and I knew it was going to die.

I rubbed the tiny body vigorously to try to stimulate breathing and warmth. I kept thinking I dont really know what I’m doing here! but looking back, I see that God supplied me with the knowledge and strength to do what I could.

I hastily looked up how to give a baby goat CPR and did that; but it was already gone. I tried to revive it for a long time, repeating everything again and again, just in case, but finally decided to give up.

Through the whole situation, God provided peace. The kids and I were working very fast and with much concern but not with panic or fear. After it was over, we just sat for a bit to let it all sink in. I cleaned up and nursed Willa, who had been quiet through it all.

We buried the baby behind the house and named him Sweetie.

It was a lot to process the mixed emotions, to have the other kid right there doing so well. We watched it first lifting its head, then, after a bit, standing on its skinny, wobbly legs and, finally, making its first attempts to nurse. It was so exciting and sweet and heartwarming, while we were also still sad and confused about Sweetie dying.

But we’re okay, and we’re thankful. To quote Job: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21)

So, we are excited to introduce the newest member of our little herd: Lamby Herman. So named because his soft, floppy ears make us think of a lamb (and Herman after Babe Ruth, obviously!)