05/28/2024
We experienced our first loss in the 7 years that we've been sharing goats with Los Angeles. Yesterday, a client's dogs were mistakenly let out of by another person on the property without warning (not us or our staff). They immediately went after Tiny Tim. It was violent, traumatic, but quick. When I say my goats are family. I mean it. They are my kids, my best friends, my little souls. I'm devastated that I won't get to see him grow up or reunite him with his sister Arwen. I'm devastated that he won't get to fulfill his purpose of sharing empathy, joy, and preventing wildfires. In his short 2 months of life, we showed him a big world, love from so many people, and he was a favorite with our therapy clients - especially at retirement communities. I provided him as much love and comfort as possible in his final moments. I am so grateful to have known him. I'm so grateful to my wrangler who did everything right and helped saved Star and Woody from a similar fate. This horrible experience will live with me forever and is one I hope to never relive. When i got home, i shared my grief with the goats. They acted so differently than they ever had - circling me gently, each pressing their bodies into me, sniffing the tears streaming down my face, gently putting a hoof on me in comfort. Their empathetic capacity is amazing. They are such incredible creatures. I'm grateful for their love and friendship. We will continue our NO CONTACT policy regarding dogs. It doesn't matter how well-trained or sweet you think your dog is. You don't know and can't predict what instinct the goats will trigger. Thanks for understanding. If you met Tiny Tim or want to donate something to the rest of my herd in his memory: Venmo (partygoatsla). Thanks for your patience as i take time to process this tragedy.
portraits by .rubinstein
