Wednesday, May 2, 2012
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Bella
How do you make her stay
And listen to what you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand?
I got two frantic calls this afternoon. I am in new Orleans at a meeting. The first call, from Amy, went to voice mail. I caught the second one from Brett and ducked outside.
Bella had jumped out again. A common occurrence that is repeated throughout the day, everyday. But this time, someone took her to the front of our community, a mile or so away, and tied her to a post next to the road. Amy saw her on her way out to school, thank goodness. She came roaring up our driveway and got Brett. Poor Bella was frantic and the rope was wrapped tight around her neck. She could hardly make a sound and Brett had to cut the rope to get it off. He put her in the car and took her home. And he locked her in the goat shed when he left for work.
This has to stop. She was a sitting duck for a predator, tied up like that. And she almost strangled herself. Our fences don't keep her in. She needs a new home; one with tall fences. This is the fourth heart attack she's given us.
She is sweet, friendly and a free spirit. Like Maria in The Sound of Music confined by the walls of her convent.
Anybody want a goat?
Apologies for the weird formatting. I wrote this with my iPad and it doesn't do paragraphs.
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i'm sorry, but, yeah, i can totally understand why you can't keep her any longer. she will eventually get hit by a car or something dire. i always worry about animals causing car accidents. i hope you can find a suitable home for her, but it might be tough.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering...have you tried electric fence? A paddock made of electro-net is fairly goat proof.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Bella would stay in anyone else's fence either, so to me she is better off with you. The only thing I can think of is putting a hot wire on the top of the fence. Maybe when she is home and you are not,she could be put in the horse barn...would that be cooler than the goat shed? So sorry, she is such a cutie.
ReplyDeleteUgh, that's why I stick to sheep. Not smart enough to out think a goat. Or a sheep either...now that I think about it ;-).
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a truly difficult situation. If you keep her you could put an addition on the fence so that it goes inward and then a hot wire.
ReplyDeleteBe careful with any hot wire - please! Goats don't just barely touch it and learn a lesson. Bella will probably end up getting tangled in it and that is HORRIBLE. What I have done in the past is resort to raising the fence. My goats stopped it after they got too big and heavy. I really do sympathize with you and know what a huge problem this is. Whoever tied her up needs their head examined.
ReplyDeleteYikes! So glad she wasn't hurt. Best of luck solving a problem like Bella.
ReplyDeleteMy comment went off sideways somewhere. I commiserate with the worry. Start with a collar and tag, like a dog, so people can call you and know she belongs to someone. A goat pen with a wire lid, or find a petting zoo in need of a character player:)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing as everyone else...get her a collar. My horse went through a phase a few years back where he would drop his fence rails and just go for a walk. There were indeed close calls with cars...not good. I found that a halter with his name (he knows his name) my cell number and the farm address was very helpful. I also found that if I kept him better entertained he would knock it off. Can you give Bella one of those cool rolly feed things where it will take her hours to eat her breakfast?
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