Kamel
It’s been a bad weekend. I will copy my Facebook post:
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I have some very. very bad news. And I know some of you will be as heartbroken as I am right now. Kamel is dead. It comes as a total shock. I just, I don’t even know what to say. It’s so sad. I went there this morning and Alice came to see me before I could open up and go inside. She told me. She had found Kamel. lying peacefully on the floor, no visible signs of anything wrong. But she was dead. I don’t know what happened. She was an old goat. She was sick last year, maybe that weakened her. The others did push her around a bit, but I think she was plenty well fed and I didn’t see anything out of the usual Thursday when I saw her last. I talked to Aase who came by and Bodil on the phone. They both seemed to think that she probably died peacefully of old age, in her sleep. I hope so. It’s just hard to accept. And understand. I staggered home, thinking I might just fall over. Now I can’t stop crying when I think about her. I don’t know what to do with myself. I really loved her. I know a lot of people did A lot of people felt she was special. Lots of kids said she was their favourite because she was so calm and fuzzy and friendly. And lots of people on Facebook have told me she’s their favourite. Her sweetness just comes across, even through the screen. I can’t believe I’m never going to sit in the sun with her and listen to her purr-snoring again. She’ll never come over and stick out her hoof for me to scratch. She’ll never look up at me with that toothy smile again or rub her head against me. Never look at me with that “Can we go to the food place?” look. When she was sick last year we bonded even more and when I was trying to get her to eat I’d take her to the food place in the morning. And letting her out of the pen on Saturdays so she could get a head starts with the food buckets inside. She’d look at me whenever I went close to the gate, to see if I was going to let her out. Ugh it kills me. She was so sweet and gentle compared to the others. When she wanted to chase one of the younger goats away from the food she was never growling or headbutting. She would do that thing that almost looked like she was kissing their cheek. Gently nudging them. Which of course never scared anyone away so she had to keep doing it. She rarely butted heads, and usually only if the other goat started it. The only thing that could get her running, if you could call it that, was food. I’m going to miss her so damn much. I can’t even believe it. It’s painful.
I’m so sorry, Kamel. I hope you’re in a good place now, where the peanuts are plentiful. And I hope you knew how loved you were. I tried to make you feel it.
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So there. Really, really sad. I’ve gotten so many comments on Facebook about it. Everyone sweet and supportive. A lot of people say Kamel was their favourite. She was just sweet and lovable.
And I can’t write more now. So let’s take the pictures from this week.
And videos since last.
And the last day with Kamel.
And that’s all for this week.
May 4th, 2015 at 0:05
Oh, Lasse. I am so sorry to hear about Kamel. She certainly grew to be my favorite goatzie, too. Such a nice sweet, gentle girl.
She lived a wonderful life at the playground with you and the other goats. Her last few years were filled with fun and treats and scratches galore. It is so hard to say good bye when it happens so quickly.
But she got to enjoy another spring and all your love and attention, didn’t she. Going peacefully in your sleep doesn’t seem like such a bad way after all. I am comforted in knowing she didn’t have to suffer.
I know it took us a long time to get over missing our dear Frankie. But we are able to remember him and talk about him fondly now. And in time, so will you be able to do the same with Kamel.
Please take comfort in knowing you are not alone in your grief over Kamel. There are many people who would have never met her except through your videos who are just as sad as you are. Please accept their concern on-line and the concern of those at the playground who knew Kamel as you did.
May 6th, 2015 at 1:50
How are you doing, Lasse? We are thinking about you. Hope you are able to reach out and talk to Bodil or some of the playground staff and the kids who visit. They all loved Kamel, too.
PS: Thank you for the puffy, fluffy cloud pictures. They are just beautiful.
May 6th, 2015 at 22:06
It’s been tough. But I’m getting better, I think. I’ve been able to joke around on Facebook today so that’s a step up. Almost time to get back to the real world now. Need to get back and see my goat buddies. But yes, it’s hit hard. It doesn’t get easier.
May 7th, 2015 at 21:45
No, it certainly doesn’t get any easier. We finally found out that the pregnant donkey we liked so much died while trying to have her baby.
Sigh . . . she wasn’t even our donkey, but we loved visiting with her. Sarah was shy at first, but soon came around and enjoyed being scratched and having her ears rubbed. We met her about 7 years ago when we got our mini donkey. She had a gentle disposition and was always the first one up to the fence to see us when we came to visit.
May 10th, 2015 at 23:13
I’m sorry to hear about Sarah. It’s hard when you get so attached and love them so much. It’s a part of life, unfortunately.