Inferno

aka Fern/Fernie

Inferno

This little girl is a shy sweetheart. She came to us as a 5-month-old goat girl, but around 8 months, we realised that she was already pregnant. This is way too young a time for a goat to be pregnant, and she herself was quite a small girl. Stress built as we came closer to the time that she had to give birth. She was obviously inexperienced, too young, and too small, and we also had no idea whether she would even accept her baby.

Her udder was barely filling out, and whether she had enough milk or could even produce enough milk was a serious concern. We provided her with vitamin and mineral boosters and added lucerne to her diet to ensure her optimal health, thereby giving both her and her baby the best possible chance of survival.

Fernie surprised us all!

Not only did she have a normal birth, but she was also an excellent Mom. She immediately started cleaning her baby, let her nurse, and gave her daughter, which we called Respect in honour of Fernie, everything she could. We kept on providing as many nutrients and food as responsibly possible for Fernie and her youngster, and little Respect, although small, flourished.

Fernie is the epitome of good mothering, and her daughter has her sweet temperament. I really have a soft spot for Fern, and she will always have a safe life here at the Sanctuary. She was a child having to raise a child, and she did it with so much grace…"