Prayers for Watson

This sweet little fellow is Watson - a cashmere billy born in the middle of one of our worst snow storms that hit this farm. Along with his buddy Sherlock we barely brought them back from death with much love and round the clock care. Watson was unable to walk for almost a month and physical therapy consisted of walking around the house, climbing the stairs and finally even jumping from my leather couch to the coffee table. I would do anything to bring him through and on his way to a full life.

Fast fore ward 6 years and loads of great days of being a huge horned bad ass billy who still gives me kisses every morning as I feed him. Watson has been the second in command and is the rock in the herd of billies. On my birthday last Tuesday, which if we all remember was a sucky day of bad luck things the following events unfolded.

As I was filling the water tubs in the big billy pasture the boys where ruff housing as they do all the time. I thought nothing of it but just as I looked up Hansel and Watson where doing their stand on the hind legs and come crashing down hard to bash their horns together. You know we have seen that behavior on TV shows with the wild Mountain Goats doing this - same thing and that is just their play. But all of a sudden while Watson was mid air Seamus (a 5 year old boy) came from the side and plowed into Watson side. Watson crumbled to the ground and had the wind knocked out of him. I dropped the hose and ran to him. I got him up and walked him out of the pasture. I placed him in the small barn and checked him over. Not cuts but his side was very sore and he was wobbly on his legs. I made him a place to rest and checked on him hourly. Yep, with all the panic of the computer thing I set the timer and checked on him. He progressed through the night and seemed to be doing better by morning.

That day I let him walk around the back yard and enjoy the tender grass and sun shine. Each day he seemed to be doing better until the storm hit last night. He was not a happy camper and cold but still was eating and walking and most of all giving kisses. He was happy to have his buddy Sherlock with him in the barn and they snuggled just as they did in my kitchen all those years ago.

This morning it is a different story. My son came out to the farm to bring chicken and dog food and when we arrived at the small barn Watson was not able to stand... So it will be another cold night of barn checks and making Watson as comfortable as possible as he is passing over the Rainbow Bridge. If you would keep him in your thoughts today - he is such a dear one. Also, do not blame Hansel or Seamus - they did not do this out of anger - that is what is called an accident - they all live together sharing and caring for each other so I know it was not done to harm him. Still, it will be very hard to not have him grace this farm and to share my life.