Leo Ignatius Bittendorf

My heart is breaking.  Leo was the best snuggler I’ve ever met in my life.

He loved everyone, and they seemed to return his kindness.

Leo

I will miss him.

Geriatric Farm

Leo is really showing his age. He is nineteen.  I think he’s having seizures.  I talked to the vets, and they said it is not uncommon at his age and having had diabetes.  Sadly, there’s not a lot they can do, so I just am trying to keep him as safe and comfortable and happy as long as I can.

Leo

I’m not sure how much longer I can do that.  My poor boy.

I also have lots of old goats.  When I expanded my herd, it was not a well thought out plan what would happen when I retired all those goats.

Stormy

I have some that I am not sure will make it through the winter, even though we’re almost past winter.

Penny

After losing Clover this weekend, there are eighteen who I expect to lose in the next three years just because of how old they are.

Clover

I keep babying some of them with the insulated building, heat lamps, and extra feed.

Cookie (front) and Maggie (back)

Hopefully, when real spring and summer gets here, they’ll rally and enjoy themselves again.  But I can promise there will be a lot of good-byes in the next few years.  Just remember all the good times and don’t be sad for me.

When It’s Cold

While I’m frantically trying to find ways to keep everyone safe and warm out in the barn, the ones in the house are pretty content.

Leo

Leo also likes napping on the register vent.

(right before he got his stitches out)

I got a new pillow to put at the end of my bed for the dog since I moved the one I had out to the back porch for him.  Rocky was the first to try it out.

Rocky

Sky does fit on it!

Sky

He just has a hard time getting it to himself.

Sky and Bob

Sky and Leo

But they all look happy. Although, it really looked crowded when Sky, Bob and Leo were all three on it. Maybe I need to find a bigger one.