In the two years since I joined the staff of the ARL, we’ve lost a couple of regular characters in the barn: Rod Stewart the rooster and Mr. Swanson the turkey.  I was so sad to see both of them go.  But the most recent loss has me particularly saddened.  Betty, the goat who has been a regular resident since her rescue from terrible conditions last year, passed away on Friday from unknown causes.  The ARL staff and our veterinarian did everything possible, including a blood transfusion from a staff member’s own personal goat.

Betty was not a very social goat when she first arrived, most likely because she had little positive human interaction in her previous living quarters.  But here at the ARL, people are constantly coming into the barn or stopping to see the animals.  Betty grew more trusting as she realized we were there to give her all good things.  Several of us liked to feed our girl Betty some special treats.  When you called her name, she came running over to the fence, just like a dog responding to its name.  She learned that we were her friends and she became our friend too. I always began and ended my days with visits to Betty, with a few breaks during the day too, because she was such a happy soul and she made me feel good.

The barnyard is not the same without Betty and her beh-ing. We’ll miss you, sweet girl.