"God needs another baby goat"

Despite all the nursing, #18 died yesterday morning while we were at the farm. It was quite cold so we decided not to take them out when we checked on everyone else. Jonah, who was so attached, has done better than we thought. This may be possibly due to the fact that we were constantly warning him that despite our best efforts little weak goats sometimes don't survive. We had another baby goat funeral (and are thinking that we may need to expand our, um, animal cemetary site.) Business goes on as usual otherwise. All the other baby goats including #17 are doing well... growing and playing little goat games. #17 is becoming a bit too comfortable being a "house goat." She just walks right into the house like she lives here... she pees outside if we take her out in time. It's just the hay from the crate that gets spread everywhere, the poop that she plops and the goat smell that makes her time limited in the house. Actually, we've been leaving her out there with the herd for a few hours at a time and she seems to blend in well with the other babies. The other momma's pay her no attention. We've got her feedings spread out pretty well... we're just waiting until its not so cold at night in case she's not 'allowed' in the shed to stay warm. We're not sure that would happen but we know that you do fall to the lowest spot on the rank ladder if you don't have a momma (that recognizes you.) Oh, and a little update about the 1st graduate of the Hamman baby goat hospital. As you may remember the first set of triplets, we took #1 home for the night. #1 has done great. She's big and strong. You'd never know she had any trouble. Will post a photo soon...