On Wednesday Caper came to the end of his very long life. It was time. Nigerian Dwarf Goats can live a vibrant eight years. After that, it’s all a gift. Caper would have been thirteen this May. Ancient. He had a tumor in his mouth, few teeth, and was bow-legged and arthritic. At a certain point, goats can’t metabolize their food efficiently, and he couldn’t keep on weight. But he was still his happy, sweet self. Until this week, when it was clear that getting around was becoming too difficult to be a joy.
Caper had a very good life. He and his twin brother arrived at Little Pond Farm when they were just a couple of months old. Here he is on the day he arrived with the farmer who brought them.
It took me awhile to figure out that Caper was the smart one. Because he was clever enough to (almost) never be caught in the act. He was the goat who could open doors (and then close them so that his brother couldn’t follow him.)
He was always optimistic. Sure that whatever idea he had was the best idea, and that whatever he did would be a great deal of fun for everyone. Even when it entailed sneaking around the corner to eat my entire bed of asparagus! Caper was easy to train – if you embraced chaos and enthusiasm. He particularly enjoyed standing on his stump.
Caper and Pip hadn’t spent a day apart in a dozen years, so I planned for when one of them would leave this earth before the other.
Two and a half years ago we moved to Maine, and I made the difficult decision not to build a goat barn and keep them at home. Instead, they’d go to Kim’s farm, ten minutes up the road, where they would have the company of other goats, horses, ducks and chickens. That way, when one did pass, the other would be surrounded by friends. I thought that this day would happen sooner, maybe even the year that we came to Maine, but instead, the Goat Boys had the pleasure of being at Noisy Farm (and adding to the noise!)
Here is Caper just last week, with foal Ivy, who has decided that a goat is a fine playmate to feed hay to.
I checked in on Pip yesterday. He’s doing okay. Okay enough to eat an entire banana!
He’s ancient, too, but without the arthritis and mouth issues that Caper had. We’re hoping that he’ll have a very good summer, belly-deep in grass. With his companions at Noisy Farm.
Sweet Caper. I hope you are chewing your cud on a bed of alfalfa surrounded by animal friends. You have no idea how much we enjoyed watching you in my library. You have us so much joy and we learned a lot too. Rest easy sweet old man.
It was a joy to share the goats with school children around the country. I still have the pictures that they drew for me!
Very sorry for your loss of an old friend.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve loved reading about your goat boys for so many years. Your stories of them always make me smile. I’ll miss that sweet boy.
Thanks.
So sorry we have all lost sweet Caper. And so glad I had an opportunity to meet both Pip and Caper in all their glorious goathood. I have loved your posts about them over the years. It is a sad time. Take care.
I’m glad you met them, too! They did love visitors.
Thanks for sharing. He certainly lived a long good life full of lots of love
He did. And he improved my life immeasurably.
Good night, sweet Caper! I’m so glad Pip is doing well and has lots of friends. Excellent planning, indeed.
Swift journey Caper!
Sweet Caper, he had a wonderful life and was greatly loved. Really enjoyed watching his life and antics at Little Pond Farm, sweet video with Ivy and the Hay. Noisy Farm was perfect for them to end their time, Pip looks very contented. Rest in Peace sweet man
Oh, Caper. You’ll be missed! My condolences to you, Terry, and everyone who knew and loved him.
Rest easy sweet Caper. We will miss you.❤️
Sweet Caper had a wonderful life and Pip looks contented in his old age. It’s always sad to say goodbye but better for knowing that he had a long and happy life. Thank you for keeping us in the loop.
Sorry to hear that one of your “Dynamic Duo” has died – the boys certainly have entertained and charmed so many of us who watched the circus at LPF. To see the boys in their Halloween costumes or on the tree stumps training Terry (!) more than a few times made my day. Thanks Terry.
Terry, so sad to hear about Caper. He was such a force of nature. Always loved watching both of those little scamps get in to mischief. I still get to look at them on my screen saver which I have never changed. It is a great picture of them in their Halloween Regalia. It makes me smile every day. I am hoping Pip continues to have time with his other pals for awhile.
I never had the chance to meet Pip and Caper, but I came to love them just the same through your stories over the years. They had the best of all possible lives by being with you. Pip is surrounded with friends now, and yes, he does look like a contented old man. God speed, Caper. My condolences to you, Terry. Thank you for letting us know.
Thank you, Vicki. It’s consoling that so many loved that goat.