Saturday, November 12, 2011

Rest in Peace, My Friend

This afternoon I had to put Koo down. He was sicker than we thought and it was the right thing to do.
Koo came to live on our farm 9 years ago when a friend of mine was battling breast cancer and couldn't take care of her animals. I knew next to nothing about llamas when we brought him home and I'm not sure I know much more today. He was a stately boy who hated to be touched but would take an apple slice or carrot ever so gently from your hand. He would let me trick him into being caught to perform a few maintenance chores and would tolerate being led around by small children but his real love was watching over his goats, lying in the sun, and giving visitors the eye to see if they were friend or foe.
He was a fixture in the neighborhood and I know I won't be the only one who will miss seeing him every day.
My head tells me the goats need another llama but my heart tells me that no one can fill his shoes.
A hard act to follow, my friend Koo.

29 comments:

@JDHealingTimeOnEarth said...

So sorry for your loss, Wendy. xxxx

Teresa said...

I am so sorry that you've lost your friend. It's a very hard choice, but it certainly sounds like you did the right thing by your friend. Blessings.

frugalmom said...

Im so so sorry Wendy. What a hard thing to have to do.
I feel so honored to have been able to meet him when we were at your place. What a great boy he was.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hugging you right now.

Jewel said...

So sorry to hear that you lost your good friend and that your goats also lost their guardian. I know they'll miss Koo as well.

Melodie said...

I am very sorry. It is never easy to loose a beloved animal friend.Rest in peace Koo.

petoskystone said...

so sorry for your loss. swift journey, koo!

Terry Golson said...

It's always sad when we lose an animals. Some are missed and we move on, but others leave a gaping black hole that seems impossible to fill. You'll never be able to "replace" Koo, but I have a feeling that another llama will come your way and fit in with the fabric of your farm family.

Kelly said...

It is never easy to see them go. He was stately and beautiful at the same time. He was a very fortunate llama to live on your farm and have a good life. Bye Koo. Much Love to ya.

IsobelleGoLightly said...

Oh dear. I'm so very sorry. You've done the best for your special friend and that's always the hardest for the human. Rest in peace, Koo. Many goat kisses to you, Wendy. xoxoxoxoxoxo

Hidden Haven Homestead said...

Wendy, I am so sorry about Koo. He sure was blessed to have such a loving home and know you were blessed to have him.

Christine said...

Oh no, I'm so sorry. I was sad to see your title. You can never replace them. Only find new and different friends. When you are ready, the right llama will be out there. The rescue organizations never go out of business due to lack of need.

(hug)

icebear said...

i'm so sorry.

Autumn said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It's never easy, even when we know it's the right decision.

Michaele said...

So very sorry for you loss. I am sure the goats are missing him too. Rest in peace.

Karen C said...

What a terrible loss. What a wonderful llama. Please take care.

Marigold said...

I'm so so sorry Wendy. There just aren't words to make it better. I know he's skipping around somewhere, probably with Notty at his heels. As they say, time heals all wounds, it just the getting past it that's so hard. Big, BIG hugs to you and a bag full of Peanuts.

Danni said...

Oh, Wendy...my heart hurts for you. Sweet, wonderful Koo. He was one of the first llamas I ever read about when I started blogging four years ago...and I loved hearing stories about him.
We may have laughed over being chickens sisters, but we have been llama mamas together, too, and I feel your profound loss deeply.
Hugs from your friend in Oregon.

Kathryn said...

Thinking of you during this time of sorrow.

RANGER said...

Not sure how to express it but some of your pain is shared by the rest of us. I was so happy for Koo when he got his salt lick. And sad for you, now. God Bless.

goatgirl said...

A comment from Chela at Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary...
Wishing Koo peace and lots of running and jumping in the heavenly llama pastures! And wishing you your own peace and knowledge that he had a GOOD life with you and his goats.

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to Koo. There will not be another one like him, but there could be one that takes very good care of the goats for you and find his/her own special place on your farm.

Queen Quattra said...

All of us goats here want to say how very sorry we are of your loss of Koo and our humans, Chris & Dave also send their heartfelt thoughts your way.
We know you will miss him very much but we could see that he had a very, wonderful life there..Beyond the Sidewalks!

Lindsey at NW Backyard Veggies said...

I will add my condolences.

I"m so sorry he is gone.

:-(

Phyllis said...

Oh no. As soon as I saw the post title, I knew.

I am so sorry, Wendy!

Bee Haven Bev said...

I am so sorry for your loss...
Bev
Bee Haven Acres

goatfarmer said...

Damn it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Wendy,

So sorry to hear about Koo. It's heart breaking to lose a furbaby.

Love reading your blog. Think of you and other Minter Staff often.

Take Care, Luvs,
Terry Mdx
Gig Harbor

Holly said...

I am so sorry Wendy. How fortunate Koo was to be so beloved, I think often large animals and/or livestock are treated with some indifference and I *know* he was not. I *know* you knew his traits, his likes and his dislikes, just as any loving owner would.

God speed Koo.

Cathy said...

Bye Koo. Emily & I will miss visiting you.

Wendy, I'm sure there should be something more to say, but tears are making it hard to type.
Let me know if you need anything.