Now Snowball is Missing!

I am so cross with my neighbour. This morning, when I went to feed Snowball, my goat, she had managed to get over the fence into his garden. It is only grass so there is not much damage she can do there. Their windows were shuttered, but the van was there, so I thought they were asleep still, and decided to call round later, All the gates are locked, so I couldn't get in. I gave her some food over the fence and went to do the ponies and cats, and have my own breakfast. About an hour later I saw the window open, so I went round to the gate with a lead rope and some bread to catch her. But he said she had already gone - he opened the gate and she left. I have spent the whole day looking for her, with t he car, on foot and on the phone. She seems to have vanished into thin air. I have left messages with t he mayor's office, the fire station, the police, been to t he local farms and the bar in the village, spoken to walkers and bikers, and walked for over two hours through the forest. Now I can only wait. A large white goat should be easy to spot, but if she has gone deep into the forest it may be some time before she emerges, and there is lots for her to eat there. But we are expecting at least 10 cms of snow tonight, so it may get even more difficult to find her.

Here is her picture - you really would think she could be found. But why the silly man let her out onto the lane I shall never understand.

That really was silly. Couldn't he have at least called or come over to ask whether it was your goat? that you find her soon!

Maybe when it starts snowing, Snowball will come home.  I know goats are quite intelligent.  Too bad your neighbor isn't.

I think he must have thought she would walk round the bend in the road and home. He knows very well she is my goat - her field adjoins his garden. I was so shocked I didn't ask any more queations - I literally turned and ran down the road. But she has never been outside the gate before, so if she turned the wrong way she would never find her way back. What I don't understand is how she has obviously got so far away in less than an hour - normally, if she gets out of the field into t he garden she just makes for the nearest bush or tree and eats it! But I did hear some off-road motor bikes in the lane this morning and I wonder if they frightened her or even chased her down the road.

Hope she finds her way home or someone finds her. I know how frustrating this must be for you.

oh no!...:disa:

come back soon Snowball!!!.......

Any sign of her this morning, Jenny?

No, nothing yet. I am hoping th at with the week starting anyone who may have found her will phone the police or the council. I dare not walk out today - the snow is 6 cms deep and still growing. If I fell in the forest it could be a disaster. Lynda (Milkmaid) thinks she may have joined the 'mythical' band of feral goats living in the forest!

I am so sorry......I hope you find her!

Oh no! I hope she is back soon!

Keeping up the that she turns up soon!

Awww poor Snowball. She looks just like our goats (we have two of them now). They're smart but stubborn and can't be trusted to roam free, that's for sure.

that they find her soon!

Any sight of her yet? :cross:

I have been so hoping someone would call today. But there is nothing. We have over a foot of snow, and it is still falling, so I can't go out into the forest, and I can't drive anywhere. The country lanes are not salted and there is a steep hill and corner to be negotiated before I even reach a tarmac road so I am totally snowed in. I am not sure I could even open my gates right now! I just hope she has found shelter somewhere - she always stays in the stable when it is raining or snowing.

I can't believe your neighbor just let Snowball go like that. I am so sorry, hun. I certainly do hope that Snowball has found shelter for now during all of this snow. I do hope Snowball is found very, very soon. Hugs and vibes, Jenny.

Are there many farms around? Maybe if one of the farmers saw her, they just took her in for a few days to shelter her from the weather?

Anne said:

Are there many farms around? Maybe if one of the farmers saw her, they just took her in for a few days to shelter her from the weather?

Click to expand...

Anne, that is what I am hoping too. I have told all the farmners whose land is anywhere near. But farmers know what to do if there is a lost animal and no one has callled the police or the local council offices yet. My fear is that she has gone into the forest - and it is wild and hilly and impossible to search fully. The hunting season has now ended, so there are not even people going in there with guns and dogs now. The snow is still coming down and I am marooned.

I've just seen this thread... it's SO hard when an animal goes missing.

Sending Snowball lots of to find her way home

I am so sorry to hear about Snowball. I wish I knew more about successful goat finding but cats, dogs and rabbits I have experience with but not hosts. oh and errant cows from spending time on an Israeli kibbutz.

Is it possible the neighbour deliberately let her out or was he just in error? What about other fatmrs seeking a goat? I would keep searching -can you set op a search party once the weather improves? To search in the forest. Hosts I do know can be very agile and even climb mtns as I am certain you know. Could he be away in the forest somewheres? Does he have a fab food you might lure him home with! Goats usually come when called or at least know who they and you are. Is it possible the snow and woods have trapped him somewhere? Any rescue or police agencies with helicopters? Could they be persuaded to do a search while say working kn something else or even doing it for your goat?

Good luck!!! I hope he is home safe soon!!

Sending more  that Snowball will find her way back home.