Mavis
In Spring 2021, we said farewell to our wise and spirited old girl, Mavis. She came into our lives a little over 15 years ago after she was found as a week old baby wandering the snowy streets of Brooklyn. She was likely an escapee from a nearby slaughterhouse. Our friend, Donna, called us from the shelter soon after she arrived and well, how could we say no? From there, our friend, Mary Ann bottle fed and babysat her for several weeks until we were able to get set up for her arrival at the sanctuary.
She was our third sanctuary rescue and spent her early life being raised by two very large 2000 pound steers (Max & Wally) and that’s perhaps where she learned to hold her own. : ) She was spoiled from the get-go, and somehow convinced Rich to give her frequent “goaty-back rides” around her straw filled barn her first few weeks.
Mavis was feisty, opinionated, and confident, not to mention resilient. She would greet you with lip smacking irreverence while pawing at the ground and was always quick to remind you that she was in charge despite being only a few feet tall. She loved running fearlessly back and forth underneath Max’s belly and was quite the escape artist during her “grass is always greener” years.
Many fence modifications were conducted on her behalf over the years. The winter before she died was a tough one for our girl, but she powered through it with her usual determination and over time became accustomed to all the fussing over fitting her with various combinations of fashionable insulated goat coats, blankets and stall heaters to keep her toasty. I think she found the coats undignified at first, but eventually figured out that they made her feel better, making our routine easier as the winter continued.
Sadly her arthritis progressed rapidly over the last several weeks in her hind legs and eventually it became impossible to keep her comfortable and mobile. Mavis was everyone’s favorite here on the farm, and well loved by every sanctuary visitor over the years.
Special thanks to everyone who loved and cared for her during her lifetime (Donna, Mary Ann, Rich, Mareike, Kelly, Robyn, Ashley & Kate, among many more. . .) and most recently to Carey who loved her and helped me get her through her most challenging days of her last winter. Rest in peace, beautiful Mavis. We hope you have found your best buds Max and Wally in a sunny field of kale and oats and greeted them with your signature head butt! (Photo gallery to follow soon!)