[drcjv]

Tim about 15 years ago we had horses, goats and donkeys. I always felt teaching the kids how to care for a living thing was a good thing. My dad who was a horseman his whole life used to tell me you can judge a person by the way they treat animals. I wholeheartedly believe this. We had a Nubian goat named Bella one night she pulled a whole stack of hay bales down on top of herself. She was trapped all night and when we found her in the morning it was an emergency. The vet came out and it was touch and go but he got her stable. She had a severe subluxation in her cervical spine. Our vet said he did not know how to help. We do not live that far from the New Bolton center an extension of the University of Penn Vet hospital and a world recognized equine center. This is where Barbaro was treated. They could not believe I wanted to bring a goat. They told me no one spends any money on goats. My wife felt it was her fault since she forgot to close the barn door. This little girl was a joy to be around she would follow and the kids loved her. I was quite fond of her too as I bottle fed her. The cost was more than I would like to say and many in my family told me I was crazy. The way I reasoned was as long as I was not taking anything away from my kids and household to pay I could afford it. Bella recovered about 85% and we had her for some years after. Tim after meeting you and knowing you from the forum I would have easily bet $10,000 that you would have done what you did. I am sure the kids learned a valuable lesson through this and best wishes with your dog.