Sweet Emmett - Forever In Our Hearts
Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary
September 2016

Emmett came into the world as a by-product of the goat milk industry and left the world many years later in the arms of those who love him. Thank you for being there for Emmett and giving him a happy life through your donations, your volunteering, and your compassion. We couldn't have done it without your donations.

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that we lost our dear friend Emmett. He had a lifelong virus but his health quickly deteriorated in the last few weeks. Despite our best efforts, we had to make the difficult decision to let him go.

emmett goat

For years, Emmett and his best goat friend Star "ran" the Visitor Center and would greet all of our volunteers and visitors. He loved company and would relax on benches and picnic tables just to be near people.

He had an incredibly kind and patient demeanor...and everyone fell in love with him. He had a special bond with little Emily who would visit him and tell him stories. Emily and Emmett would just enjoy each other's presence, as old friends do. Emily comforted him when Star passed away and was there again in his final days. She is a special little girl who truly loved our special goat.

emmett goat

Emmett came into the world as a by-product of the goat milk industry and left the world many years later in the arms of those who love him. Thank you for being there for Emmett and giving him a happy life through your donations, your volunteering, and your compassion. We couldn't have done it without you.

Rescued from the auction block with his brother Jasper, adorable little Emmett was an unwanted by-product of the dairy goat industry. Just like veal calves, male goats are of no value to a dairy operation since they don’t produce milk. Emmett and his brother were pulled from their mother, likely to be sold off as cheap “kid meat.” Luckily for these boys and for us, the farmer had a change of heart and offered them to a woman he knew was fond of goats—and that woman then called us.

At just a few days old, the two brothers arrived at the Sanctuary. They had recently been disbudded, a painful standard industry practice where an 800-degree tool is used to cauterize their horns without anesthesia. Luckily, this bad memory quickly faded for Emmett and Jasper once they realized they were now in a place that would love and care for them the way they deserved.

Unfortunately, Emmett and his brother had been diagnosed with Caprine Arthritic Encephalitis (CAE), a lifelong virus in goats that can cause severe and crippling joint pain without aggressive treatment. But, Emmett didn’t let that slow him down.

Emmett would often be seen romping around our old Sanctuary grounds with his best friend Star to greet visitors and volunteers. It wasn’t uncommon to see him sunning himself in the grass in front of the Visitor Center, lounging on a bench or picnic table, or sneaking fruits and vegetables off wheelbarrows for an afternoon snack. He had an incredibly kind and patient demeanor—an old soul—that was infectious to anyone who met him, especially children.

In July of 2016, Emmett developed a serious infection in his back leg from the CAE. The infection had caused painful swelling and an open sore, making it even more difficult for him to move around. He was moved into our Sanctuary Hospital, where we kept a close eye on him every minute of the day, giving him daily treatments, and trying everything we could to clear up the infection.

Leslie, a long-time volunteer and past intern who especially bonded with Emmett, drove hours to be with him once we told her of his condition. She sat with him for hours, comforting him and reading him children’s books. We even found Leslie reading sleeping right next to Emmett later that evening—the two sharing a pillow and blanket.

Return to: Animal Stories