BettyRuth Young

Hi everybody, my name is BettyRuth and I am a 15-month old Nigerian Dwarf goat. Recently I haven’t been feeling well for a few days at a time, so Mom and Dad took me to see these amazing Veterinarians (Dr. Erin Elder and Dr. Anna Firshman) at the University of Minnesota Large Animal Hospital. They ran lots and lots of tests and found out that I had something strange going on with my liver, but all of organs my looked pretty good when they did an ultrasound. Mom and Dad took me home and were giving me some vitamin injections, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medicine (like Tylenol) and I started to feel a little bit better. I was starting to cough a little bit though, which worried Mom. I went back to the hospital for my follow up appointment on Friday and they took some more blood and did another ultrasound. They said my liver tests were getting a little better and that I was slightly anemic, and wouldn’t you know, I also had pneumonia! They wanted me to stay in the hospital for a few days and try some different antibiotics and give me an IV, so Mom and Dad left me at the hospital. I was really, really scared and cried when they left. I liked the people that were taking care of me though. They tried to feed me some yucky food called alfalfa and beet root, so when Mom and Dad visited Friday night, they brought my special food from home. I was very hungry and ate a lot of Timothy hay and oats and meadow flowers. I really like those things. I played with Mom and Dad a little and got lots of hugs and kisses. My Mom and Dad are the coolest and they love me more than any goat that has EVER lived. They treat me like a queen. After they left, I really didn’t feel like eating anymore, so the doctors decided to let me go home the next day and have Mom and Dad take care of me again. As I was getting ready to go home on Saturday, I had a BIG problem when I didn’t stop bleeding after they took out my IV. My liver was so bad that it wasn’t producing the stuff to make my blood clot. I got even more scared, but Mom and Dad were there to give me lots more hugs and kisses. I sure do like those. They had a long talk with my wonderful doctors and then got really sad when the doctors told them I probably wouldn’t get better and would probably have to make lots of trips to the hospital to have more shots and get more IVs, which I DON’T like. I know it was hard for them, but Mom and Dad decided I had earned my wings and asked my doctors to help to me put them on. I know I was only here for a short amount of time, but I got more love in my 15 months than all the goats in the whole world combined get in a lifetime. I hope my Mom and Dad know how much I love them too and don’t stay sad too long. I sure am glad they were there to give me my wings. They fit PERFECTLY and I’m all better now. Thank you everybody for all your thoughts and prayers. My last wish is that you shower Mamma and Daddy with the same love that you showed to me. They really do need it right now. We’ll be together again someday Mamma and Daddy. I love you to infinity and beyond.