died last evening.  Tom found her looking like she was sleeping with her eyes open and still warm.  So hopefully she went peacefully.

She was named Raven Crest Saphire Duchess by new original owner  in Joyce where she was born on February 6, 2004.  We bought her in April and brought her home.  We initially tried to call her Sofie but gradually she became Saphie.  She did not have the greatest markings or physique for a Nigerian Dwarf goat, but she had beautiful blue eyes.

Goats in Garden, March 2005

Goats eating next to turkey, March 2006

In June 2006 she was bred with our Cody but didn’t become pregnant. Then in April 2007 she escaped in with Cody and did.

Saphie, July 2007

She had Sally and Sammy while we were clearing land in burnt with our goats and camping in our van in Burien on Labor Day weekend.  The kids were a big hit with the neighborhood we were working in.

Saphie’s kids, September 2007

Saphie’s face, February 2009

Saphie deciding about going outside, February 2009

In November 2008 she was bred with our Cody, and in April 2009 she had quadruplets.

Saphie with Sherlock, Shortcake, Sugar Magnolia, and Sophia, April 2009

Unfortunately Saphie did not have enough milk for 4 kids, and Shortcake, the smallest one, wasn’t getting enough.  So we moved her into the house and bottle fed her.  The remaining three were able to stay with Saphie.

Saphie’s kids, May 2009

In November 2009 Saphie was bred with Cody again.

Saphie, March 2010

In April 2010 she had triplets, Topaz, Opal and Jade.

Saphie’s kids, May 2010

Topaz on Saphie, May 2010

Saphie with Jade, June 2010

In October 2011 Saphie was bred with our Bumble, and in March 2012 she had triplets, Cisco Kid, Suzuki and Sarsaparilla.

Saphie’s kids, March 2012

Saphie and Suzuki, April 2012

Then we stopped breeding, and she had a well deserved retirement.

Saphie approval of hay, July 2014

Saphie eating Tom’s granola bar, February 2017

Saphie and Magpie, April 2018

Saphie and chickens, October 2020

She has been certainly aging and walking slowly.  In the last week there was a noticeable decline with her having troubles standing up, but she would still get up and eat.  Pain medications I gave didn’t seem to help, but she still seemed to enjoy her hay, grain and bread.  Two days ago she ate well, but for Tom yesterday she didn’t eat her grain but did have bread.  And then in the evening she was gone.

We still have Shortcake who now has lost her mother and her only goat friend.  I put Brown Sugar in with her as all the other sheep and goats seemed to harass her.  I hope this works out as I feel sorry for her.

So Rest In Peace, Saphie.  I hope she knew he was loved.