Circle Of Life

Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue of Tampa Bay would like to pay tribute to the animals that have completed the circle of life. Through our day to day interactions and observations with these animals, they have taught us much. Although they are no longer with us physically, their spirit lives on. We admire the many good qualities that each possessed and are honored to share their stories.

The Rainbow Bridge (Part 1)

The Rainbow Bridge (Part 2)

Jim Bob Square Pants


Arrival

Jim Bob Square Pants was a 3 year old Boer goat. We took ownership of Jim Bob and his herd mate, Brandy, on January 29, 2010. He came to us with an upper respiratory infection and severely overgrown hooves. The hoof problem was a chronic condition due to laminitis when he was younger. He required frequent hoof trims, every two weeks, due to rapid hoof growth. He was unable to straighten his right leg when he arrived. Jim Bob's rehabilitation included daily leg therapy and a modified diet.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Ricci and Leah Dixon of New Tampa Animal Hospital in Lutz, Florida for donating their services and expertise to help improve  Jim Bob’s quality of life. .

Jim was making amazing progress. His leg was bent at a 45 degree angle upon arrival but had improved to a 10 degree angle. He was able to run and interact with the other goats. He was co-leader with our other wether, Sampson. This was an amazing feat for an animal that could barely walk.

Sadly, Jim Bob completed the circle of life on April 25, 2010. Although outwardly he appeared to be improving a life of improper care proved too much for his body to endure. Jim was a gentle spirit who touch the heart’s of all that met him. I feel privileged to have shared part of our lives together, no matter how brief. Jim Bob, I will met you at the Rainbow Bridge, along with our other rescued animals, Lucas, Elden, Amelia and Rudy, who have also completed the circle of life. 

 
Rudy

Rudy, a Japanese Bantam rooster and his flock of hens were found searching for food at a farm near the Withlachoochee State Forest. They were there for several days when we were asked to rescue them because of concern they would be preyed upon by the forest wildlife.

After quarantine period, Rudy and his hen, Chabo, were introduced to the hens at HSHAR. Rudy wasted no time establishing himself as the leader of the flock. He was a cocky little rooster; definitely “the cock of the walk”.

Rudy started his day before dawn surveying his territory and calling to the hens, letting them know it was safe to come out. They slept in a shelter at night but had access to the outside. He crowed very loudly, letting any potential intruders know this was his territory and flock. After Rudy’s morning announcement, the chickens scratched (dig in the dirt) looking for insects to eat. When I went out to do the morning feeding, Rudy would begin crowing as soon as he saw me, telling me this was his territory.  He continued to do so whenever another animal or person approached. There is no doubt he was very protective of his territory and his hens. When I fed in the morning I usually had treats to hand feed the chickens. It gave me a chance to get a visual on them and make sure that all is well with them. The hens came right up and took food from my hand. Rudy on the other hand, would not come any closer than about two feet. He tried everything to get the hens away from me. He would vocalize to them and if that didn’t work he gathered up all the food that I had thrown to him and put it in a pile, all the while trying to coax the hens away from me and over to him. He allowed the hens to eat first, while watching to make sure danger wasn’t lurking nearby.

He thought nothing of chasing animals much bigger than himself out of his territory. He always chased a squirrel, crow or some other bird out of the chicken yard. On several occasions this 4 pound rooster ran up to me and spurred me because I was too close to one of the hens or a nest. Protecting the hens in his flock was a very important job and this fearless little rooster took his job seriously. Chickens have quite a social structure and they know their place in the “pecking order”.

Rudy spent much of the day scratching for insects, taking dirt baths (to rid himself of parasites), crowing to continually establish his territory and of course, protecting his flock. Rudy’s day ended at dusk when he and his flock hunkered down in crates in the chicken shelter.

Rudy completed the circle of life in August of 2009. He was great protector of his flock and an inspiration to us all. Rudy's absence has proved difficult for Chabo, who we believe spent most, if not all of her life with him.

Amelia

Amelia and her flock were surrendered to a local animal shelter prior HSHAR taking two of the hens. We provide an environment in which they thrive; our chickens are free range (outside and inside access) and allowed to roam.  When we took the two hens they were very timid and it took two days before they would venture outside their crate. Although chickens are not great fliers, for their safety we decided to trim their wings. This kept them confined to the chicken yard. Less than four days later one of the hens was flying; we felt it only appropriate to name her Amelia Earhart.

Within a month Amelia and Layla (Amelia’s flock mate) were very comfortable in their new home. By us feeding them treats by hand, they learned to trust and interact with us. This presented us the opportunity to look them over and make sure all as well with them. I was hand feeding treats (bread) one day and only half paying attention to Amelia, when she jumped up grabbed the bread out of my hand and started running with the bread hanging out of her beak. I started to chase her but stopped then laughed to myself; she outsmarted me and deserves to keep the bread!

It wasn’t long before the girls started helping us clean the goat yard. They looked forward going in with the goats in the morning. As we raked up the hay and placed in piles, the chickens ran over to the piles and scratched (dug) through them, spreading the hay all over the place. Scratching is natural chicken behavior and is great fun for them. In early afternoon when it was time for them to go back to the chicken yard, we just called them by name and they came running, their little legs were going a mile a minute. I’m not sure who had more fun, them or us.

Amelia wasn’t a very large chicken but she laid extremely large eggs. The older a chicken gets the larger the egg, so for this reason we feel Amelia may have been older than we had originally thought.

We rescued a rooster, Rudy, and his hen, Chabo, from a farm near the Withlachoochee State Forest. They were introduced to Amelia and Layla. All went well and Rudy wasted no time establishing himself as the flock leader protecting the hens from danger. Amelia completed the circle of life in January 2009. Amelia taught us much about chickens, their society and “pecking order”. Amelia made us laugh at her funny antics. We will continue to share her story and the lessons that she taught us.

Lucas

Lucas, a Nubian goat, and his brother Elden were surrendered to the Farm Animal area of SPCA Tampa Bay.  Once at the SPCA, Lucas and Elden were put in with the herd of goats.  Both were estimated to be about 10 years old.  The two goats were pets so herd life proved difficult for them. After some discussion, the decision was made for Valerie to take them. Although Valerie did not know it then, Lucas and Elden were the start of what would become Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue of Tampa Bay (HSHAR).

Lucas and Elden settled right in to their new surroundings. Life was good for them because Valerie provided an environment similar to their previous home. The neighborhood children came over to visit and feed them and the goats loved it.  These encounters benefited the goats and children. The goats received interaction with the children and the children learned about goats. Parents also were educated on the unique goat qualities and how they make wonderful pets in the right setting.

Four other goats came to live with Lucas: Sampson was 6 months old when he arrived, Darby was 3 months old, Chloe was 3 weeks old and Effie was 7 weeks old. Lucas and Elden were the alpha animals and the youngsters were well tolerated. Shortly after Chloe arrived Elden completed the circle of life. Lucas remained the alpha goat. Effie was introduced into the herd and settled in without a problem. Luke seemed to enjoy the youngsters except for an occasional altercation with Sampson who was now a year and a half old.

Lucas completed the circle of life in April 2007. He was 12 years old. Lucas was a good teacher to both children and parents as well as a good leader to his herd.   

Elden

Elden, a Nubian goat, and his brother Lucas were surrendered ownership to the Farm Animal area of SPCA Tampa Bay.  Once at the SPCA, Elden and Lucas were put in with the herd of goats.  Both were estimated to be about 11 years old and Elden arrived with laminitis, a serious hoof problem. In herd life, if an animal can’t walk, it doesn’t survive. The SPCA did a great job treating him, however, the boys were pets and so herd life proved difficult for them. After some discussion, the decision was made for Valerie to take them. Although Valerie did not know it then, Elden and Lucas were the start of what would become Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue of Tampa Bay (HSHAR).

Elden and Lucas adjusted quickly to their new home and had lots of one on one interaction. Large boulders were placed int their yard for them to climb, but they showed no interest. The neighborhood children came over and visit with them which provided  a great opportunity to educate people about goats and their wonderful qualities. There are many misconceptions about goats such as they smell, they eat tin cans and eat clothes. The truth of the matter is, although the bucks (unnuetered males) do have a strong odor especially during breeding season, the wethers (neutered males) and does (females) have little to no odor. As far as them eating tin cans and clothes, goats are actually  very picky eaters; eating only fresh food and in many cases not eating anything that falls on the ground. They are very similar to dogs in their interactions with people as far as being very friendly and coming when called, providing they are socialized with humans. They make great pets in the right setting.

Over time three other goats came to live with Elden: Sampson, an African Pygmy mix, Darby, an Alpine and Chloe an African Pygmy. Elden and Lucas were the alphas in the herd and tolerated the young new members.  So life remained good for them. Chloe was the last to be introduced to the herd, Elden really took to her. He protected her from the other youngsters. With the younger goats jockeying for their position within the herd, this left the smaller and younger goat, Chloe at risk of being injured. Elden made sure that didn't happen. 

Elden completed the circle of life in September 2006. He lives on through the stories that we tell and the lessons that we have learned and share with others.