07/20/2026
Today is easily the saddest day we've had on the farm and one we weren't ready for. Our sweet 13 year old, Gem (CH The Onyx's Gemstone EX90) died last night. Gem was one of the 3 original bred does we got from Carmen and Jeff Region all those years ago. In Gem style she didn't make a big ordeal about dying, we could tell she wasn't feeling wonderful last night but after checking her temp and giving her a once over, there wasn't anything glaring at us, she just looked tired. This morning we found her.
Gem was such a character and the doe that gave us most of our firsts. She gave us our first set of kids, and many daughters, granddaughters and even great granddaughters that are doing great things not only for our herd but others as well! Gem was our first doe to do well at nationals, getting 2nd place 1st place udder as an aged doe at our first National Show. Up until this year that was our best placing with a senior doe at a national show. Her daughter Opal one upped her going 1st place 1st udder and best udder. Gem was our first doe we finished a permanent championship on, shoot she was our first doe to give us a ribbon (reserve champion). Gem was the first doe Alice accompanied in the show ring as a baby. Gem taught us how to feed goats that like to put everything into milk and oh boy was she a heavy producer! Gem was the kind of doe that taught you patience because everything was under her terms including trimming hooves. We had to hold on tight when trying to trim her hooves and if you weren't paying attention she'd bite your behind if she was mad enough. She mellowed out in her later years. She went from being the goat the rest of the goats walked a wide berth around to being the goat that wanted to be with the kids from that year. She was so gentle with them. Gem LOVED to go to shows, not because she liked the show ring, but she loved the snacks. As soon as she heard a bag rustle she would perk up hoping it was us bringing her Doritos to snack on. She was so expressive with her face, you always knew what she was thinking and she'd stick her tongue out at you almost as if in spite.
The last few weeks I've noticed Gem was starting to look old. She looked her age. I made sure to take some extra time with her which I'm happy for. Each night she'd go on her old lady strolls to graze on the grass around the barn or to steal a little extra feed from the bin. These last few weeks have been Gem's world and when she'd get her fill she'd come over by me either begging for milk or laying down next to the milk machine in the shade.
We'll always be grateful to Carmen and Jeff for allowing us to bring in the original three. They were all special goats but Gem was one of those once in a lifetime goats that we're glad to have had in our barn and are thankful to have her daughters, granddaughters and great granddaughters in our barn.
Rest easy Gem, we love you
