Merry memories

Shaymus

​What normally was a time of glee for me became a bittersweet memory. Unbeknownst to me, little goat, Shaymus, was ill and his sickness would claim his life.  

​What I thought was him looking down his nose at us, was a sign that he was suffering.

There was hope during his first trip to the vet. Unfortunately, there was not much improvement in his condition after treatment.

​We made the hard decision to let him have a final rest.

Looking back on his priceless photos, I decided to focus on what a character he was. 

Shaymus

​He was starting to come out of his shell and didn’t even mind donning a Santa hat or reindeer ears.
​
​He was surely a sweetheart.

Shaymus

Earl and Shaymus

​The other goats were a different story.

Earl ran around for a while trying to shake off the offensive head gear before settling down.

I placed reindeer ears on him unsuccessfully.

​It took some chasing to remove them. 

​I was able to trick Milo and get a hat on him. I utilized some corn.

The Santa cap only made it around his neck and not on his head. His trust in me was lost.

I was pretty sure I was going to have to break the string to get the hat off.

​More corn was needed, but I was able to remove the horrendous holiday helmet without strangulation. 

Earl and Milo

​Meanwhile, as usual, Clem was a pro at posing during the Christmas chaos. 

Clem

Jeb and Clem

​The exception to his professionalism was Jeb, who insisted on trying to remove the costuming to chew on it. ​

​Separate photo shoots were in order. Gus continued with his shameful looks of pity in an effort to avoid the process.

​He endured the Santa hat and some reindeer horns.  

​Jeb’s photo shoot was an experience in split second shutter speeds.

He wasn’t standing still for any of it.

​I had to act fast to get the photo and save the props from destruction. 

Gus

Jeb

​Originally, I had sought out senior feline Wiggles for the first photo shoot. Being the oldest one of our critters, she knew what was in store and went into hiding. ​

Wiggles

That didn’t exempt her though. It just postponed her humiliation for a few days. 

Ernie

Ernie

Ernie

​Ernie was the best cat candidate. He was purring under protest. Here we called it “nervous purring.” A quick search of the internet revealed that cats can purr when stressed as a self-soothing mechanism. It is kind of like humans using relaxation techniques to manage anxiety. Ernie purred through his whole ordeal. He might have needed therapy. 

Timus

​Ernie’s brother Timus expressed his disgust with the costuming catastrophe. He tried to hide in a box. His safe space wasn’t exempt.

Buttons

​Buttons also tried the box block.

​She was very upset when it didn’t work for her.  

​Lil’ Bit was also used to the holiday humiliation.

He took the photos in stride and hid his pride.

I managed to photograph all the cats except for Beans.

Her eternal attitude was agitated.

​For the sake of life and limb, she was exempt from the photo spectacles. 

​While my holiday spirit was dampened a bit with the loss of little Shaymus.

​I felt that he was finally at peace after being released from his struggles.

Lil' Bit

This season, everyone could use some peace on Earth and goodwill towards Clem. However, during Jeb’s waking hours there is no goodwill towards Clem.

​That’s just the nature of things ‘round here.  

Clem