Part of raising goats means making decisions that protect them long-term, even when those moments are not easy.

Four of our babies, Halo, Clementine, Mace, and Stacey, were taken to Rancho de Lago where Farmer Mara carefully disbudded them. Disbudding is a common practice that prevents horns from growing. While horns are natural, they can sometimes lead to injuries between goats or accidental harm to people, especially in close farm settings. The goal is safety for everyone as they grow.

The babies did exactly what babies do. They cried.

Halo let the whole world know how he felt about it, while Mace and Stacey broke our hearts with their soft, lingering cries. Clementine, in her own quiet strength, surprised us all by barely making a sound.

The first day was the hardest. By the second, something shifted. Little legs were bouncing again. Curiosity returned. Life resumed.

Now, the only evidence of what they went through are two small, perfect silver circles on their heads, where silver sulfadiazine was applied to help them heal.

Everything else about them feels the same.

Sometimes care looks like making hard choices, and then watching resilience do what it does best.