I am sorry for your troubles. While I am not a goat expert, many animals are susceptible to reproductive diseases that may cause spontaneous abortion or premature births. There are vaccinations available for breeding stock--you should check with your vet. Another cause for miscarriage is moldy feed. Moldy feed, hay or straw should not be available to breeding stock to eat. Old feed should be cleaned out. There may be other nutritional causes, again, best checked by a vet. As far as your mothers dying, they could have died from a uterine infection caused from the aborted fetuses. After delivery, I would check all of my mothers for infection for several days after the birth by taking their temperature rectally. Any animal having an elevated temp would immediately go on antibiotics. Here's a tip on taking temps: Get a thermometer with an end that you can attach a string and a clip (if it isn't some sort of instant read thermometer). Then you can insert the thermometer and then clip the end to the tail or hair, thus not losing the thermometer in the bedding, etc. You can find out more specific information by having a post-mortem check done by your vet or local university. Good luck.

i am so very sorry for your loss. i know exactly what you are going through. i see where you posted on thunder's thread about her losing her husband. i'm glad you saw that thread. i also posted there so i won't repeat what i said. the only difference now is that i did go back to my doctor and we are trying a different anti-depressant. it is helping, taking the edge off. i wish i had done this sooner. it's something you might give some thought to. i know, believe me, that at this point you don't think a little pill can help but it might be worth a try. except for the fact that i did not have to deal with young children at the time of gary's death, everything else you express are feelings i went through and to some extent, still do after just over 2 years. all i can tell you is that, believe it or not, time is what you need. your loss is so fresh, you are very likely still in a state of shock. next will come denial, some anger. they tell me that eventually i will get to the point of acceptance but i don't see that happening. i will never accept the fact that the love of my life is gone forever but i am learning to live with it. perhaps dreams of your husband will come to you some day. don't rush it, your mind just isn't ready yet. when it is, it will happen. when the shock wears off, you will find strength you never knew you had. just remember this...death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. God bless.

lldaunt, its ok to cry. We all need it. We've all done it and just when we think its some better, something else pops up and we start to tear up again. Its ok. I am a "list-maker" After G died, and I was rested somewhat, I knew I had to keep busy. I made a list of projects that needed to be done, and things I had to put aside while he was so ill. Some were kind of silly, but these things kept me going and on the right track. Like paying bills, chores, crafts, etc. Some of the things on my "list" haven't been completed yet, and maybe some will never be done. But for me, the important thing was to keep my mind and hands busy. I know that sounds terribly old-fashioned, but it got me over the initial shock and helped me to realize that I was capable to "going on". I journal every day. and my lists go there too. Why not start one about your life with your loved one? Make it as intimate as you want. If its for your eyes only, whatever you want to write. If its for your children/grandchildren to learn more about Frank, thats another slant to consider. I think that would be a very nice legacy to give to your family. Most importantly, take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat properly,& if on medications, make sure you are taking it correctly. Give your self time. You can't "heal" overnight. God Bless & Keep you Jan

Libby: I make sure that I kill the 24-volt power to the stat before messing with it. I know that if I spark the wires I can blow the fuse in the control circuit. When I replaced the dead Honeywell with the new 7500 Honeywell, I did not fully program the 7500 first because it was 83 degrees in the house and I wanted quick cooling. As a result, the stat showed "cooling" but the heat pump was putting out heat as the default mode is heating. Don: The 7500 has the same filter indicator and I have it set to 1 month. I thought that it would show the Usage with this but it doesn't. I e-mailed Honeywell and they do not make any t-stat that tracks run time (revenge of the wives). Als in NH: I downloaded the Climatouch manual - thank you. I'm not sure that it has "Smart Recovery" mode like the Honeywell which cycles the electric aux heat on/off to meet the recovery set point when heating with the heat pump. It does have some great options if you have 2 stage cooling. Thanx to all.