Lisa, I'm sorry about your goat. Even when it's the right thing to do, it's tough to have to make the final decision. And, I understand, Jim, about your friend; when my first chickens were killed by a mink, I was devastated.
I, foolishly, also thought I would never have more chickens. Clearly, I did not know myself very well.
My pets are never butchered; some are buried, some get cremated. A pet sitter freaked out the first time he came face to face with a row of urns -- each adorned with a photo of a beloved, deceased pet -- perched on an armoire. He thought it was creepy; I thought it was comforting.
Congrats on making buns, Jim. Although I still haven't baked any bread, I have looked at the recipe several times. Does that count as "starting"?
I can no longer brag about not having to shovel snow this winter. Yesterday brought between 1 and 2 inches of fluffy, easy-to-shovel snow. I could have driven over it, but shoveled out the driveway because I knew today is predicted to bring 3 to 5 inches more. There's only been a slight, overnight dusting. So far.