I lost a doe to pregnancy toxemia for the first time, a few weeks ago. My beautiful “Arctic Tracks,” a multiple Best of Breed winner, had to be euthanized after it became clear that she was not going to survive. It isn’t unusual for a pregnant English Angora to have a brief period where they eat a bit less, in the 2-3 week period after breeding. I was not concerned the first day. But by the second day, I knew something was amiss. I force fed her sweet potato baby food, which she accepted well. She had not improved on the next day, and so I took her to the vet for sub-Q fluids. She seemed to perk up a bit after that. However, by the next day, her condition had deteriorated badly, and so the day after that, I decided to end her suffering, because it was obvious she was not going to survive.

That is the type of event that reminds us, “Animal breeding is not for the faint of heart.” I have many happy memories from showing Arctic Tracks. At a Mid America Angora Club specialty, judge Ray Hall called her, “A wow doe!” She had a very correct body, and wonderful, dense wool. She had a lively, happy personality. I miss her.