Merlin
After a few months in our care, Merlin started to get the light back in his eyes. He began to get curious and venture over to one of us while we were petting Mel. Now, he seeks out affection fairly regularly and even did so at the volunteer day with people he had never met before. This is huge for him! We’re so happy he’s feeling comfortable enough to trust he’s safe here.
Sponsor Merlin
maintaining a sanctuary for animals like Merlin depends on the support of animal lovers like you!
2024
MARCH, 2024
Merlin joined us in the spring when he and his friends Mel, Kate, and Beatrice needed a safe place to go. They were starving and were seized by the NB SPCA. When they arrived at the sanctuary, Merlin immediately stood out from his friends - he was a majestic guy who towered above them!
While we didn’t know any of their names, or if they even had names, the name Merlin seemed perfect for the old and wise-looking goat sporting the wispy wizard beard.
Merlin was shut down when he arrived - a coping mechanism when they don’t know what’s expected of them and are scared of the consequences of doing the wrong thing.
Merlin would actively avoid eye contact most of the time, and if he thought you caught him looking at you, he’d flinch slightly, tuck his head, look at the floor, and slowly curl his body away from you before walking off. This behaviour happened even if we were on the other side of the barn.
All four goats were skittish, but Beatrice and Merlin were the most scared when they arrived. They’d startle easily and panicked if we picked up a rack or shovel to clean.
Not long ago, Merlin started to get the light back in his eyes. He began to get curious and venture over to one of us while we were petting Mel. Now, he seeks out affection fairly regularly and even did so at the volunteer day with people he had never met before. This is huge for him! We’re so happy he’s feeling comfortable enough to trust he’s safe here.
We’ll tell you more about Merlin soon, including his recent vet visit, which revealed he’s probably not the old goat we thought he was. Stay tuned!
Merlin
finding sanctuary
AUGUST, 2024
I know many of you have been following Merlin’s journey, but for those who are new, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.
Merlin arrived at Lily's Place in a heartbreaking state. Neglected and nearly starved, he was suffering from untreated arthritis, overgrown and fungus-ridden hooves, lice, and a heavy internal parasite load.
Physically, he was here, but Merlin was shut down, and his mind seemed miles away from his body. We often see this in animals who have lost control over their painful circumstances—they emotionally shut down to protect themselves.
The road to recovery has been bumpy for Merlin, and his immune system was at an all-time low when he developed a high fever that wouldn’t break despite vet calls, medication and antibiotics.
When Merlin’s immune system struggled to rally between treatments, the vet tested him for mycoplasma (he had already been screened for diseases like CAE and Johne’s). The last treatment round was a painful injection that likely saved his life. We hated to see him get a painful injection (his cries could break anyone's heart!), but we were so thankful for Dr H giving him the medication he needed to rally. Thank you, Dr. H!!
That brings us up to last week when we got good news:
✨Merlin tested negative for mycoplasma!
This is a HUGE relief as that took sweet Nancy from us.
While Merlin’s bloodwork showed that neoplasia (abnormal cell growth/tumours) is a possibility, we’re hopeful that isn’t the case for him. Merlin’s organ functions are looking good, and while he still has a lingering cough, evidence suggests it’s likely due to past lung damage.
So, all in all, sweet Merlin is doing well! He’s working through his friends' move to the goat forest, and we will try a “pasture play date” for him, Mel, Bea, and Kate to see how that goes. Milhouse will need to watch from the paddock, but the meet-up should do everyone some good.
