06/09/2026
WE DON’T KNOW
When I got up this past Monday morning, Choccy was not with George, Baaarrrrrbara, Sybil and Domba. This was unusual as they invariably stick together, being herd animals, especially the alpacas. I went to investigate and found him over in the corner of the paddock. He stuck his head up, so I assumed he was ok. Before heading off to work I went to check on him. I found he had moved about 50 m and was now lying under a tree, again on his own. I went to investigate, a bit more thoroughly this time. I found he could not get up. Choccy’s right back and left front leg did not seem to want to work properly. He could not get up. Serious.
We made a few phone calls. Fortunately, Dr Peter was in town and came around later that morning to check him over. The cause of the lameness was not clear. Maybe some limb pain, maybe neurological. Peter gave him an injection of some super strong Nurofen-like drug and gave us some more loaded in syringes for the next 2 days. We obediently administered his medicine, even though we did not know what was wrong with Choccy. We also obtained some vitamins to give him from FarmCo (very helpful staff).
Choccy continued to be lame. Initially he was still eating and drinking reasonably well. And spitting in objection to his injections. I don’t think he appreciated them.
By Thursday Choccy was not improving. I had a long chat with Dr Kirsten. Very kind and helpful. At the end of the conversation, again we did not know what was wrong with Choccy. She suggested perhaps some high dose steroids might help. Julia at this time was in Perth. I was meant to be with her to attend the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast on Friday morning but stayed home to look after Choccy. Anyway, we organized a prescription for the steroids which Julia was able to pick up and bring home the next day.
These were given to Choccy. Again he showed his appreciation with some spitting. Friday evening, he seemed to be stronger, able to try and take some steps with his front legs when I lifted him up. I went to bed optimistic the steroids were helping. We still did not know what the problem was.
Saturday morning, I went down to check on him. He was stretched out. Dead. ☹☹ Why?
We don’t know. ☹☹
Unfortunately, there are many things in life that we do not understand. Things that we just do not know.
Julia gave me a full report on the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. Besides food, Bible readings, and some prayers, there was a talk given by a bloke called Ed. He told how he was the youngest son in a family of 4 kids in a Christian home. Being the youngest he thought he was perfect. All he could think about were his good traits. If someone said something negative about him, Ed would only hear the positives in it. As he entered his teen years, Ed started some behaviours that were not so good. Then he would think he was worthless. For many years his feelings cycled from perfect to worthless. Worthless to perfect. Then Ed’s father was diagnosed with a nasty brain cancer in his mid-50s and died soon after. Before his death, Ed had a very significant conversation with his father. He heard his father ask: “Why me?” Ed’s instant thought was that his father was doubting God. Wondering why this had happened. Ed was wrong.
His father carried on his question. “Why did Jesus die for me?” was his full question. You see Ed’s father believed that he was unworthy. Only Jesus is worthy. (See Revelation chapter 5)
Ed came to realize that he himself was neither perfect (he made mistakes like the rest of us), nor was he worthless. Jesus the worthy One gave his life, that Ed and the rest of us might be forgiven, even though unworthy.
What we don’t know, what we don’t understand, is how very very very much God loves us. Enough to have given His life for us.
Get to know Him. And have life!
Bernard Chapman