Sunday, February 7, 2010

Goat Adventures

Here is the newest addition to the farm critters.  We had a family adventure to go pick him up outside Athena, Oregon, about an hour away from the house.  It was supposed to be a relatively quick trip, but after the keys being locked inside the pickup and waiting for a locksmith to rescue us, it ended up being a rather late night.  Gotta love these kinds of adventures!
This pretty goat was given to me as he was too small for the market shipment last fall and now needed to be removed from the doe pen before they begin having their new crop of babies.  I agreed to bring him home as my pet goat has been very lonely since his brother died serveral months ago.  I figured if this guy wasn't friendly and did not have the makings of a pet, he could always continue on toward his original fate as a meat goat. 
We brought him home last night, so figured on keeping him in the barn with the other goat for several days until he got his bearings and was comforatable in his new home.  He had been around people, but never really had much handling, so I expected to put in some time with him before he started liking people.  First thing this morning, Ethan and Eida ran over to the barn lot to see the new addition and he took right to them, even chasing Eida around the pen as if she were a playmate, bucking and kicking.  He loved her even more after several handfuls of grain.  After the kids left, every time I went outside, this new guy had his head through the gate rails, calling to me, begging me to come over.  He is not quite sure he wants to be scratched and petted, just wanted me close by, then was content.




Because he seemed to have bonded well both to myself and the other goat, I tried taking him out of the barn lot.  He stayed close to me, so we headed off on my regular evening walk.  He stuck right beside me the entire way, as if he had been taking walks with us forever.  The little brown goat, Snickers, is definately the boss, butting and biting if the new goat tried to get between myself and Snickers or jumped on a log to be king of the mountain, a major breach of goat conduct! 
So, it looks like this youngster may have the personality needed to save him from becoming barbeque.  He may even fit in well with some of the public events our animals attend in the community such as petting zoos and Living Nativity.  Lucky little guy!
Any good name ideas?  I was thinking of sticking with the sweet theme as the brown goat is Snickers and this guy is kind of a backward Oreo coloring.  He is a French Alpine breed, so maybe something French??  All suggestions will be appreciated!!
Until next time, may your attitude surround you with sweetness and keep you out of the stew pot!  

8 comments:

Jeni said...

Sure does look like a cute little fellow. Friends of ours who have a farm with goats just had a new addition to their goat family there -two little girls born in mid-January and she's been posting pics of them on her Facebook ever since. Really cute and I'm half wishing there were a way we could have a goat or two here. But to do that, we'd have to build a small barn and that's not gonna happen!

Unknown said...

I always thought Yogurt would be a good name for a goat. I even started a story about a goat named Yogurt at one time.
He looks like a fun edition to the family.
I'll have to come go for a walk with you guys.

Doowmée said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Doowmée said...

The name of my goat is Ebénia, and her sister's name is Opaline.
Ebenia have play in a scène of théâtre of the cousin of my friend she just be present, figuration, it's was funny, she looked appreciated the applauses.

I'd like became members of your blog for people on my side of atlantique can see it, but i can't find how.
I tried to post commentary in english, because i saw the translation it was awfull.
Have a good life every day

J'ai une chèvre noire nommée Ebénia, et sa soeur se nomme Opaline.
Ebenia a même jouée dans la pièce de théâtre du cousin de mon ami, elle ne faisait que de la figuration, c'était drôle elle semblait apprécier les applaudisements.

j'aurais voulu devenir membre de votre blog afin de le faire connaître, mais impossible
Ayez une bonne journée

Doowmée said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Doowmée said...

A french name for your boy :lol:
I thought : "C o p a i n" or
"G a r ç o n"
Good luck boy, became a good guy if not : barbecue, you don't like it anyway

May be too late. He must have a name now !!!

Mary said...

Susan, Beautiful photos of the goats. I would love to visit you sometime. I always enjoy visiting you online. I'm sure we could have much fun if I were to visit in person.

Just letting you know, my Christmas book swap post is up if you are interested.

Blessings,
Mary

Susan said...

Mary, I would love to have you come visit someday!!
We could all take a goatwalk. :)
Doowmee, your goats sound delightful. I am sorry to say that our pretty black and white friend accidently got into the grain and died last fall. goats are sometimes too smart for their own good. :( We had been calling him Beardsley as I actually call Snickers Goatee, so it just seemed to fit.