Forget Me Not!

What is the memory capacity of a goat? Not very long, it seems...

This summer Emily is working at a camp about an hour away and comes home only on weekends. Exhausted from long days in the camp kitchen, she sleeps most of her brief time at home; I count myself lucky to at least spend quality time with her dirty laundry (which, I suspect, is the only reason she comes home at all). As for her goats...what goats? I have goats?

Saturday I had errands to run and Emily wanted to sit outside with a book. Perfect, I told her, take the goats down in the field and let them graze while you read. I keep a chair down there for just that reason. They know the routine.

Apparently not. Those rascals acted as though they had no idea who Emily was or where she was taking them.  Who is this strange human and why is she trying to make us eat weeds? Let's fight her! Emerson actually butted her, knocking her down the hill and cutting her leg open. Then they spied my car as I pulled out of the driveway...oh no! Our real mommy is getting away! Run, brother, run! We can still catch her!

Yes, after we got them back in their pen and bandaged Emily's leg, I drove away again, pondering how Emerson and Elliot could forget their original "mommy" in just three weeks. Yet, I shouldn't be surprised. Every day they charge mindlessly past the hallowed "Bottle Swing" where for nearly two years they enjoyed the best moments of each day. I still sometimes sit there to reminisce about those early times, but the goats seem to have no memory of our beloved bottle days.

Makes me curious...these goats who follow me from window to window as I clean the house and wail pitifully for my attention - how long would it take them to forget me? Maybe I am due for a vacation...

A Goat in New York City

The consequences of goat-herding are many. These critters decimate your landscaping, ruin your wardrobe, drain your budget and eat up all your free time. You'd have to be crazy to get a pair of pet goats...or is it the goats who made us crazy?

Recently my family took a goat to New York City for three days. Trains, subways, crowded sidewalks, hotel suite, Times Square, Broadway - he was there. We even took him into the New York Public Library. If you've never ridden in a cramped elevator with five tourists and a goat, you'll want to try it someday.

Our travel companion was a foot-long rubberized rendition of a horned goat who bears absolutely no resemblance to the sweet darlings we left at home in their yard (whining pitifully at their abandonment, no doubt). He is a recent acquisition from my aunt's vast goat collection, which seems to be relocating in increments to our house. The latest box contained adorable stuffed goats in little outfits, trendy T-shirts...and the most revolting creature I've even seen, affectionately dubbed "Mutant Goat."  How he ended up in my luggage is a mystery, but once there, how could we deny him the Big Apple experience?

You might guess that tourists posing for photos with a hideous miniature goat would garner stares or quizzical looks, but no one even seemed to notice. Apparently strange and bizarre behavior is more the norm in the city than in our rural hometown.

We decided Em and Ellie would not have enjoyed the city - except for Central Park. With all the giant climbing rocks and an endless supply of edible greenery, they could live there forever.  Maybe if I gave them a hat to collect coins, they would dance for passers-by. Now, if only I sneak get them on the train...

Hoof-Trimming Fun in the Sun

This weekend we stopped at my sister's house en route to a graduation party...how fortunate for her four goats who haven't had their hooves trimmed since my last visit many months ago. I have a soft spot for goats with neglected feet, so it was time to put everyone to work. Obi (above) is an ex-bottle baby who still loves sitting on anyone's lap, but it took four of us to corner Jedi and get him in the trimming chair. It was a profitable day - four goats, four cloven feet each equals 32 total hooves trimmed and we still made it to the party on time! No better way to spend an afternoon!