The Goat Whisperer

 Springtime is always busy on the homestead, but this year has seemed particularly so.  I posted a couple of weeks ago that YHWH had spoken to me through morning chores, telling me to "prepare practically."  That was when I began to look around and assess what was productive, what was practical, what was sentimental, and what was bondage.  I'd already downsized the herd last year.  You can judge as to whether this is healthy or not, but when something reminds me of bad times, or plans end badly, I prefer to get rid of the reminders.  So, every goat that was obtained in 2012, went to new homes.  Last summer, Sadie and I bought two goats while she was here, one was a milker and the other had obvious potential, but was already drying up.  Sadly, then in the autumn, I lost my beloved Stella.

The first of March, I started thinking about building the herd back up, but I wasn't on track with the plans YHWH was going to reveal, so I waited.  That was a wise decision, in that my main focus was to "replace" Stella.  We know people are not replaceable, but until this past month, I hadn't given great consideration to the fact that livestock are just not replaceable, either.  I'm not placing livestock on the same level as loved ones!  Throughout life when we lose a pet, and then get another one, we haven't actually replaced the one we lost.  It's one of those things we know, but we don't think about until we find ourselves realizing it's time to move on.  Perhaps I shouldn't be putting this in writing, but through my years of homesteading, I've been so attached to the herd as to distinguish each goat's bleat.  Some of them actually communicate with me, and they learn their names very quickly.

I've never bought a goat that was already trained to be a milker.  I've bought very few that have even been handled much.  Training a milk goat is quite an experience.  I like to think it's a talent my Heavenly Father gave me.  Establishing this new herd, meant much diligence was required in the milking parlor.  I have been so blessed this spring in actually establishing an individual rapport with each of these new girls!  Four milk goats have been trained in a month, here in the Land of Goshen, and the one I trained last fall will be joining the line-up in a week and a half.  There are five young doelings who should be ready to join the milkers next year, YHWH willing.

I realize four is not a large number, and if milking goats was all I did, I'd be embarrassed to even post it, but it's been quite an accomplishment for me to train these girls, and maintain the rest of my schedule through planting season.  I truly enjoy working with these spirited, entertaining creatures.  Even though they are trained to be milk goats, they have maintained their individual uniqueness.  I've always had a favorite or two, but this new herd is colossal.  They are all my favorites in different ways.  The "practical preparation" has happened very quickly!  The "Jacob's herd" is finally established and I now refer to myself as the goat whisperer.

Introducing Gertrude, Eloise, Anastasia, Jackie, and Della