My New Goat

Anastasia and Avalon are truly adapting well to our "group."  In less than two weeks, they have their place in the herd as well as displaying their affection for their new "goat herder."  Now, I've gotten pretty attached to goats along the way.  Stella and Velvet have tenure as my "girl friends," but they never have done what Avalon did the other day.

Let me tell you about Velvet, just briefly.  Her picture is in "Sweet Memories & Happy Plates," the Cook Book I wrote a few years ago, so she has clout and she doesn't let anyone forget it.  She's Queen Bee of the pygmies.  When the windows are open, as soon as I turn on the stove to make coffee in the morning, I hear from Velvet, quite loudly and persistently, that it's chore time.  Now she has free access hay and the pasture is lush, with a water tub and pond, so it's not that she needs anything, she's just expressing the fact that she's a presence to be dealt with.  In the evening, she runs to the milking parlor and insists upon being first.

Stella, on the other hand, is also Queen Bee of the other other pasture.  Interestingly, I love both these goats, but they do not get along so well together.   Stella is not so boisterous as Velvet.  She is secure in her identity and she "talks," softly when she sees me.  She saunters to the milk parlor in the evening and is simply, strictly business.  I haven't humanized them, but they obviously have their personalities and we have our relationship.

Anastasia is doing well, but she's the typical herd type goat.  Avalon, however; took me by surprise.  When I leave the place, Hank the guardian dog is always at the gate to greet me upon my return.  He hears the vehicle coming and he's at the gate when I round the corner of the lane.  The other day, as usual, Hank met me at the gate, Stella looked up from her grazing and muttered, but Avalon, came running and "talking" and flagging her tail like she was wagging it like a happy puppy.  Of all the goats I've ever been privileged to know, I've never had one act like Avalon did the other day.

One of the greatest blessings of homesteading is the critters, and their unique personalities our Creator gave each of them!