Why am I writing about counting goat blessings? Well, because I’m intentionally reminding myself that we’re blessed to have twelve Nigerian Dwarf goats. I found myself in a conversation with another goat owner recently where I mentioned “getting rid of the goats” several times. And that struck me as very odd.
We’ve worked hard to make a good home for the goats and care for them to the best of our ability, as well as establish their great milk production and conformation credentials. Usually, I’m worried about finding the best homes I can for them if any need to leave, not about “getting rid of them”. So, after that conversation, I wondered if they were no longer something we should be doing or why my perspective seemed to have changed.
I think that many days of wet, rainy, sunless Ohio weather, followed by intense cold have had something to do with it. And, it’s difficult to get away when you’re responsible for livestock. They need care every day regardless of rain, shine, cold, or your own illness. Many of our friends are currently down in sunny Florida, and it would be nice to join them, at least for a little while.
So, if you’re thinking of getting livestock, be sure to consider what you’re really committing to. Then, if you think you’ve got the constitution and stamina for it (every day, rain or shine), that’s great. We’ve had lots of potential new goat owners visit to find out how we care for them and reservations for the kids are going well, but I hope everyone is considering the consequences of goat ownership long and hard before purchasing.
After reflecting on whether I was still having “fun” with the goats, I decided that the answer was yes. I spend way too many hours in activities associated with them that I really love, so am not ready to give them up. A trip out to the barn to see them always makes me smile, and this time of year they look especially comical. The older girls are getting rounder every day (pregnant) and they puff themselves up so much in the cold – Randy says they look like cotton balls on legs.
I don’t enjoy the cold (and have to admit that I never will), but some warmer boots, gloves, and getting the cameras in the barn working well again should help. The days are actually getting longer already and joyful spring babies are just around the corner. There will come a day when we can no longer or no longer wish to care for the goats, but thankfully, that day’s not here yet! I just need to step back occasionally – remember all the reasons that I love them and count my blessings.
I have a lovely cousin who is also a goatherd who was kind enough to farm-sit so I could have a ‘real’ holiday. {Usually I say “I don’t need a holiday, I live in the Wairarapa” but this was a family wedding.} But, I also have 20 goats [13 two-month kids] so there is always the question of where the babies are going to go. For me the problem is reversed – it is too hot to do much outside just now – but it’s nice to cuddle up to a warm milking goat on a chilly morning. Keep up the good work, the warm weather is coming Heather
Hi Heather, I had to look up and read about Wairarapa, sounds lovely. I’ve decided I’m vacationing here too, no matter whether it’s cold 🙂 Enjoy all those little kids!
There are times I dream about traveling…and then I think of the logistics because we have animals. Even if we found someone to “farm sit”, I would be miserable with worry about my dogs and kitties. They are the only “children” my husband and I will have together. I just don’t think I could take it. Good thing we love, Love, LOVE our life in our Pasture and it truly is the only place we want to be. And all our critters are such blessings to us too. 🙂
Cheryl, you’re exactly right. I’ve also decided that instead of worrying about others vacationing in exotic places, I’m going to vacation right here. This was the dream I worked for, so why do I need a vacation from it? I’m officially on vacation every day!
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. There’s a little farm near me that has a little barnyard with 6 or 7 animals. There are goats, miniature horses and a couple of donkeys. I have thought many times how nice it would be to have animals like that. But you do have to make big sacrifices. I can leave my 15 chickens with their automatic feeder and waterer and a nearby cousin to pick up the eggs and check on hens. It would be much more complicated to leave larger barnyard animals. With this said, I will live vicariously through your stories. I’m so thankful for your blog.
Hi Debbie, yes it was simpler when we had just chickens, thanks for reading!