We worked on the fence for months, making sure it would keep everything in or out as required, spent lots of money and time. We were so tired of all 13 goats being underfoot, on/in the cars, sweeping the porch, making sure doors were latched so they couldn't get in the house, etc, etc...

Well, the goats have been nicely fenced in their pasture for about a month now, and I MISS them! I can see them from the house, and I go every day at least once to feed and pet them, but I really miss having them right here. I miss them so much that I can't wait until they are due to kid so that I can bring them back up to the house.

Just whining, and my family doesn't understand. Thanks.

-- Teresa in TN (otgonz@bellsouth.net), December 06, 2000

Answers

I understand totally! I have about a dozen goats myself (Nubians, the naughtiest breed). While my does are locked up safe, I do have a few wethers etc. wandering around the yard. Some situation as yours, goat poop on the porch, no flowers in the yard, can't leave the car out or they're in it or on it, you can't get in or out of the house without them trying to get in and they are good at opening the door by themselves anyway. The neighbors come over and have to run the "goat gauntlet" to get to our house. DH got tired of it and locked them all up a couple days ago. I was so relieved, but now I miss them, LOL. But, one of the little guys escaped the pen yesterday and is back to his old tricks.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), December 06, 2000.

I got that way last fall when we had to put my little baby pony in a "pasture". It broke my heart to hear her screaming for me, even though it's only about 50 feet away from the house. She had the run of the yard before, for her first few months, and she would sleep on the porch if I was inside. Every time I went out, she got up and followed me around. I bottle fed her with goats milk from day 1 and I am her moma to her. She was even in the house for the first week, and then if a real bad storm was comming, I would make her lay on a blanket in the laundry room. But as she got older, she would pin her ears and chase the meter reader and act like she was guarding the yard. She still does that, only now there's a fence between them. She chases his truck all the way out! Now she has a buddy, Rosco the Jack, he's a gelding, and I don't feel so bad. But she is still my baby, and she comes running when I call.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), December 06, 2000.

AAHH! Cindy..there's nothing sadder than an orphan foal or weaning! Our little colt came home and would stand all night closest to the bedroom window,whinnying in the rain.The neighbours rottweilers came over and scared him and my wonderful hubby was out there in his gotchies calling the wee fella into the barn.I dread weaning days. teri

-- teri m (mrs_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), December 06, 2000.

My pygmy used to get out on a regular basis. I didn't mind too much. Had some interestingly trimmed shrubs. One day my new neighbor mentioned that as they were setting their modular home, the family were all standing in the street watching. They looked down and there was Amy, chewing her cud, watching too. She looked up at them, kicked her heels and came running home. That was the last time she was allowed to get out. (the neighbor mentioned something about goat chops) Amy's gone now. She ate something toxic when a tree knocked down the fence but the memories of that little thing are lasting.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), December 07, 2000.

I understand! When we finally got the rabbit barn addition completed enough to move my Angoras and the pet rabbits into it, it was like they had been moved to China...even though it's only a short way from the house! I get a lot of exercise now walking back and forth to "check on" the rabbits when in actuality it's only ME that needs the checking!

I hope to have Angora goats sometime in the future so I loved reading about your goats!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), December 09, 2000.