A few years around goats have taught me a few basic truths:
One: I like goats, which is something of a surprise as I really dislike sheep. Of course there's a story or two behind that but anyone who has been around sheep, particularly a large flock, knows stories like that. Goats don't smell bad. Even bucks in the fall don't stink like a wet sheep. Goats are fairly clever. A flock of sheep, like a large population of humans, seems to take on an IQ lower than the least clever member. Don't know why that is, but it makes herding 300 sheep with 2 dogs, and politics possible. Goats, on the other hand, can be taught cool things like coming in from the pasture when called, either by singing to them, or by extending my arms straight out to the sides and whistling to get their attention. A process which amuses my neighbors who grew up around a herd of 300 goats in Mexico. A few weeks after Junior first witnessed me calling the girls in he delightedly showed me that he had now taught his sheep to bleat when he called them, but they didn't really come running. He was proud anyway, and I have to admit it made me grin.
Two: Goats will eventually take over the dairy industry in the U.S. It will take a long time but it is inevitable. Goats are more efficient and produce better quality milk than cows. The natural selection of economics will eventually lead the US to the same conclusion as the rest of the world.
Three: Goats can sometimes bring me out of the darkest mood, and sometimes make me think about anger management classes. But I think the goats actually need pay attention and stick to the routine classes. In any case goats are pretty talented at invoking emotion, though don't ever seem to be burdened by any deep emotions themselves. It's pretty much a day of eat, play, nap, wreck something, and back to eat. Not much wrong with their lives. At least in the hands of responsible owners. Thistle and Tok have reminded me about the darker side of livestock keeping. The truth is goats have the power to change our lives and that's pretty cool.
After evening milking tonight it occurred to me that life around here can be pretty funny at times, at least to an observer in a position of safety from bruises and debris. We finished the rehab on the south fence last night, after dark, after some cursing about driving nails by braille. The good news is that now our loved ones can once again enjoy the pasture all day, which makes more milk. Not that our pasture is all that, especially not to a horse person. But what does grow out there makes more milk than hay or alfalfa pellet and they prefer it. Better yet I don't have to pay outlandish prices for it at the feed store. So milking took a little longer tonight but I was ready with an extra jug for the milk. When I finally got down to the last doe, Thistle, I was a bit tired but she was so cooperative (for her). When her turn came I called her and up she pops and trotted right in. It was too hard to get her up on the stand and getting her hobbled wasn't that bad. She did fuss a bit while I milked as she always does but I don't really blame her. As bad off as the skin on her teats is it's probably not very comfortable. She also put out more milk than usual and when she was empty I turned to set down the pitcher I milk into and the next thing I knew the milk stand was over on it's side, on my legs, and Thistle doing an awkward tap dance in my lap. I almost watched myself in amazement and I talked to her soothingly and finally managed to get her hobbles off and undo her collar clip. No yelling or cursing, and I even laughed a little through the process. When she was finally free she moved a couple of steps away and turned to watch me extricate myself and right the milk stand. I gave her a good pet and gently shoved her out the door. Goats are good for me. I normally would have called her every name in the book and probably took twice as long to get her undone, because a proper tirade takes a bit of concentration. They have taught me much more humor and self control, and much more.
I Like goats.
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, RandomGal. 
