We knew after chickens, we wanted a baby goat.
A few years ago, we knew nothing about goats but we knew that we wanted goats to fill our fields. We learned about an auction that sold baby goats for very cheap, and we decided to go for it. They were selling for less than $50 sometimes, and we figured that we just had to go for it.
We were nervous. We didn't know how to bid in the auction or what it was going to have when we got there. Lucky for us, there were herds of baby goats just like what we wanted. Ryan and I circled the goat pen examining all the goats, and we made a list of their numbers of the ones we wanted to take home. Many of them looked the same, but before you are numb to everything, you can see all the differences.
The time came to bid. We watched others before us, but we both were sweating profusely at the thought of other people watching us raise a hand. I looked at him and said, "Bid on that one." He said, "No, you're the one bidding." My stomach sank. "Absolutely not." The panic in my chest heightened. I looked at Ryan and told him he needed to do this. The thought of myself raising my hand and going up to the arena to pick out a goat was beyond terrifying. I needed him to do this.
Finally, all the goats had been purchased. The price range was not bad for our budget, but some were higher than we expected. In the end, there was one goat left alone that was clearly from a herd or at least a sibling set. We couldn't let it go alone. Ryan bid for the first time and won him for a mere $65.
Goat came home in our Honda Ridgeline that we had borrowed at the time (but are now lucky enough to own). Everything happened so quickly, but we had to stop for gas on the way home. The sun was setting, and I walked around to check on him. To me at the time, it was such a fragile moment. Goat was just starting to get horns, and I was just learning, so now I know he was much younger than I realized at the time. His coat was still fluffy and brown like a baby goat's coat. He had spots of white on his head. He didn't sound like other goats- his bleat was almost mumbled and soft- I will never forget the sound. He just watched us with wide, brown eyes.
By the time we got home, it was dark. We had not yet moved into our new home, so Goat was going to be living in a dog kennel with a small dog house temporarily. Ryan carried Goat inside the house like a baby, and I followed behind with his things. Immediately, my maternal instincts kicked in, and my mama bear claws wanted to come out. Now, I love my family dearly, but I could see everyone ganging up on my new baby goat and everyone was offering ideas on how to feed him. My stress was so high because I knew I needed time to bond with this goat that was not used to being around so many people. Ryan looked at me and knew something was wrong. He calmed me down. I think back to this time now and realize how worried I was about one goat being bonded to me, and I truly miss this feeling. As many farmers will know, you have to lose this feeling to be a farmer; because this was the feeling that would ultimately tear my heart to pieces.
I woke up every morning before Ryan and walked out to the kitchen in my pajamas and hoodie. I carefully heated the water to a nice temperature and whisked his formula together. I poured it into his baby bottle. It really doesn't matter what species you are- the milk has to come from somewhere.
I would flip open the gate, and Goat would run over. I would walk in, and he would run back into his dog house. I would sit in the corner in the dirt and wait. Slow steps were being taken, and eventually Goat would come to me for his bottle. It took three days before my greeting from Goat was enthusiastic instead of afraid. He finally would guzzle down the whole bottle and climb into my lap for more.
Goat was our only goat for a while, and he would come when I called his name. I still call our herd by his name, and they still come.
All farmers go through an initial heartbreak. I just did not realize mine would be only 6 weeks after moving into what I thought was the farm of my dreams...
