This is the second in my promised “Cast of” posts. You can see the first post, Cast of Characters, on my new Who’s Who page, where I’ll be adding all the links to the “Cast of” posts as the series continues. The link to the Who’s Who page can be found in the sidebar in the “About Me” section (under my photo).
My goats are my darlings. If you have below standard-size goats, which we do, they are similar in size and handling to medium-to-large dogs. You can pick them up, and they’re easy to manage. All you need is a cookie and they’ll go anywhere you want. They’re cute, fun, pet-like, loaded with personality, and smart. If I had to give up all my barnyard animals but one, I choose goats and chickens.
Okay, that’s two, but don’t make me pick between goats and chickens. I can’t do it.
I met Clover for the first time two years ago. She’s a Nigerian Dwarf goat, a breed known as mini milkers. She’d recently had two babies, and when we took Clover, we took the babies, too, cementing Clover’s queen bee role on the farm. She came from a farm with a number of does, so her arrival on our farm, with naught but her own babies, meant she was able to seize the command position in the herd and she’s never given it back.
Clover: “I was born to be worshipped.”
She taught me everything I know about goats. I tied her up, down, sideways, and inside out and milked her for awhile, till she wore me down and I survived to milk another day.
She’s bossy, demanding, prissy, and pushy. She’s the first to run to me when she sees me coming, and oddly, the most patient with my various machinations whether it be to make her wear a lace veil, a tiara, or goggles.
She actually halfway cooperates, which is either due to her utter devotion to me or to the cookies in my pocket.
I’m head over heels in love with her.
And she knows it.
I’m hoping she’s pregnant now, but we don’t know for sure yet. (In case you missed it, she had a very exciting affair recently.)
We still have one of Clover’s babies, Nutmeg, aka Rotunda.
Nutmeg is an escape artist and her mother’s closest barnyard friend. Goats are social animals and they have their cliques. Clover and Nutmeg spend their free time napping together, strategizing world domination, talking trash about the other goats, and keeping a close eye on my every move so as not to miss a cookie.
Nutmeg might be pregnant, too, but she’s not tellin’. She’s two years old now. (Clover is about 3 1/2.) We lost our dear little Honey, Clover’s other baby. He was a wether and a sweet, sweet thing who lived up to his name. He died mysteriously last year.
We also lost our wonderful, beloved Pepsi, our first Fainting goat. Fainters are smaller than the standard-size goat, too, but they’re just as big on personality. They’re beautiful animals with the odd predilection of stiffening up and falling over when startled, due to a genetic abnormality that makes them popular farm novelties. The falling over thing doesn’t bother them at all, though it’s a real obstacle for them if they’re startled by the sudden ruckus that erupts when I show up with treats. They have a serious disadvantage in getting to the scene first if they have one of their episodes on the way.
We now have Sprite, Fanta, and Mr. Pibb in our Fainting herd. Sprite is beautiful, charming, and very demure. She and Fanta both easily give over the barnyard power to Clover without a fight. Sprite has long eyelashes and a shaggy coat. She’s the good girl you can’t hate because she’s really as good as she says she is.
Fanta always seems slightly magical to me, as if she’s not of this world.
Her coat is sleek and her body frame is lighter than Sprite’s, more gazelle-like. She has an aura of dainty mystery about her. Sprite and Fanta are two peas in a pod, never far away from each other. They nap together, memorize Bible verses, pray for Clover, and try to stay out of everybody’s way.
Sprite and Fanta are both about a year old. I’ve got Mr. Pibb back in with them now and I’m hoping that they will be making baby bottle caps soon. Mr. Pibb is our new Fainting stud, and he’s my cutie-pie sweet boy. With his gorgeous coloring, I’m expecting pretty babies between the three of them.
Completely the opposite of cutie Mr. Pibb, Eclipse is the rough and rowdy Nigerian Dwarf stud Clover brought home from a bar one night.
He’s handsome, albeit disgusting. His buddy Rhett is another Nigerian, slightly shrimpy, and desperate for the attention the girls just won’t give him. I’m trying to talk him into taking up some hobbies. Fly fishing. Woodworking. Something, anything. I may have to let him sign up for some chat rooms where he can talk to girls and pretend he looks like Eclipse.
The boys are so nasty. I’m glad the girls don’t stick their tongues out like that.
Clover!!!
You can see the full archive of my posts about my goats here.
Nancy in Iowa says:
I LOVE this! I have followed your blog for over a year, but even I enjoy the recap of your critters! It’s nice to see all the goaties here. The bios you gave them are priceless! Thank you!
On June 4, 2010 at 1:56 am
Melissa says:
Now I really can’t wait until we get our goats! Thanks for another entertaining read. I think you lead a charmed life. I can’t wait to read about the cast of chickens!
On June 4, 2010 at 2:54 am
SuzieQ says:
They are just so pretty…sorry, guys, but you are too! :dancingmonster:
On June 4, 2010 at 3:51 am
Tracey In Paradise,Pa. says:
:purpleflower: Love Love your goats!! Thanks for sharing..Where do you find enough time in the day??
Hugs Granny Trace
On June 4, 2010 at 4:49 am
Kelly Walker says:
It’s easy to see why you love your goats so much. They are adorable. I loved painting them while working on my Farm Animal series. They turned out so very cute. Thanks again for letting me use them as “models”.
On June 4, 2010 at 5:37 am
Cousin Sheryl says:
“Memorizing Bible verses, praying for Clover…” ROTFLMBO 😆
You crack me up, Suzanne!
:heart:
On June 4, 2010 at 6:28 am
CindyP says:
Cute! I really hope there’s more to add to the cast! CLOVER!
I especially love the pic of Clover helping you make soap! 😆
On June 4, 2010 at 7:07 am
Barbee' says:
What a fun way to start the day. Thank you, Suzanne.
On June 4, 2010 at 7:26 am
Sandra says:
I remember how sad I was when the two little goats passed. We had a goat for years named Nanny. Grandmother would put a red sweater on her during hunting season.
On June 4, 2010 at 8:48 am
LIZZIE VINSON says:
THIS IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE ENTRY EVER. I AM OVER HERE ROLLING IN LAUGHTER AND IN JEALOUSY!!!!!!
On June 4, 2010 at 9:51 am
joycee says:
Well, I’m addicted to the whole cast at Chickens in the Road production. Glad you are “on,” no more American Idol!
On June 4, 2010 at 10:03 am
Miss Becky says:
wow, I don’t know which face is cuter. I love Mr. Pibb’s, but if they were mine, they all would be getting kisses all day long. your goats are beautiful Suzanne; thanks for the lovely photos and the introductions :heart:
On June 4, 2010 at 10:14 am
cabynfevr says:
Shouldn’t it be “udder” devotion??? lol I giggled throughout the post…thank you again Suzanne.
On June 4, 2010 at 10:15 am
Darlene says:
You are the sunshine of our day, Suzanne!
I love the cast of charactors that you’re doing. Can’t wait to see what you have to say about your other “pets”. That’s whats so great about you….the love you have for each of your animals. Now if I can just get myself off the floor and back to work.
On June 4, 2010 at 10:33 am
Cheryl S. says:
What a great way to start the day…..learning more about the cast of characters in your barnyard! Thanks for making me laugh out loud on this dreary and wet Friday!
On June 4, 2010 at 11:08 am
Melissa Marsh says:
I think the goats are my favorite animals at your farm. Just love ’em!!!
On June 4, 2010 at 11:25 am
KentuckyFarmGirl says:
I love all the cast at your farm. Your Clover is so my Nellie! She’s rotten, spoiled, jealous and having a horrible time dealing with the attention Bella, the new milk queen, is getting.
On June 4, 2010 at 11:40 am
catslady says:
My favorite type of post :yes:
On June 4, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Geneva says:
I love your goats! We have four noisy hens, three rodent-eating cats and a non-retrieving Labrador. We added a Nigerian Dwarf goat to the mix last week. He is very fun, just like you said. I never knew so many people loved goats.
On June 4, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Linda says:
Oh my gosh, lol. But they are cute!
Hope you all have a great weekend! 🙂
On June 4, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Betty says:
Goats are my favorite animal, love your pictures!! This is the first year in over twenty that I did not have a barnfull of goat babies.
On June 4, 2010 at 2:53 pm
trish says:
praying for Clover had me laughing out loud. lol 😆
On June 4, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Glenie says:
Funny, Funny, Funny! Love it.
On June 4, 2010 at 8:00 pm
ssuther27 says:
Hilarious. I laughed from beginning to end. What a great cast of characters and a great story teller!! 😆
On June 4, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Janet says:
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and enjoy it very much, but this is great quality writting. I think you should submit it for some sort of contest. Absolutely charming.
On June 4, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Janet says:
Dog gone, the first comment I’ve made and I make a spelling error. Obviously I do not write blogs.
On June 4, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Lisa says:
😆 That was great !!
On June 5, 2010 at 12:14 am
Annegi says:
Love it! Your blog always makes me smile no matter what’s going on in my little world.
Thank you.
On June 5, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Maura @ Lilac Lane Cottage says:
LOL….Great post Suzanne…you always make me laugh and start my day on a happy note. I hope you have a wonderful day…..Chic :hungry2:
On June 7, 2010 at 10:32 am
Valerie says:
Wonderful post. They all have their own cute personalities, don’t they? Thanks so much for all the laughs today. I can’t wait til you write the Chicken installment. :chicken:
On June 7, 2010 at 7:14 pm
monica says:
Somehow, I missed this post until this morning! Oh what a treat for Little N to see during his first week of summer vacation! Thanks Suzanne: you didn’t disappoint! :snoopy:
On June 8, 2010 at 10:27 am
JeannieB says:
Girl, you are just too funny!!! made my day!
On June 10, 2010 at 9:48 am
Catherine says:
Love your site – have been reading for a while and I remember the posts describing your tribulations with milking Clover. Anyway, there’s an article in the Globe and Mail (Canadian newspaper) about a goat milking invention of an Alaskan ( https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/financing/goat-milkers-frustration-leads-to-invention/article1614548/ ).
I don’t know if you have any interest in the product given that you have Beulah now but I thought you could definitely sympathize with the inventor’s problem in milking his own goat and subsequent invention.
On June 23, 2010 at 8:33 pm