Since our visit to choose our first goats, I’ve been trying to impress upon Coco the urgency of our situation. As the resident livestock guardian dog in charge of the goats’ very lives, she plays an important role. We have a mother goat coming now. With two very young babies. We have a lot to learn, and quickly. Do you hear that, Coco?
We need to make sure we have the appropriate housing, fencing, pasture, gates, and latches. We need a manger, Coco. A manger sounds like it should be a crib for a tiny angel, but it’s actually a type of feeding bin designed to keep goats from wasting or contaminating their hay. It’s a neat word, though, isn’t it, Coco? Manger. I like that word.
We need to feed them right, Coco, so we will have good milk from Clover and so the babies will grow up big and strong. They need a mixture of pasture, hay, and grain, and for good milk production, Clover needs extra protein.
Are you getting all this, Coco?
They’ll need immunizations and injections and hoof-cleaning. Goats are among the healthiest and hardiest domestic animals, but it’s our job to maintain their natural state of good health with proper care and management, Coco.
We’re going to need a good milking pail and a strainer, Coco, and we’re going to have to figure out how to milk and then how to make goat cheese. And not just cheese but cream, yogurt, ice cream, fudge, pudding, and more. We can make it all with goat’s milk, Coco! Not to mention soap! But before we can do any of that, the book says somebody has to wash the udder. I’m going to need some emotional support here, Coco.
Coco?
Are you paying attention, Coco? The goats are coming soon, Coco! This is important! It’s a big responsibility!
COCO!!!!
Kim A. says:
All Coco is hearing is, “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, Coco. Blah, blah, blah…Coco?!”
Boy, she looks like she had fun. That’s one dirty pup. LOL. Obviously exhausted herself — she’s too tired to listen to you. You’ll have to go over the whole goat management thing again when she’s rested. And clean. 😆
-Kim
On July 12, 2008 at 5:19 am
Mental P Mama says:
That puppy is the cutest! She knows all about goat husbandry…I can just tell. :woof:
On July 12, 2008 at 6:59 am
Julie Andrea in Englehart, ON says:
Is it possible that the ‘guardian dog’ genetics passed her by? Because .. she is so sweet and cuddly looking, I can’t imagine her scaring anything away. :woof:
Thanks for our Coco fix for the day, don’t you want to rub that little tummy?
On July 12, 2008 at 7:01 am
Annie says:
Coco is thinking,”What are you blathering on about, woman? Can’t you see I’m in the middle of the dry cycle?”
On July 12, 2008 at 7:14 am
Jyl says:
I am also wondering how she is ever going to make a good guard dog. She cracks me up! And while she is still young…she looks spoiled rotten.
On July 12, 2008 at 8:20 am
Christine says:
😆 😆 Yep, Coco’s all over it. The porch that is. The goats are on their own.
On July 12, 2008 at 8:32 am
Beckynsc says:
Coco says, “Do I have to grow up so fast. Can’t I just be a puppy a little longer?”
:woof:
On July 12, 2008 at 8:58 am
Suzette says:
Boy! She was fishing hard for that belly rub! I suspect she got it, too. 🙂
Don’t you wish there was some sort of “cute spray” you could use to preserve babies for just a little while longer? What a darling little dog! She charms me every time I look at her.
On July 12, 2008 at 9:05 am
Shari C says:
I have the feeling Coco was not exactly worrying about the care of the goats coming, but more about having some attention herself…like a little tummy rub. Love the photos!
On July 12, 2008 at 9:55 am
happyathome says:
Oh boy, Coco seems to be in the selective hearing zone. Wow, isn’t it amazing how quickly they learn that!
https://lifeislikechampagne.blogspot.com/
On July 12, 2008 at 9:56 am
Jill S. says:
She is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
On July 12, 2008 at 10:12 am
Kathy R says:
Farm animals – lots of responsibility, but tons of joy. It’s like bringing your first baby home from the hospital — you just hope you have the nursery ready, and you know what to do when they cry. Don’t worry, you and the goats will survive. And the goats and the puppy will grow up together.
On July 12, 2008 at 10:14 am
LinMN says:
If only you had stopped lecturing poor Coco long enough to truly listen to the dear girl, you would have understood….
“Coco NOT guard doggy. Coco is meerkat.”
On July 12, 2008 at 10:31 am
Claudia W says:
I wanna do what Coco is doing! She looks so comfy, cozy!
Lucky dog.
On July 12, 2008 at 10:47 am
Debbie in Memphis says:
Ahhhh! I needed my Coco fix this morning. She’s too cute.
On July 12, 2008 at 10:53 am
jeanne.macbean says:
mmm, wet puppy.yummo
On July 12, 2008 at 11:05 am
Donna says:
Is that not the CUTEST pup in the world! Darling little baby Coco! Bah Humbug she says…I’m restin…tell me later! LOL
Sounds like those goats are going to be a full time job!
Oh, that little chicken is so cute!
On July 12, 2008 at 11:53 am
maryann says:
Oh man even dirty she is adorable!! More then likely she is thinking “Mom why are you telling me this? All of that work needs opposable thumbs, which I don’t have. Besides I will be working the night shift.” 😆
On July 12, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Shimmy Mom says:
Coco: “Details, Details, Details, just let me sleep til they get here. Then we can worry about the details.”
On July 12, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Tori Lennox says:
I want a Coco of my very own!!!
On July 12, 2008 at 1:14 pm
SuzieQ says:
She’s adorable. Would love to scoop her up in my lap, dirt and all, and just get puppy kisses from her.
On July 12, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Estella says:
Typical kid, Suzanne. In one ear and out the other.
But she is cute.
On July 12, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Susan says:
Coco told me she was born and bred to do the things you are telling her. She is napping now so she’ll be ready when they arrive.
On July 12, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Joanne says:
She’s just taking it all in and resting up for the big day. She’s gonna love Clover and her babes…she’ll know what to do 😉
On July 12, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Kacey says:
so far Coco isn’t look too interested in helping…
On July 12, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Amy says:
Huh. I think I’ve had a conversation similar to that with 13 (well, not about goats, but the same attitude about the converstaion).
:wall:
On July 12, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Brandy says:
I’m thinking Coco doesn’t look very interested in goat guarding. *G*
On July 12, 2008 at 6:29 pm
catslady says:
It’s going to be as easy as walking down those steps!!!
And for a moment I thought one of your chickens was on the lamb :sheepjump:
On July 12, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Shelley says:
:yes: Coco looks like she’s up to the task!!
On July 12, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Crystal B. says:
Coco is so cute. 🙂
On July 14, 2008 at 10:01 am
Heather from NC says:
I can’t wait to read more about your goats. I hope you’ll post lots of pictures and instructions and recipes. I just moved to the country and I plan to get some milk goats. I am a few months behind you but I can’t wait. Please teach me…I am hungry for knowledge and herbed goat cheese!
On July 14, 2008 at 2:02 pm
TeresaH says:
wah-wa wah-wa wah-wah, bet you sound just like Charlie Browns teacher to Coco! :woof:
On July 15, 2008 at 1:35 am