Goats and Rain
The rains have returned.
It is suddenly that time of year in which the ever-present dampness of the Pacific Northwest permeates every outdoor surface. Everything just looks like it has gotten a good soaking. It takes….mmmmmm….maybe a day to get used to then it’s, “Oh yeah, I remember how to do this” and you fall right back into the fervent control of …..wet and muddy things.
So, although the dampness of later fall is quite familiar, there is a big question lingering….well, actually there are three questions lingering…..
Larry, Curly, and Mo …… (Montana, Clark and Lott are their real names…they just act like the Three Stooges sometimes…hahaha.) We have not gone through a rainy season with hoofed livestock before this year. One thing I can tell you is goats do NOT like being rained on. As soon as they detect drops falling, no matter how lightly, they head for their shelter. Their motto… “Don’t be the last guy in” cause the 1st or 2nd guy might be standing in the doorway blocking the way in. When that happens it’s quite the pathetic scene. Picture a sad looking goat standing outside the doorway….naying a sad, “Naaaaaaaaaa”…..
……while sprinkles of water accumulate across his fluffy winter coat… all the while looking at you like, “Can’t you do something here?” In the meantime, nice-and-dry brother goat stands smack dab in the doorway….looking out at you….staring at you while chewing, chewing, chewing, and in you’re mind you know he’s saying something profound like, “What?”
So, yes, the lazy days of summer have truly passed. The late fall lesson that I have to learn is definitely how to manage goats during the rainy seasons of Oregon. They are spending more time in their enclosure…..I like the guys to have a clean dry covering of straw for the night since we close them in at dusk, and there is a certain timing to that especially when it is raining. The challenge….getting the goats out of their house while cleaning/adding dry straw, clean water, and grain for the night…..while it’s raining on top of these fluffy boys that do NOT like to be out in the rain. Sometimes it is chaotic, and comical. Never a dull moment!!
The air is crisp, cold, and fresh….the dry yellows have disappeared, giving way to green once again. I love this time of year…..
…..these beauties seem to, as well.
Thank you for visiting the farm on this cool, rainy, November day! I hope your day is completely awesome!!
Your friend from Oregon,
Tami
Build Me a Dream 