When I write about our animals I devote most of my attention to our horses, dogs, cats and birds. But although my little friend Sammy doesn't get a lot written space, he is, like all the others, dear to our hearts.
My wife surprised me with Sammy last year, like she does with so many of our animals who come to us because someone just didn't love them anymore. I came home one Saturday from a trip to the town and I heard a bleat, looked in the side yard, and there he was trying to climb the fence to come over and introduce himself. Oh, he can be a handful at times, but he has a way of looking at you that just grabs the soul. So of course we kept him.
He boards with our Shetland pony Angus, sharing a large paddock created out of our side yard. My wife put together a two stall small mini-barn for them so that they had a place to get out of the weather. The two of them have a real love-hate relationship. Sammy likes to pester Angus but when the pony's had enough, he just gives our little horned friend a slight nip as ponies do. We keep them clipped so that they are never more than nubs.
The most difficult thing about Sammy is keeping him out of Angus' feed bucket. Even though he knows that once Angus is fed I'll give him a handful, he still likes to run into the stall fast before Angus can get there. I have to manhandle him out of there or Angus probably wouldn't get much to eat. But once Sammy's bucket is tended to, this little billy goes right to eating and leaves his roommate alone..........at least for the time being.
And he does have one special talent that earns his keep. He is a weed whacker supreme along the fence line. When he's around I never have to worry about spooling line. But, on the other hand, he also likes to prune trees, including those that don't need it. We're still working on a safety measure for the crape myrtles.
But when I go out in the morning, or head indoors at the end of the day, Sammy's bleat always says good morning or goodnight. And it reminds me that he counts on me and, yes, I won't let him down.
So here's to little Sammy, a cute little goat who gets Angus' goat daily. Oh, well, it keeps them both in shape.
Animals: No matter what kind or whether big or small, they are God's gift to us and placed in our care. They offer a wonderful respite from the cares of this world and we're glad we have them, each and every one.
My wife surprised me with Sammy last year, like she does with so many of our animals who come to us because someone just didn't love them anymore. I came home one Saturday from a trip to the town and I heard a bleat, looked in the side yard, and there he was trying to climb the fence to come over and introduce himself. Oh, he can be a handful at times, but he has a way of looking at you that just grabs the soul. So of course we kept him.
He boards with our Shetland pony Angus, sharing a large paddock created out of our side yard. My wife put together a two stall small mini-barn for them so that they had a place to get out of the weather. The two of them have a real love-hate relationship. Sammy likes to pester Angus but when the pony's had enough, he just gives our little horned friend a slight nip as ponies do. We keep them clipped so that they are never more than nubs.
The most difficult thing about Sammy is keeping him out of Angus' feed bucket. Even though he knows that once Angus is fed I'll give him a handful, he still likes to run into the stall fast before Angus can get there. I have to manhandle him out of there or Angus probably wouldn't get much to eat. But once Sammy's bucket is tended to, this little billy goes right to eating and leaves his roommate alone..........at least for the time being.
And he does have one special talent that earns his keep. He is a weed whacker supreme along the fence line. When he's around I never have to worry about spooling line. But, on the other hand, he also likes to prune trees, including those that don't need it. We're still working on a safety measure for the crape myrtles.
But when I go out in the morning, or head indoors at the end of the day, Sammy's bleat always says good morning or goodnight. And it reminds me that he counts on me and, yes, I won't let him down.
So here's to little Sammy, a cute little goat who gets Angus' goat daily. Oh, well, it keeps them both in shape.
Animals: No matter what kind or whether big or small, they are God's gift to us and placed in our care. They offer a wonderful respite from the cares of this world and we're glad we have them, each and every one.
Lots of stories, all real and natural, are available in my book, Honey, We Shoulda' Bought the Ark, which can be found at the following sites:
www.outskirtspress.com/honeyweshouldaboughttheark
or
www.amazon.com/author/jamesdick
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