Last night I went out to milk. The chickens were glad to see me. Only one of my spooky goats was in the barn.
Where Are the Goats?
Rose was most unhappy. Goats are herd animals and her herd was missing. She stood in the doorway calling. No one answered.
The herd had been in the front pasture a short time ago. They were not there now. And, why was Rose alone?
What Happened?
There had been a truck parked in front of the house. People were around the truck.
Our creek is part of a research project this summer. A student working toward her master’s degree is studying cold water creeks, ones resulting from spring water.
Spooky Goats
When my herd came into the barn lot, they saw and heard these strangers. The herd went back out the gate and headed up a nearby hill. Somehow Rose didn’t notice and stayed in the barn.
I have defined goats as perpetual two to three year olds with a double dose of orneriness at a hundred plus pounds. Like young children, they are afraid of strangers.
Years ago, when I took my goats to the county fair, my goats weren’t spooky goats. They were used to noise and people.
None of my present herd has ever left the property. They rarely see anyone other than us. Everyone is a stranger and strangers are run away from.
Now What?
I knew which hill the herd went up. Spring is usually the ringleader.
It was near dark. This is a very steep hill and loose gravel covers the sides. I am not about to go up this hill with a flashlight after these spooky goats.
Instead I went out and called. Usually the herd will come back when I call. They didn’t.
Poor Rose was left alone to have her dinner and wait. The herd did come back before morning pretending they had never been gone.
