No decent discussion of goats would be complete without these two articles:
The Gift of the "Old One"
The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit to the little farm
where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of goats. The farm had been
named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine which topped the hill behind the farm,
and through the years had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a
landmark in the countryside.
The old folks no longer showed their goats, for the years had taken their toll, but they
sold a little milk, and a few kids each year, and the goats were their reason for joy in the
morning and contentment at day's end.
Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you
not at least dispose of "The Old One". She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since
you've had either kids or milk from her. You should cut corners and save where you can.
Why do you keep her, anyway?" The old man looked down at his worn boot, scuffed at the
barn floor, and his arm stole defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him
and rubbed her gently behind the ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love.
Only because of love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas
and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.
So it was, that because of the leave taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on
the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark at all. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at
the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to
call for help as he raced to the barn to save his beloved goats. But the flames were
roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground,
helpless before the fire's fury.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the
old man and his wife. They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old man
turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her
tears with a frayed red bandana.
Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of
Christmas. Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort
in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has
been spared."
And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his
own tears with the back of his hand. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of
the hill, they looked up and gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering,
snow frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And
poised on it's top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never
had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder, and incredible joy as he pulled his wife
forward. There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift.
Bedded down about the "Old One", close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd,
safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led
the goats through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them
up the hill, stepping daintily through the snow. The kids were frightened and dashed
about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked
their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The milkers
pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety
beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of those she loved.
Her body was brittle with years, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she
offered her gift because of love.
and...
Doe’s Secret Code of Honor
The Doe's Secret Code of Honor is as old as goats themselves and is ultimately the species best kept secret. No doe shall ever kid before its time. (Its time being determined by the following factors)
1) No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your owners house must be a wreck, their family hungry and desperate for clean clothes and their social life nonexistent.
2) Midwives must reach the babbling fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence means the time is getting close.
3) For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed at least one day for each item. If they use an audio monitor, one good yell per hour will keep things interesting.
4) If you hear the words "She's nowhere near ready. She'll be fine while we're away for the weekend," Wait till they load the car, then begin pushing!
5) Owner stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you are getting close.
6) When you hear the words "I can't take it anymore!" Wait at least three more days.
7) You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are mandatory! Little teasers like looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket then walking away from it, and nesting, are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.
8) The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all your barn mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of all those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. Oh! They made him do tricks too!? Three more days seem fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time.
9) If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have the kids, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe storm warning is what you're waiting for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that still works!
10) Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too.
Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doeling to carry on the Doe Code of Honor for the next generation of those who wait!