The Tale Of Bob And The Goat Whisperer
I had an excellent day yesterday.
I started by getting my hair cut. That was overdue and nice to get it done. My dad came with me as it was the first time I actually used the new bus system. So we did a little reconnaissance. I used to be able to take the bus straight from where I live to the hair salon. Not anymore. But oh well. It worked out. And the hair cutting itself went fine, although I have never much liked the process. Back in the day I would go as long as possible between hair cuts. My hair would grow into a giant haystack until I couldn’t avoid the inevitable any longer. At least I’m a little better about it these days.
After that was done I went and spent good times with the goats. There was a group of kids there who were having fun with the goats too. They spoke English. Looked like they might be Africans or something like that. It was fun to watch them approach the goats. It didn’t take long for them to figure out that Mio is a very calm goat that you can hug and scratch without a problem. And that Magnethe has a temper so even if you feed her you have to be ready to jump away to safety! And they found the little guy awfully cute of course.
Speaking of him, he finally has a name. Per told me. They didn’t pick my suggestion, Tyson, after all. And they didn’t pick Preben either. He has ended up with the name Bob. Per told me that they had voted at the annual playground animal show. Which was last week I guess. And I missed it. So I couldn’t influence the vote! Darn it. But Bob is a nice name too. I can call him Bobby while he’s still (fairly) little. And I can pretend his full name is Sir Robert Tyson. Bob for short. No, I’m not weird. Anyway, a rose by any other name etc. He’s an adorable little sweetheart. Here he is on youtubes: youtube.com/watch?v=UMtkmouUvf8.
And the kids called me “a goat whisperer”. Which made me rather happy as that is exactly what I want to be. They thought I didn’t speak English. They didn’t realise that it’s not that I don’t speak English, it’s just that I don’t speak much in general.
But it was good fun. And then suddenly Mio was darting off into the distance. Broken free of her leash. I got up and went after her, thinking I could grab the leash and stick the plug back in the ground. Only to realise that she hadn’t pulled the plug out of the ground, the rope had simply snapped in two. It was a pretty old and worn rope. Not up to the task of keeping a goat that stretches for treats and scratches held. It’s funny when you approach a tied-down goat. They will streeeeetch out to get to you. They don’t want to wait for you to get all t he way close, they would rather push and pull all they can. Really putting a strain on that rope.
Well, Mio went through the fence and into the little horse field next to the goat pen. I went back to Magnethe. She was NOT amused. Running and baahing. Complaining. Obviously very unfair that Mio got to run off to her freedom while Magnethe had to stay put! I was considering what to do next when suddenly it was Magnethe who was darting off into the distance. She had pulled the plug right out of the ground. And was running along dragging the leash and plug behind her. She was not going to be the last goat left behind!
And naturally the kids were screeching in horror as the monstrous Magnethe came running towards them. Aiiii! I got a hold of Magnethe’s leash and held her back a little. She munched on some grass and leaves on the way and then went through the same fence that Mio had crossed. I went over the fence and secured Magnethe’s leash in the ground. That seemed like a good compromise. Lots of juicy grass there, so Magnethe appeared to be satisfied too. And shortly thereafter Per came out and he fixed Mio’s leash. And everything was calm again.
Later on I went to my parent’s place. Helped out with some computer issues. And then had dinner. Very good. And later, at home, I managed to make some progress on my own computer problems. So that was all good.
A okay.
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:20
So you are the “Goat Whisperer”. You speak goat, Danish, and English, “goat” being your first language. You are so talented!
I watched the 7 minute “Lawn Mower Goats”. I think you have 3-leafed clover with white flowers and maybe some dandylions? (Yellow flowers that turn white and the seeds blow thru the air). Watching goats eat grass makes me hungry and envious. You have such green, green juicy grass!
Ours is so dry since we haven’t had any rain to speak of since the end of June. I do believe your goats have a Danish grazing accent. hee, hee
August 27th, 2011 at 23:15
Debster – Maybe I could get a job as a goat translator. They probably need some of those in the UN. To help goats get their basic human/goat rights.
Yeah we have dandelions. When I was a kid my parents would pay me to remove all the dandelions in our lawn. If only we had goats back then!
August 30th, 2011 at 2:46
I guess no continent is safe from the effects of dandelions.
Have you ever tasted dandelion wine? I don’t like it. It tastes bitter, just like the plant does. I’ve never tried dandelion greens. They are supposed to be good when they are young and tender.
Maybe I’m not a goat after all if I don’t like dandelions!
September 2nd, 2011 at 23:38
Debster I have never tasted dandelion wine no. I didn’t even know there was such a thing!
Come to think of it, I have barely ever tasted any wine at all. Maybe a sip once. I’m not much of a alcohol drinker.