The goats are here today! They arrived early too, about 8:15. I guess she had to come early to set up the fence. There were actually 2 people: the goatherd Alix, and a photographer who said she's working on a story for a magazine. I didn't quite catch the name; Our State maybe? Anyway, it's kind of cool and also kind of mortifying that my wild overgrown backyard will be appearing in a magazine.
Jane did really well. She never barked at them, even when they first came out of the trailer. (She didn't even know they were inside the trailer; what a surprise it must have been for her when a dozen animals her size popped out!). I held onto her at first, and then when she seemed calm enough I walked her over to the goat fence and let her check them out. After I let go of her she entertained herself running back and forth along the goat fence, trying to see them all. Once she yelped with excitement, but she never barked or tried to get through the fence. Good dog!
One of the goats was raised with dogs, as sort of a pet I guess, and that goat seemed to like Jane. It would approach the fence to get close to her. The others pretty much ignored her. They were too busy eating!
Today I work away from home all day, so frustrating that I couldn't stay home and watch the goats! For the few minutes I was there, they were eating voraciously. The goatherd said we have a good mix of plants for goats: honeysuckle and wild roses are particular favorites, and they also like poison ivy, of which we have plenty! (By the way, three days and no rash. I think I'm in the clear.) She said that when they first encounter a new area full of plants, they get excited and eat so fast they barely chew. Then they slow down as they start to clear the area.
I forgot to ask her how many goats were there. Looking at my photos I guess about a dozen. I have to remember to ask her tomorrow. She estimated they will be in our yard until Friday & maybe Monday as well. Good thing the forecast is clear for the rest of the week. She told me that goats are prone to get pneumonia so she can't leave them out in wet weather. And besides, they just don't like rain.
Poor Jane, cooped up in the house all day while the goats roam around in her yard. It must be driving her crazy. I bet she's spending the entire day standing in the window staring at them. Tonight we'll let her into the goat area so she can examine the, um, evidence they leave behind. And tomorrow she'll get to be outside during the day and check them out up close.
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