Goat Woes revisited

 Today I'm looking back in preparation for tomorrow- a day of looking forward. Having this blog has made it easy for me to keep track of the ups and downs of our little place. It's like I have an online diary-a place where EVERYBODY IN THE WHOLE STINKING WORLD can see every mistake I've placed on the record. I love it!
 As I've perused the posts from this past year, I came across the accounting of my very first goat purchase.  I will never forget how thrilled I was when that little guy was laying in my lap! And I have learned soooo much about goats since then. I've googled and vetted and forumed  myself to near goat insanity! Looking over my first posting of goat woes has really tickled me today. I've come so far- light years from that day of worrying myself over bottle feedings. But I still haven't learned it all. I doubt it's even possible. And there are more goat woes now and on the horizon...

Archie-stealing the spotlight

 First let me say, I WAS WARNED. I blame no one but myself for the lessons I am learning the hard way. Everyone told me, "Don't let your goat learning be done with a buck goat." But I was hardheaded determined to bury my head in the sand   face the challenge head-on. I mean, Archie is so cute. SO cute. And he is so lovable. SO sweet and loving! Right? RIGHT? All those experienced goat ladies (and men) didn't really know what a good little guy he was! WAS!
 Don't get me wrong, he is still a cute, lovable guy, except for when he is being pushy. And he's gotten really good at being pushy. In fact he pushed me right into a fence panel a couple of days ago. And held me there until  DS#3 heard my yells for "help! and came to the rescue. So I've had to have backup every time I enter the pen since then. He won that battle and knew it. So along with MY learning about Archie, ARCHIE is going to have to learn about me. He will learn that I can be hardheaded determined also!
 Yesterday Archie met my new best friend- a spray bottle filled with vinegar. One little squirt to the face instantly changed his mind about taking his head to my thigh-the one that is currently black and blue from former Archie battles.
 I learned about this little trick on a goat forum while searching "aggressive bucks." I'm sharing it here to remind myself that the learning never ends. Even though I am closing out a year and looking forward to a new one, I hope to take the lessons learned with me and continue to grow. (And get more goats, shhhh don't tell DH!) Meanwhile, Archie is going to be memorizing a Bible verse for the new year:

Deuteronomy 14:4  These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,