Rose adores her goats.
She now has four years of goat tending.
Currently she owns three alpine/nubians and one lamoncha.
This farmer-wanna-be takes complete care of the goats.
When their pen needs fixin, she is responsible.
She did bribe some local help, though.
Together they doubled the pen size, which will be nice for the winter.
In the meantime, they are staked out every day on free food consisting of grass, tree branches,
brush and plenty of weeds, all in abundance here.
This hand feed orphan thinks she is a puppy,
and follows Rose everywhere..including getting in to Rose's car whenever Rose does.
Although Rose is very fond of her baby, she still does not prefer goat kisses.
Pretty adorable, and milk and cheese to boot.
I am a big fan of children raising livestock.
Growing up in a 4-H predominate culture myself, I see the value in caring for animals.
Children who are brought up with tending livestock have an early maturity in dependability, responsibility and spotting needs without someone having to tell them what to do.
Raising goats has been a very practical help to our family,
and Rose benefits as well by the training in responsibility that animal husbandry requires.
There is no, "I don't feel like doing my chores this morning" with dairy animals.
They MUST be milked rain, snow, sickness, or come what may.
Of course, there is also being responsible for something other than just yourself,
there are costs and profits to be figured,
and a huge learning curve on fodder, illnesses, breeding, culling, shelter, pasture, and on and on.
In my perfect world,
parents would replace worthless video games in their children's hands
with a farm animal to care for.
Working with your hands and tending animals,
this is rewarding work that satisfies the soul.
And that would be a lovely gift to give our children.
