Goat Watching

This is the end result of an experiment gone wrong.

Earlier this week, we decided to see what would happen if we let Cletus (the goat) off his tether. I have had several bad experiences with runaway goats, dating back to my childhood, so I was understandably apprehensive (though as an adult, I realize the best policy for dealing with your runaway, horrible goats is to just let them run and act all "I have no idea whose goats those are" if someone asks later).

Cletus is good on his tether, but very needy and pathetic, calling out to us every time we go outside. I have friends who let their goats have free range and considering the chickens and the piglets get to roam, we thought Cletus deserved a chance. And so we let Cletus go on a day both Nathan and I were home, so we could better supervise the experience.

The initial result was....nothing. Cletus ran to the barn and stood there all day, just peering out. He finally came out when we "took him with us" and toured the yard a bit. Yesterday he spent most of the afternoon following the piglets around...which inevitably led him to the house.

When you do things like take the time to teach your pigs to sit using gummi candy and let your chickens eat crackers while sitting on your lap, your "livestock" soon learn to keep a close eye on the front door lest they miss seeing their favorite treat-dispensing person leave. Cletus, in following the pigs, soon learned to stick around the door and come running with the rest of the crew.

And tonight, Cletus took it up a level. He realized he could watch and "baa" at me if he just jumped up a bit and looked in the window. And so now Evie and I are trapped in the house while one goat, two pigs and five chickens circle the door waiting...waiting...and waiting for us to come out.