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21 November, 2008

Another Confession...or...I Love Goats!

I have another startling confession to make, although all of my friends who live near me know it...I want a goat. I would prefer a pygmy goat, but I'll take just about any goat. We had sheep when I was a little girl, but I had not yet discovered the wonder of goats, so I was not impressed. I don't think it's the same anyway. Sheep are just not sassy. We use sheep as examples of people who don't think for themselves. It has to be a goat.

Once again, it started in France. I went to the zoo in Amnéville, one of the best zoos in France. Was I impressed by their wonderful meerkat exhibit or their American exhibit complete with prairie dogs? No...it was the goats. I'm not sure why, but I think that was the first time I had seen a pygmy goat. It was love at first sight. I picked out a name for my future goat...Fernand. That was the name of my mailman, but I thought it better suited a goat.

The French word for goat is chèvre. Now, don't be confused. If you go out to eat in a French restaurant, they mention chèvre a lot. They are referring to goat cheese. They call it chèvre, too. Don't ask me why. I don't know. So if you order a salade de chèvre chaud it's going to have goat cheese on it , usually with little toasted pieces of French bread underneath. Sometimes they...but I digress.

I have since discovered that in Morocco the farmers let their goats climb trees. Not just any tree, but a relative of the olive tree. The goats, it seems, love to eat the fruit. I think the farmers let them do it because it's hard to lose your goats when they're all up in a tree.

Here's a country store where they let the goats climb on the roof. It's called Goats on the Roof ...where there are goats...on the roof. I saw about 8 of them or so up there walking around. There's just some sort of crime scene tape around it. They must be good citizens because they don't try to cross the tape. They can even climb up on the little red house and then all the way to the little look-out tower there. Tourists love it. So do I.

They have devised an ingenious method to get you to spend money. They have little dispensers for oats that cost maybe 50 cents for a handful of them. You put the oats in the little can and then either turn a crank or ride a little bicycle that turns a chain and sends them up there. But more about that on another post...

I was admiring goats online the other day since my HOA won't let me have one when I came across an interesting article. It seems that in a particular city in the US, the Goat Justice League consisting of 100 members convinced the City Council to reclassify pygmy goats as small animals rather than farm animals. These little goats, up to 2 feet tall and weighing 50 to 100 pounds, must have a license, just like a cat or dog. They must be dehorned and the males must be neutered. Interestingly enough, you have to keep them in your own yard, but people may borrow them for grazing.

Now here's the kicker... That city was Seattle, Washington. Does anyone know someone who is sort of kooky and quirky who lives in Seattle who might keep a goat for me? Hmmmm.....*winks* Debbie

27 comments:

  1. Debbie I loved this post girl...and I tell you I have never seen goats in a tree before..Oh and you got to see Meerkats ?? Debbie I watch that show on TV all the time and when Flower gor killed I just cried like a baby..have you ever watched It?? Meerkat Manoor..it called Len and me never miss a one of them..Great post Debbie..sorry it took so long to get back to you today have bben gone to town...hugs and smiles Gloria

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  2. Debbie!!! What else do we have in common!!!??? OMG! I am always kidding my DH that I am bringing home a pygmy goat for my cats to play with. heehee (I have heard that they can be mean though.) I want one too! My friend raised regular ole' goats and makes and sells hand creams and soaps from chevres milk. Of course, that is my fave cheese but that's another blog post. LOL Let's start a cyber pygmy goat owner club. I will name mine Clementine. Clem and Fern - sitting in a tree.....

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  3. This was just the cutest post.. My girlfriend had Bart the goat for many years and he acted like an over grown pup.. I hope you can find someone to house a goat for you..
    hugs ~lynne~

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  4. Debbie, girl...you do amaze! Anyone who likes goats has got to be an interesting person!:-) I was born in GA, lived in GA my whole life and went to camp in the Clayton area when I was a kid...and I never knew about that Goats of the Roof place. What a hoot. Sounds like road trip time come spring...gotta go see that! :-) I can't wait to read what you blog about next! :-) Susan

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  5. Hi Debbie...you are an amazing lady...This was such a fun read. I have a blog you might want to visit: http://hiddenhavenhomestead.blogspot.com/
    the lady's name is Peggy & they raise goats...she makes soaps...anyway, she has her goats all dressed up for Christmas now. See ya later, ;-) Bo

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  6. Love your post on goats. I didn't know goats could climb trees either, or houses, or anything for that matter. Very appropriate tune playing as you view the goats too. Can't wait to read your next blog and I hope you find a place to keep your goat.
    Deb

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  7. Loved this post! And the music, so clever. I work with a girl who is a goat fanatic, I've got send her to your blog. Those pygmy goats are adorable. I knew that goats climbed like crazy, but I must admit I've never seen them in trees. And that little store, how fun. Can't wait to see what you come up with next. Kathy

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  8. Hi Debbie, Thanks for visiting me and you sweet comments,I've been busy but am getting close to being finished. I love your post. My father-in-law has lots of goats. Goats like to be up high. When we moved into this house, took Chase's swing set over there and put in where the goats are. It has steps and a little playhouse attached to it, The goats love it, we couldn't bear to bring it to our new house. Chase decided to leave it there for the goats. They climb up in it and slide down. It's so funny! They really are cute! Have a great weekend. Kristen

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  9. Sorry about all the punctuation errors, I did'nt proof read it!

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  10. Oh Debbie, I am so glad you decided to do a blog. It keeps me smiling. You are a very creative and thought provoking lady. I had never thought about the goats climbing. I know they do that in the mountain areas but in TREES? At first I thought it was a cyber joke until I read the caption, Amazing. I wish you could get a goat. If you do will you get a black and white one? my favorite color combo.Keep up the good work, you are a wonderful blogger. Gee has anyone ever called you a blogger or am I the first. Hehe. Smiles to you my friend, Kathysue

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  11. Debbie~ Just read the story about your DELIGHTFUL MOM over at Susan's, & had to come by! And am SOOO GLAD I DID! What a WONNNNDERFUL BLOG you have here, & I just wrote a note to myself to come back when I have time to reeeally sit back, relax n' enjoy reading & viewing everything!!! The goats are TOO PRECIOUS FOR WORDS, too~~~ what sweet lil' things!!! Does GOLLUM (Michael) know about this posting? (She HAS goats on their land, and they are DARLING!!!). This was heartwarming, as was the story about your beloved Mom n' family, and I sincerely THANK YOU! "I willll be baccckkkk!"~~~ Linda (no "blog"~ just RMS "Mom of a German Shorthair")...

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  12. Debbie, what a great story and what fun pictures. I'm with everyone else, I didn't know goats could climb trees. I love the picture of the pigmy goats, how adorable are they. Makes me want one, well almost. lol Thanks for the smiles. Marty

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  13. This IS a startling confession! I am amazed by the goats in the tree! I've never seen anything like that. At first I thought that pic and the goats on the roof were fake goats. I can't wait for "winks" to come tell you she'll keep a goat for you! laurie

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  14. OH DEB,WHAT A FUN POST.I LOVED IT.I ALSO ADORE GOATS.MY HUSBAND ALSO WANTED A GOAT WHEN WE MOVED OUT HERE TO THE COUNTRY.WE HAD PLANNED TO HOUSE BREAK IT AND LET IT BE LIKE A PUPPY.
    WELL,IT LUST NEVER HAPPENED.I KNEW GOATS CLIMBED,BUT NOT TREES.HOW COOL.
    YOU ARE SUCH A UNIQUE PERSON.I DO SO ENJOY YOUR BLOGS AND YOUR PERSONALITY...ANN

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  15. Debbie how cute are they? Awww. I love all animals so I know I would like them too. The Sound of Music is one of my all time favorites! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.~Melissa :)

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  16. Well, I really don't know much about goats but I do have a cute story. Many years ago when my son was a 2 year old I took him to a "petting zoo" where they kept little farm animals for the toddlers to feed and pet. Well, one of the little goats decided it was time to do his "business". All of the little 2 year olds formed a circle around this little goat, and all of the Moms formed a circle behind their children. The children were fascinated at just stared at the goat doing his pooping. Well, when the goat finished my son quite loudly said "Mom, aren't you going to wipe his butt?". All the Moms just laughed....that's mostly what Moms are good for when you are a two year old.

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  17. Hi Debbie! You are too cute1 I could fall for a cute goat too, I love animals! the brown and white one in your last pic even has a smile!! CHEERS! Michele

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  18. Since you hail from Georgia, I wondered if you ever had the "pleasure" of meeting the Goat Man. His base of operations was Jeffersonville, Georgia. Here is a link you might enjoy.

    http://www.thegoatman.com/story.htm

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  19. Hi Glenda...I never met the goat man, but I do remember seeing him along the side of the road. I was a little girl and my family was on the way to Florida for our vacation. Everyone knew about him. Isn't that funny? Did you meet him? Debbie

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  20. What wonderful pictures. I love goats! Too funny!

    I found your blog from a link on another one, and I really have enjoyed reading here.

    Thanks for all the great pictures.

    Sheila :-)

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  21. I have a dwarf goat that is in labor at the moment if you want to bottle feed a baby. LOL They are beautiful and sweet but Nubian are still my favorite as far as personalities go.

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  22. Well now I WANT a pygmy goat!! How adorable!! I collect sheep figures...don't really know why?...Just one of those things..But now I find myself wanting a goat!! And it's all your fault! And since I live outside of Seattle...I could have one too!! *winks* You're dangerous my friend...dangerous! Vanna

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  23. Ahh...Vanna....I was hoping you would keep MY goat! Debbie

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  24. Debbie girl I see your like me up late!!! don't you love my elfs?? Hope they get it all done...thanks for coming by..Hugs and smiles Gloria

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  25. Debbie, what we find out about each other in Blogland! :) I like to look at goats as I haven't had much dealings in the flesh with them. But I do love that goat cheese!! Now those little baby goats are the most precious little things. I hope you get your goat!! That didn't sound right, did it?
    Thanks for the birthday wishes!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  26. He came to the outskirts of Griffin when I was about 10 years old. I did see him up close and personal, so to speak. We did speak with him if I remember correctly. My brother made a good many pictures of him and his goats. Brother is gone now, but his daughter probably still has the pictures. They lived in Jeffersonville when she (my niece) was about two years old, but most likely doesn't remember him, though I'm sure she heard her Dad talk about him. My brother was very proud of his pictures.

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  27. Debbie, thanks for stopping by to see my christmas decorating, I really appreciate it! I'll have more pics soon. Kristen

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie