William Edward Goat

William Edward Goat has been a part of the family since 2003. In a rural attempt at a weed-eater, I begged Ryan to let me have a goat. His purpose was to eat the weeds in the fence line as we were newly married and didn't have the time or money for a weed wacker. William Edward Goat, and to those who knew him well Bill E. Goat, had a wonderful personality and in more ways than one became dear to our hearts. When Ryan strung the hot wire fence and Bill E. chewed on it and his mouth turned black, my heart ached for him. It wasn't long that we figured out he was too stupid to fear the electric fence and we had to tie him up. Before long, I felt sorry for our precious little goat and would take him for walks. The stubborn animal would try to pull me all over so we put on a gentle leader leash and I was back in control as we walked/jogged the lane. And then, someone had the bright idea to put Bill E. on zip line so he could rotationally grazed the pasture. Ryan has spent many hours untangling, fixing and tightening the line. The goat has proved to be an important part of the composting process in the pasture. Some winters the goat has spent up close the the house, others in the barn and some out in the pasture. With his daily ration of hay and water, this time of year he stays happy in his little goat house. Until recently. Thursday night, he was making noise when I got home. I said "hi" to him and went in the house. Friday morning when Ryan went out to feed him, he was gone. Well, not really gone, but dead. William lay frozen solid with his head sticking out of his house.

Not sure what happened to our little buddy. But he was not around to make noise anymore. I've been so thankful that Ryan took on the goat chores this winter so I could keep my butt in the warm house. However, as of Friday, I wish that I'd been on goat duty so maybe, just maybe he'd still be alive. Scott will miss him this spring and summer.

My dear william, I'm sorry that I didn't get you over to Gail's barn so you could play with the donkey and horses. I'm sorry that you for some unknown reason, didn't stay alive. You made it through the cold part of the winter and as it finally warmed up, you are gone. May you rest in peace as you were taken down the hill across the fence where the birds can feast on you!

*we've not had the best of luck with our animals this year. Mocha was hit by a car, we gave Keller away and now William is gone. DJ the dog has sores on his body and the vet has started him on antibiotics. Cats, beware.