Pygmy Goats

The children have been asking for about the last year or so if we can get pygmy goats. Initially we defaulted to the automated response, 'no, they eat everything, are always escaping and besides we have more  than enough to do already'. However a few times over that period Justin and I have had the odd 'what if ' conversation and the idea has insidiously become more plausible over time. We love the way the children care for the dogs, chickens and gerbils and the sense of responsibility they have towards them. Anna, Beth and even Caitlin will go out whatever the weather to see to the chickens and leave whatever it is they are in the middle of if there is an issue with any of the animals. We love the work ethic it instills in them too. However much work the animals are, and there have been many times with a new puppy when we have wondered what we've taken on, the pay back is huge. Caring for animals has taught the children so much and the animals themselves give so much back, especially the dogs. Therefore we were in a more responsive frame of mind when the next request came. Anna had entered a photo of Amber into a photo calendar competition with James Wellbeloved in the uk. Amber's photo was one of the 12 chosen and as a prize we are to receive 12 months supply of dog food. The children then reasoned that they had 'created' a resource to set up pygmy goats, all that would be required on our part would be a donation of Justin's tool shed as their home ('we do have the garage for tools Daddy') and some fencing. Anna and Beth then did a power point presentation outlining all the benefits of pygmy goats and how well they would fit in with our family.

We therefore found ourselves last Wednesday visiting a farm in Carlow where they breed pygmy goats. After having had a couple of in-depth discussions with goat breeders we had agreed that we would look at taking on 1 female and 2 wethers ( neutered males), with each to be 'owned' by two children. The children paired up and decided that the goats would be called Harry, Ron and Hermione as Harry Potter is a popular theme in our house at the minute. Having spent a little whille with the goats, who were all very sweet, Hermione and Harry were picked out. Ron was more tricky though as both Caitlin and Eoin felt they had found him. When it was pointed out to Eoin that the goat Caitlin was holding looked more like a 'Ron' as he had ginger hair Eoin explained that the goat he was holding was more like Ron in character! After a little negotiation it was therefore decided that Caitlin would share Ron with Daddy and Eoin's would be Neville who he would share with me!  

This is Harry, to be shared between Beth and Tiarnan.

'Ron', 

Neville

Hermione

As the three boys are only 4 weeks old they will remain with their mothers for another 4 weeks and then we can bring them home. This gives us 4 weeks to set up home for them!