Monthly Archives: August 2015

We’re in Business!

August 25, 2015UncategorizedNan Hassey

Today was bittersweet, for three of our beautiful packgoat prospects went to a new home. It is exhilarating to finally come full circle and sell our first goats when all we’ve done to this point is buy and breed. But it was also sad to say goodbye. I’ll miss the playful, romping babies, Sledge and Hammer. Tigerlily misses them too, and Jezebel spent all afternoon softly crying for them because she’s not sure what she’s going to do now that her kid has no playmates. Nubbin is taking it in stride.

I’m going to especially miss Snickers. He’s been sweet, gentle, and easy-going since he first came into this world, and he may well be the best prospect among our three 2014 boys because of his good and willing attitude. I am going to miss his gentle eyes and unassuming nature. I am so happy that Phil and I took him hiking with us yesterday. We had no idea it would be the last time, and we got some fun pictures.

I know this is Colorado, but no, we’re not sharing a joint! I put a cookie in my lips to see if he would “kiss” me. Yes, he certainly did!

The nice couple who bought the goats originally only called about Sledge and Hammer, and they were thinking they would only buy one. But they fell in love with all three and couldn’t decide between them, so they bought the lot. I wish the new owners all the best as they start their new adventures in goat packing! And maybe we’ll even see our boys on the trail in the coming years since the couple lives on the other side of our own mountain range.

The Trail Clearing Project, or Can Pac-Man Pack?

August 18, 2015UncategorizedNan Hassey

Last Friday, Phil and I loaded Pac-Man down with a chainsaw and headed for the woods! There’s an old trail long overgrown that a friend and I like to ride horses on, but the deadfall has made it almost unnavigable. This was Pac-Man’s first time out with a real load on his back (not much more than 20 lbs., but for a big pasture-potato like him it was a big deal).

Finn came along too just for fun and because I want him to get used to the sound of the chainsaw.

Phil and the boys trimmed the overgrown saplings–they’re very good at it.

Pac-Man, King of the Woods.

Pac-Man is a perpetual wide load, but he’s not used to being this wide and he regularly bashed his pack on trees, rocks, Finn, Phil and myself. He often got startled when the packs would scrape on something and he would bolt into something else and go like a pinball until he ran into me or Phil. Hopefully he’ll figure it out one of these days.

Mmm… tasty shirt snack!

“What do I do now?”

Pac-Man is not a very athletic animal, and he managed to get himself high-centered over this log at the end of our trip. He stood there and mourned pitifully until I removed his pack so he could heave himself over. He’s a big, strong boy but he’ll never be a great packgoat. Carting, yes. Packing, no.

Nevertheless, whether he likes it or not he’s going to learn how to pack well enough for easy excursions like this one. No excuse for a goat who can’t even manage a day hike! On the plus side, he’s a huge people-pleaser and will do what I ask for no reason other than because I asked him. He’s a good boy about stuff even if it’s not his forte. I’m going to have to acclimate him to the noise of the chainsaw too. Twice I had to chase him down and bring him back because I forgot to tie him up or have Phil hold him. I forget what it’s like to deal with an untrained young goat and I must remind myself about the time Cuzco broke a chain and bolted off into the blue the time my dad started a weed whacker on the other side of the yard. After many years of working with a trained goat, it’s easy to forget that they don’t come that way out of the box. Tongue