Getting to know you, getting to know me…

Day 1: My little goat, still nameless, otherwise known as “goat” or “Mademoiselle” and sometimes “Bacaroni” (goat in Dioula) has finally come home! Boris had to carry her to our house as she is not yet used to the idea of a leash (rope) and went a little crazy when we put it on her. She is now old enough to leave her mom and grow up to be her own mom one day. She is a little lonely and freaked out right now, as she is used to being with many other goats and sheep. She doesn't know us and she was alone outside last night which I think made her panic a bit, so she screamed all night! I have to admit that it breaks my heart seeing her panic especially when she hears another goat outside the courtyard and her eyes start to bulge and her ears prick up and she starts to scream to talk to them. Hopefully soon she will adapt to her new surroundings and new family and relax a little.

Day 2: I kind of feel like we completely skipped the whole baby part of the goat and have been thrown a very curious, stubborn and mischievous toddler that is still not house trained! I am trying to train her to go on a cardboard “litterbox” as presently I sweep the floor multiple times a day; as man does she ever poop! No matter what, she is by far the best fed goat in town, she has tones of food (dried peanut plants) and vegetable scraps.

Today for lunch both Boris and I went home to check on her (yes we are the worried parents). When I got there I could hear her screaming from outside, but as soon as she saw me she calmed right down. She obviously does not like to be alone! We took her leash off and let her roam around the courtyard. She was into everything, so curious and nosy. She is starting to understand that we = food so is warming up to us a little though she is still not completely calm. But we can see a definite improvement in our relationship in just one day!

Day 3: She slept through most of the night, which meant we got to sleep as well. She is starting to adjust which is good. In the mornings when we open the door she is there waging her little tail all excited that we are up. A friend brought over cotton seed tonight for her and she dove straight in it. She rubbed her face all over the cotton and started to eat like crazy. While her mouth was chowing down on the cotton her tail was constantly waging with excitement. It was pretty hilarious.

Day 4: Goat started daycare today. In the morning she is brought to a neighbour’s house that has a whole menagerie of animals from chickens to cows. She is going to spend her days there and come home in the evenings. At least this way she won’t be bored or alone. She now lets us pet here and will take food from our hand, though she is still a little cautious. She is adapting to the idea of a leash, though would still bolt if it came off. She is very curious and social. If we are in the house she pops her head in to see what we are doing. When we are cooking she watches from the door tilting her head from side to side and sniffing with her nose.

Day 5: Goat is really starting to feel at home. This morning when Boris left for work and I was in the shower I could hear her start to scream. When I came out she calmed down. Then when I left for work she started to scream again. I guess she doesn’t take too long to adjust to the idea of new parents. She is also putting on weight as she never stops eating. For the first time she doesn’t have to fight with other animals to eat and now she is becoming a real glutton. I also think that this little box thing is working, though Boris is still not convinced.