I grew up on a goat farm in Talladega, AL for part of my childhood and so have a special place in my heart for goats. They're funny little clownish animals that can turn any frown upside down despite smelling like a billy goat. And man were there a lot of them there. Here are a few pictures we took on our adventure.
Although it doesn't look like it in this picture I promise you this is the largest goat I have ever seen. I didn't know goats got that big. This is a male Nubian. I'm five foot three and this goat was taller than me. and weighed a whopping 220 lbs. He was stunning and a pet as he let me play with him and scratch his head.
This is bad boy being auctioned off. He looked to me like he had problems with his joints and that it hurt to walk. I hope he gets his own private stable and has the females of the herd run in to see him. He looked too old to chase them down. He was nothing but a pet. He laid his big ol head on the shoulder of the guy handling him and waited peacefully for whatever came next. I sure wish I had him. He was truly a magnificent goat. NOTE: I love the make up of the people in the room. They were smoking cigarettes. chewing tobacco, wearing camouflage, and all men (and a few of the women had on caps....mostly John Deere). There were families there from grandpaw down to the newest great grand baby. Good hard working farming people. It was total immersion in the local culture. And it was fabulous! I must bring my city friends from places like New York, Connecticut, LA, San Fran and Canada to see one of these sometime.
Vietnamese Pot Belly Pigs
I've always wanted one of these. The cage was open on top so I reached in and played with them. My husband fell in love and wanted to bring both of them home with us. My daughter deemed them the Siamese pigs because they stuck together. They stood touching each other, walked with each other, turned with each other and did little piggy grunts and squeals with each other. If we'd had a place to put them they would be outside in my yard right now. We are working on a place and plan to go back in two weeks to see if we can find them or some like them.
Some goats of varying shapes and sizes.
Perhaps the most adorable puppies I've ever seen. The look like Jack Russell terriers. They begged and whined to come home with me and I was nearly persuaded. But what I really want is a female German Shepherd for my Snoot.
A few chickens.
A pretty little red calf.
