Sharing with you all

[jd4020]

First, I'd just like to say thank you to all of you who post & share your knowledge here.  I have raised goats for 33 years now & still, I have learned so much more by gleaning from your knowledge to better care for my wonderful goats. 
The most I have ever had at one time was 36.  That was mostly kids and I've only ever milked 6 girls at one time.  I showed when I first got my first one, an Alpine, Matilda by name.  Lovely girl of all brown, black stripe running along her shoulders & back & wattles.  Oh, I love wattles.
There have been others, Junie, Nola, Vista (she was a doe I drove to Poughkeepsie, New York to get) Molly, Cookie, Nubby--to name a few standouts.    I stopped showing after that first year though.  It's not the reason for wanting these creatures.   They have been good companions, & have fed my family.   I have always milked in a small shed.  I have dreamed of a milking parlor that was easy to clean & I could stand upright in without banging my head. 
Just last year that dream came true.  My Aunt was getting rid of her old camper and gave it to me.  After my dh moved it into place next to the goat barn, sheltered from the wind & I cleaned it up, it became my milk parlor.  The fridge holds my washing rags, teat dip, salves etc. and keeps them dust & rodent free.  There are no cats sitting around trying to get into the milk pail, no flys landing on the girls' legs making them stamp their feet (& getting into the milk pail), no cold wind blowing in.  I ran a cord in to plug in a heat lamp for light & a little heat for the winter.  It has worked splendidly!!!  So excited!!   And I can use the bathroom in there if I need to.  No matter what place I had to milk in, I always have enjoyed the swish, swish of the milk hitting the pail.  The warmth of the goats' body.  Their clean smell.  Now it is so much better for me & the two does I milk now.  Maebelle (the bossier one) & Annabelle (a sweet tempered lady) by name. 
These animals have enriched my life so very much; sometimes it seems needing goats is like needing air.  I thank God for creating them & my dh for putting up with my wanting to have them. 
I guess it sounds a bit silly, but I think you all understand.
Thank you, & thank you for letting me share. 

[shellymay]

jd4020,  Animals no matter what breed you raise fill a empty hole in a persons life that we just can't explain, like dogs our livestock that we care for and depend on us have so much to give back, I think the special ones feel our pain and sadness
and our happiness they seem to just know how we are feeling, so happy to hear that you have the trailer and enjoy your girls like most of us do. That was a great post and thank you for sharing your dreams (hugs).

[here to stay]

Of course you love it. It is amazing to me that there people who don't like goats. Strange sort, those.
I love my horses. Their beauty and grace fill my eyes.
But for sheer companionship and entertainment and trust, not beats a goat. It may be shallow of me but it still pleases my ego that the girls look to me for guidance. That they will put aside their fears of something and come with me as the leader of the herd when I go somewhere.
Dear creatures. Well mostly. There was this one buck.......

[shellymay]

here to stay, my post wasn't about goats as I am not a goatie, but I love my sheep just like folks who love their goats, I was referring to livestock in general, like chicken folks who love their chickens and so on and on!!!!!!

[here to stay]

Oh, dear. I should have been more clear. I was referencing the OP.
As I said, I love my horses but my goats are my buddies. Whether I come with food or not. Horse buddy-ness is generally more a matter of food, although I have one who is fairly curious. Now that I think of it, she is the one who gets bored and into trouble. But she is still not a buddy.

[jd4020]

I know what both of you meant. What kind of sheep do you have shellymay? I would have liked to have a few, for the wool, but that's the only animal my dh put his foot down about not having. He has been so very generous with all my other critters, I am content with his decision.
I love all of Gods' creatures, but the ones I have on our farm hold very special places in my heart. Not only are they my buddies, but they are my partners in living & working with each other. From the cows, to the dogs, cats & various fowl, they are all part of the web here.
My horses are quite up there beside my goats, probably a skosh above. They have such a beauty & grace.. From their manes and tails blowing in the breeze to the greedy way they eat their apple slices from our hands...oohhh, and the way that spot where their ears are fastened to their head---that is such a wonderful smell. When my hands are cold I put them under their manes to warm them. It's interesting to see who they decide they really like. For instance, both mares love me even if I don't have a treat. But one really, REALLY, adores my son. She follows him around like a big dog. Wants to stand right beside him if he stops.

[shellymay]

I have Katahdins, NO WOOL they have hair like a dog and shed so NO shearing, they are meat sheep!, funny how some of the animals pick their favorite HUMANS like we pick are favorite animals, your son must be the ONE for that horse    I use to have horses when I was young and flexible, these days I can't even bend without hearing a squeak LOL, so now we have a saying around our farm "we don't feed it if we can't eat it"   I know that wasn't very nice!!!!!!

[here to stay]

My next door neighbors say their sheep are katahdins but they have sort of pads of wool just on their backs. At least some of them do.

[mzgarden]

jd4020, thanks for sharing. Sometimes I come to this site to hear good news and you made my day. So much awfulness in the world - it was lovely to read your post. Good idea about the milking parlor, I would love to see pictures or your pals and your parlor.