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PORCHLIGHT CONVERSATION
Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh at the Goats!
Friday morning, I was driving down SR 13 on my way to work when I spotted something that made me do a double take.
GOATS!
Not just one or two, either. A whole bunch of them! A couple were standing up on their hind legs against the fence, looking like they were checking out the neighborhood.
I thought I was seeing things!
Later that afternoon, I drove past again, and one of those little characters was perched up on something, surveying the world like he owned the place.
Well, naturally, I had to investigate.
It turns out the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation has brought in a herd of goats to help clear invasive vegetation near the Ruddell Pavilion. They’re nature’s own little landscaping crew, happily munching away at plants that need to go.
What a clever way to help care for our local environment!
Now, I happen to have a little history with goats. And one particular billy goat and I had a rather memorable encounter.
Years ago, when I was working as a real estate appraiser trainee with my mother, we were inspecting a farm. Mom handled gathering and verifying the property information, and I was responsible for the photographs.
We had finished the house and driven down to the barn so I could photograph it. My mother and stepdad stayed in the car while I went to investigate.
The barn door was open, and there was enough light inside to get some pictures.
And there he stood.
The cutest little billy goat!
He had a rope hanging from his neck, so naturally, I assumed he was tied up.
I started talking to him.
You know, the way you talk to an adorable animal.
He took a couple of steps toward me.
I kept talking.
He took a few more steps.
And that’s when I noticed something rather important.
HE WAS DRAGGING THE ROPE BEHIND HIM.
It wasn’t tied to a darn thing!
Now, this little fellow had some pretty impressive curved horns, and I was beginning to reconsider my decision to make friends.
But I also knew better than to turn and run. I could just picture myself falling flat on my face with a billy goat standing over me!
So I kept talking calmly while slowly trying to make my way back toward the car.
He kept coming.
Then he lowered his head.
Oh, crap.
This was it.
But instead of charging me, he gently pressed his head against my stomach and started walking.
And walking.
And WALKING.
That billy goat escorted me all the way back to my car!
When we got there, I thanked him for his assistance.
He turned around and went right back to the barn.
And I climbed into the car to find my mother and stepdad absolutely beside themselves laughing.
Especially my stepdad. If you knew Jerry, I am sure you can hear that rotten giggle right now too!
I looked at the two of them and said, “There were TWO of you sitting here, and neither one of you did a darn thing to help me!”
Apparently, they thought the whole thing was hilarious.
Looking back, I have to admit, it was.
So when I spotted those goats along SR 13 Friday morning, I couldn’t help but smile.
And I learned something about an organization I’ve driven past countless times but haven’t really taken the time to explore.
The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation does important work protecting our local lakes and watershed, and sometimes it takes a herd of adorable goats to get people curious about what’s happening right in their own backyard.
If you get a chance, take a look at what they’re doing. Here’s the story about their newest four-legged employees:
And if you see those goats along SR 13, give them a little wave from me.
I’ll be admiring them from the other side of the fence. I’ve already been escorted off one property by a billy goat, and once was quite enough!
