Cole's New Job
The other day, Ellen and I were going out on a trail ride in the morning. The barn goats were out. Before coming to this barn, I had very little exposure to goats. I now think they are awesome creatures. There are 4 of them--Percy, Billy, Ernie and Spider. I look forward to Saturday mornings when they turn the Goat Boys loose while they are cleaning the stalls.
Cole has always been fascinated by the goats. He just can't take his eyes off them, and he tries to go to them all the time. Of course, I don't let him, but that doesn't stop him from asking me each time he sees them when they are out.
Ellen and I walked out horses down the barn driveway to the street. A little way down the street is the house that the barn owner lives in--and there were the 4 goats in her front yard! We yelled back to the barn that the goats were in the yard. They don't want them so close to the street for obvious reasons.
We started down the street, and Percy started walking down the house's driveway. We yelled at him, but he kept getting closer and closer to the street. Visions of disaster filled my head. I knew what had to be done--I have been watching "1883" on TV. It is filled with horses herding cattle. We had to intercept Percy and turn him back towards home.
I pointed Cole to the spot where I thought Percy would be when our paths would cross, and we went at a very fast walk in that direction. (I didn't want to run on the pavement--and I didn't want to startle Percy and cause him to bolt across the road into the yards on the other side.) I was glad to see the other goats were happy grazing in the front yard and weren't trying to follow Percy.
By now, Percy was up to the center line on the street!
Cole's ears went forward and walked with much enthusiasm. He finally got to do what he wanted to do all along. He was allowed to herd a goat! Not for one moment did he hesitate--he knew what his job was, and he was going to do it--at a very fast walk.
Once we intercepted Percy, Cole turned him without my guidance and followed him until he reached the driveway.
At that moment, the goats' owner came flying down the driveway, shouting at the goats. I think I heard some four-lettered words. She gathered up the goats. Once they were on the correct side of the 4-wheeler, she started to push them down the driveway in the right direction. Ernie looked like he was going to break free and make a run for it. Cole was standing at the end of the driveway just waiting for him to try. No goats were going to pass him.
Was it my imagination? It seemed like Cole stepped a little lighter and carried his head a little higher the rest of the ride. He seemed rather proud of himself. He is now an official goat wrangler. Goat Boys, beware. No wandering towards the street on Cole's watch!
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