A Little Cottage in the Country

The little rascal hasn't been on for a while due to one thing and another. I'd like to say he's got better behaved in the interim but sadly that's not the case. He still thinks he's King of everything, and needs to keep the sheep in line. I try to reward him for standing on his platform, where he's out of the way and can't cause mischief, but he seems to have learned to jump up and get a treat, then jump off and butt sheep. The little blighter is always one step ahead of me, don't be fooled by the angelic face!

Okay this was going to be a Merv on Monday post but I ran out of time yesterday! Merv has been having the world's longest moult - he's been itchy and cross for months as his winter fluff has been shedding out. I guess the variable temperatures really haven't helped matters. He's also been going alarmingly blonde, causing me to ponder the question do goats get like their owners or do owners get like their goats? Well I was blonde way before him. Thankfully a lot of his coat has now shed although he's retained a blonde gruff and also what looks like 70's style shaggy chaps on his back legs. I have told him he looks like he's auditioning for a spot in a Village People tribute act, I half expect him to burst into a rendition of YMCA when I go down there! Quite whether these creations will stay or not only time will tell, we're all just relieved he's not as cross and itchy as he has been. He still enjoys a side helping of my pocket at teatime t...

This is Merv, he's supposed to be a pygmy goat but I think he's actually a pygmy cross as he's smaller than a standard goat but much bigger than you'd expect a pygmy to be. I have to say his attitude is far bigger than he is! He's currently going through the terrible twos as in goat years he's the equivalent of a stroppy teenager. I think we're all hoping that does calm down because he can be a lot to handle at times. Even though he's castrated he still wants to be boss, much to the annoyance of the sheep. As you can see he has no problem finding trouble, and if he can't find it he'll create it. I'm typing this one handed as he managed to somehow get my wrist caught between his horns this morning as I was putting down a feed bowl. One of the things I love about goats is their playful sense of curiosity but that can be challenging too.  Merv doesn't have to stay in the field if he doesn't want to, he can easily get out, he's...