Working Goats

I've recently realized I've been avoiding this blog. Without going too much into it, I'll just say I was contacted by someone who used to read it, and who used my willingness to open up here in a way that really hurt me, and it honestly scared me away from the blog for a bit.

The thing is, though, life is really too short to let bad people have any kind of power over you.

So, moving on.

This past weekend, I worked goats. Well, I helped to work goats. What does that mean? Well, first, you have to be on a farm that has goats. Fortunately for the verity of this blog post, I was. Then, you go out into the pastures with your worming medicine and hoof clippers. Don't forget your Actual Shepherds Who Know What They're Doing. They are indispensable, and I do not recommend working goats without at least one. I, fortunately, had two. Actually, there were three, but one was in charge of photography.

Once you're out with the animals, kind of hang out a bit and play with the pigs and puppies while the Actual Shepherds do most of the work. I was REALLY good at this part.

After a while of this, you may find that either you're bored, the puppies are sleeping, or what the Actual Shepherds are doing looks kinda fun. This is when you jump on in, grab that massive syringe type thing, fill it with some medicine, and do your part to protect the kids from worms.

Pay attention here, because this skill will come in handy if your dog ever develops an aggravated kennel cough and you need the cojones to stick a big plastic syringe down her throat to administer esophagus-soothing medicine every morning and night the way I do, but that's a different story.

Once you've wormed all the baby goats, it's time to trim some hooves! This is one of those rare and special activities in life that is at once absolutely disgusting and yet totally satisfying. Don't be afraid, just don't trim too deep in the center part.

Be sure to stretch first, this activity can be murder on the hamstrings.

See that other woman there? That's Erin. She's one of the Actual Shepherds. Seriously, this chick is all out capable. She pretty much kicks ass.

Once you're done with a long, hard day of doing about 5% of the actual work, it's time to reward yourself with some sweet goat love. This is Jack. He looooves me. :)