Meet the herd
Please join us in welcoming the two newest members of the Goat Patrol! These two fine fellows joined us in November after a stint in the Durham animal shelter. They wasted no time fitting in with the rest of the herd and they can't wait to start their new job. Welcome Buster and Magnus!
Buster is a young boer who is big enough to throw his weight around the pasture, but too goofy to really mean it. He is slowly learning that bullying doesn't work on a goatherd but sweetness has its rewards. We are sure Buster will be a real crowd pleaser on patrol.
Magnus von Magnusson, Magnus to his friends, is a two year old pygmy. He loves being part of the herd and fits in well with the other goats. We don't know what happened to Magnus before he wound up at APS, but we can tell it impacted his trust of people. We are giving him plenty of time and space to grow comfortable. We fully expect Magnus to become as confident with people as he is with the other goats.
Rosa is one of our most popular does. She was bottle raised and consequently has a close relationship with people. She always wants to know what you are up to and can usually be found under foot. Rosa responds well to her name, and is the first to come running when we arrive at the pasture.
Genghis is a true individual with a lot of personality. He is always plotting ways to get into the feed room, and we suspect he was the mastermind behind the one successful raid. Genghis enjoys meeting new people and pleasant conversation. He also knows how to keep a secret.
Sweetie has mellowed in the past year and is less of a ringleader than she used to be. She will approach any newcomer to the goat yard, hoping for a hand out. Honeysuckle and sweetgum are two of her favorite things, followed closely by orange peels. Sweetie is a real charmer to be sure.
Franco is a handsome fellow dressed in formal black and white right down to his spats. Franco has emerged as a contender for top goat and has been challenging all the other goats to increase his status. He has also developed a close friendship with Mr. Pickles, causing us to suspect a kinship between the two.
Eleanor's huge pendulous ears give her a classic old goat look despite her young age. Eleanor is a gentle and sometimes nervous doe who is most comfortable following the rest of the herd. She spends a lot of time with Nimoy, and tries to avoid trouble.
Nimoy is a cute and shaggy fellow who is starting to develop confidence to match his growing size. He no longer hangs back unless it is to see where the next bale of hay is going. Nimoy still has the eyebrows that inspired his name, but his blond surfer mohawk is really his best feature.
Priscilla is a princess with an attitude. She may be small, but she is not shy about claiming her place in the herd. Priscilla is always tidy and clean with only a faint tea colored patch on one side to interrupt her pretty white coat.
Sigmund is our most dependable and hardworking goat. He is always the first one in the trailer in the morning and the last one to stop working at night. Sigmund may not show a lot of affection, but he does his job and does it well. When it's time to take a nap, Sigmund snuggles up with Sugar.
Olive most closely resembles a Disney depiction of a goat with her dramatically drawn eyes and dainty posture. She is a feminine and gentle little doe. Olive now happily eats from our hands, but she does not seek out attention from people.
Butch's crooked ear and mohawk give him a distinctive appearance. Butch was the quiet and confident leader of the herd until Buster came along. He is neither shy nor aggressive, but he is aware of his size and knows how to use it if pushed. He is more cunning than Buster and might reclaim his throne once he catches up in size.
Sugar wins the award for most improved attitude. She used to be a rebel who took no guff. Now she is affectionate and pleasant to be around. She is still a bit of a bully to the other goats, but that's just how she gets respect.
Elkie is one of our favorite goats. He is a tough and stocky wether who takes himself seriously but comes across as a real clown. What is it about this goat that always makes us smile? The crooked ears? The oversized head? Or is it the way he storms into every situation on his stumpy little legs? Whatever it is, we just love him. The other goats don't pay much attention to Elkie. This suits him just fine.
Rhoda is a strong and shiny beauty. Her fluffy winter coat is as soft and plush as a teddy bear. When it comes to saplings, Rhoda is the queen of the takedown. She can often be seen straddling a small sweetgum or scrub oak while the rest of the herd makes quick work of the leaves. Her only failing is her "grass is greener" philosophy when it comes to the fence.
Mr. Pickles used to be a sour gherkin but he is getting sweeter every day.