The Day I Became a Goat Mom

The last few months have been a little different than I expected. I think things are starting to slow down a little.

If you would have asked me in January, I never would have guessed how much my daily routine was about to change.

The past few months have involved bottle feedings, diapers, baby goats in the house, and learning a whole new rhythm of life.

A Different Kind of Life

Most weekends this winter, I have been making the drive out to Chris’s place.

Chris lives on acreage with his two dogs, Ellie and Ranger, and a few goats — a whole way of life that is very different from the one I grew up around.

Ellie, a German Shepherd, and Ranger, a Mastiff/Pyrenees mix, are always nearby, ready to investigate whatever is happening.

I still have my job. I still have my house. I still have my own routines in the city. But lately, I keep finding reasons to be out here instead.

There is something peaceful about this place. The open space, the animals, and the slower pace are all things I am still learning to appreciate.

I never expected that spending time in the country would become such a big part of my life.

And then came the goats.

The Call

On February 16th, everything changed a little more than usual.

It was one of the coldest stretches of the winter, and several of Chris’ goats had kids! Within just a few days, two mama goats had triplets and two others had twins — eight babies needing attention.

One mama goat and one of her babies didn’t make it, leaving us with two tiny newborn goats that needed around-the-clock care.

Talk about adapting to changing circumstances.

It was a reminder that raising animals isn’t just about the cute moments. Sometimes you do everything you can, and things still don’t go the way you hope.

But the babies who were still here needed us.

So we got to work.

Goats and Diapers

What has followed has been one of those seasons of life that you can never really plan for.

Bottle feedings. Diapers. A couch that suddenly has baby goats on it more often than not.

At first, everything felt a little chaotic – figuring out schedules, feedings, and what these little babies needed.

I spent more afternoons sitting on the floor than I ever expected, feeding goats and trying to keep everyone happy.

Bandit was also trying to figure out what exactly was happening. The same dog who was used to being the center of attention now had these tiny, strange creatures showing up everywhere.

And somehow, he adapted.

Maybe not immediately. But he adapted.

The strange thing is, what felt completely chaotic at first is slowly starting to become normal.

The days started to develop their own rhythm.

Feedings. Cleaning. Checking on babies.

Making sure everyone was warm.

There were goats in sweaters. Goats in diapers.

Goats sleeping in bins. And somehow, this has all started feeling normal.

Chris joked that he never imagined he would have goats and diapers in his house.

Honestly? I don’t think I imagined it either.

But here we are.

The funny thing about life is that it doesn’t always happen the way you picture it.

Sometimes it isn’t a carefully planned road trip or a big adventure.

Sometimes it is simply responding to what needs done.

And right now, these goats needed us.

Bandit Had His Own Opinion

One of the things that surprised me most through all of this has been watching Bandit adjust.

When we first started spending more time at Chris’s, I assumed he would be ready to head home with me when it was time to leave.

After all, the city was home. That was where our normal routine was.

But lately, I have started to notice something. Bandit doesn’t always want to leave.

When it’s time to head back to the city, he seems perfectly happy staying at the farm — sometimes even refusing to get in the Jeep.

Out here, he has his favorite spots.

He has acreage to explore. He has new friends.

The funny thing is, if Ellie is coming with us, he is ready to go.

But without Ellie, he seems completely content staying behind.

I never expected my dog to be the one questioning whether we should leave.

The Goats Came Home With Me

Eventually, some of the goats have started coming home with me to the city.

Yes, you read that right. Baby goats were now part of my city life.

It’s a strange combination.

My normal house. My normal routine.

And a baby goat wearing a sweater and diaper walking around.

But again, we’ve adjusted. The goats need care, and we’ve figured out how to make it work.

I have found myself living between two very different worlds.

One is the life I have always known.

The other is this new country life I feel like I am slowly becoming part of.

Right Now

I still don’t know exactly where all of this is headed.

I still have my house in the city, my job, and my own routines.

But somewhere between bottle feedings, goat diapers, and a dog who doesn’t want to leave, life is starting to look a little different.

For now, there are goats in the house, dogs learning to share their space, and a whole new world I am getting to experience.

I don’t know exactly where this road leads.

But this new kind of adventure? I’m enjoying this one too.