My husband looked out at the barn this morning. He said the mule was acting weird. The mule was standing in the barn door and not allowing the goat herd inside.

When I got down there, Baby Goat was standing over a little wet newborn. We knew she was pregnant, but we had no idea she was that close. The mule was hovering over them and keeping an eye on the door. If another goat tried to come in, the mule snapped his teeth and stomped his hooves.

Baby Goat is special. We had four little bottle-baby Nubians at once a while back. We bottle-fed them and rocked them and let them watch tv. Three of the little ones died. A friend with a goat dairy said they hadn't gotten colostrum when they were born.

Baby Goat, the only survivor, never bonded with the other goats. They laughed and called her names. They never invited her to play goaty games. She barged into the house to complain about them on a regular basis.

Since she's such an oddball, we wondered if she would have a clue about raising her baby boy. She and boy are doing very well this evening. She's a little confused about where they should stay -- she thought we were moving her back into the house. The pair are in their own private (sort of, with a dozen hens huddled around them) barn with a load of hay to stay warm in.

One nice little story when the rest of the news has been so bad.

Happy New Year.

-- helen (mule@is.proud.uncle), December 31, 2004

Answers

Happy New Year, everyone!!

Thanks for sharing a happy story, Helen - we need all of them we can get!

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), January 01, 2005.

Goodluck with the little fellow Helen.

The rest of the news is too too sad.

-- Carol (c@oz.com), January 01, 2005.

Thanks Helen, I needed that a lot! A little more good news - Kit seems to be doing much better lately. He is more active, even trying to use a few words, and joining in the housekeeping and such. Most noticeable, he has become an eating machine! I changed his suppliments to a different vitamin, and ever since he has been eating almost entirely without my help, and devouring everything that doesn't get out of the way.

My brother moved in with us on Thanksgiving day. I love him and enjoy his company, but we have been absolutely glued together for five weeks, while he is searching for a job down here. I've found that I simply can't write with someone else hovering over my shoulder and I've been absent at our asylum, but have been lurking almost every day. I'm glad to see some old friends and all the regulars.

Kit and I go on the road again on Tuesday, so maybe my mind will have an opportunity to reset and I'll be able to write again.

-- Lon (lgal@exp.net), January 01, 2005.

What a great start to the new year, Helen, and the news from Lon about Kit improving makes it even better!

This place for friends, new and old, is a treasure.

To all here . . .

New Year Wish At the sound of the tolling midnight bell a brand new year will begin. Let's raise our hopes in a confidant toast to the promise it ushers in. May your battles be few, your pleasures many, your wishes and dreams fulfilled. May your confidence stand in the face of loss and give you the strength to rebuild. May peace of heart fill all your days, may serenity grace your soul. May tranquil moments bless your life and keep your spirit whole.

-- Brooke (Happiness@Hill.top), January 01, 2005.

Happy New Year, FRLians!

(((KIT!)))

Be careful on the road, Lon.

-- helen (mule@sends.his.best), January 01, 2005.

What a lovely verse Brooke. Best wishes to you and yours for 2005. At least you're out of snake season now.

Thanks to Lon also for the very nice update on Kit. He sounds happy. As a mother I've always taken a healthy appetite as a good sign. Hope the trip provides inspiration.

-- Carol (c@oz.com), January 03, 2005.

Happy New Year to all!

Several bits of good news... so glad to hear them.

((((((((((FRLians))))))))))

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), January 03, 2005.

So, the, uhm, mule, had a baby goat, eh?

Hmmmmn.

How stubborn will the new baby be?

-- Robert & Jean Cook (somwherein@GA.com), January 05, 2005.