This morning and out of nowhere Thomas flexed his considerable thigh muscles and leapt ( without any run up) his enclosure and parimeter fence. Strangely enough it was the highest of all of the fencing that surrounds the entire field and Graveyard, and once nailed, his new facination and skill for the high jump knew no bounds and the sudden escapes continued throughout the morning.
With a heavy heart and with numerous "I told You so's" ringing in my head, I bundled him back into the berlingo and took him back to his owner ( and to her 7 foot garden fences)..I cannot take the chance that he gets out onto the road....perhaps I was naive that my heightened fencing would contain him.....
No advice please!.........and no I told you so's.........I feel bad enough already
wow. didn't know that these guys (Thomas and his kindred) had such jumping ability. no "i told you so's" from me! good effort on your part.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry it didn't work out. You did your best and then some. Maybe if you REALLY want goats you could try the mini's. You already have the fencing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame John. I thought that he was meant to be with you guys. Short of moving to Guantanamo Bay... I'm not sure what the answer is!
ReplyDeleteHello John:
ReplyDeleteBetter to have run the race than to have won. Or some such sort of nonsense!
Oh dear, there is nothing to be said but, as has been remarked here, at least you tried!
I'm really sorry it didn't work out with Thomas.
ReplyDeleteI had a Soay sheep years ago with similar ability...it resented being in the paddock away from us and wanted to be near...or in...the house.
It had come from a childrens' zoo and was accustomed to attention.
The only thing that finally worked was a sort of stalag like installation of inward leaning angle of metal on top of the posts and more wire...it was a pig to set up and looked dreadful but it did defeat the sheep whose Fosbury flop technique couldn't cope with this.
I'm so sorry, John. Really. Can sheep jump? Maybe they would be the answer? Don't beat yourself up, you did your best.
ReplyDeleteOh bugger, what a shame. Couldn't you have just tethered him? xxx
ReplyDeleteYou need a fresh cup of coffee and a long comfy rest... some quiet time all to yourself, John. These are traumatic times. Be good to yourself!
ReplyDeleteIf you do want a goat, why not look for a minature one. here they are called chevre nain.
ReplyDeleteThen your high fence should keep him in. Also look for 2 females so they can keep each other company
Good luck
Sue
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOoh, dear Thomas you should have laid low, at least until John became accustomed to your tricks.
ReplyDeleteYou stepped on your John Thomas, ouch.
~Jo
Sorry it didn't work out, John. I suppose you didn't want to tether him on a long line?
ReplyDeleteWe are all so sorry about your not being able to keep Thomas. You did your best and your heart knows no bounds. Too bad the same can't be said for Thomas. He should have known when he had it good.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you can always visit.
How about a pygmy goat, their legs are shorter and should be less likely to jump a high fence.
We ALL told you so. Bloody goats.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you tried. Sorry it didn't work out though. I know it's hard to part with an animal like that.
ReplyDeleteTom
ReplyDeleteI took him with the understanding he would not be tethered.
hey ho
Point for Tom
ReplyDeleteHow sad! He seemed such an interesting addition to the family. But, before long, some other animal in dire need of a good home might come along and you never know what surprising breed it might be!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about Thomas today when my lady was giving me a snuggle.
ReplyDeleteIt would be wonderful if you could have a perimeter fence that is at least five feet high. If you are able to purchase "no climb" fence and have sturdy posts every eight feet or so. It looks as nice as a fence can and would also keep out foxies and also keep non-flying birdies in. And we goats can't stick our heads through.
Having another goatie or three (tee hee) would also help Thomas feel more ready to stay in.
Many goat kisses to you, John. Goats are worth the extra trouble! We are! xoxoxoxoxoxo
Uh oh. oops. I gave you advice when you didn't want any. Oh dear. Well, you know how opinionated we goats are! xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteAh John, I'm truly sorry.
ReplyDeleteisobel, the perimeter fence was 5 feet high lol
ReplyDeleteOh dear John, sorry to hear this. It wasn't meant to be. You did your best, that's all anyone can ask. Don't beat yourself up over it matey. Sue x
ReplyDeleteWe never know (no matter what advice we get) until we try. Sometimes we can make things work, and sometimes we can't. People who try have much richer lives than those who play it safe all the time, even if it means being sad occasionally. Wear your goat badge proudly.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. Thomas was just an explorer. Our Gimli was like that until he came here. I'm sorry Thomas couldn't stay. Maybe as others said you can find a couple of very teeeeeny goats. Still though if they are determined they will try to get out. Gimli is our smallest friend and he can leap a good six feet if he hooks his legs over the top! Kind of amazing.
ReplyDeleteHow about a couple of mini horses? Those are very nice (although NOT as nice as goats in my goatie opinion). xoxoxoxoxoxo
I'm sorry about that, John. You did your best for him.
ReplyDeleteI take it two sets of lead boots were not considered?
ReplyDeleteProbably for the best as once they get the hang of the escape there's no stopping them, its a battle of wits and just look at the glint in his eye you wouldn't have stood a chance!
Sorry for yourself and for Thomas! You have gained from the experience, that's something!
ReplyDelete:-(
ReplyDeleteI can only agree with the others...I hope Thomas finds another home with someone equally as kind and willing to give him a chance as you John....
ReplyDeleteAww John that's too bad....especially since you tried so hard. Maybe you'll get another one that's smaller and less likely to want to escape. All the best to you.
ReplyDeleteMaura :(
Years ago I had to return a dog I had adopted - I imagine you feel as down as I did then. You never know until you try. Better luck next time!!
ReplyDeleteNancy in Iowa (living with just one cat!)
Years ago I had to return a dog I had adopted - I imagine you feel as down as I did then. You never know until you try. Better luck next time!!
ReplyDeleteNancy in Iowa (living with just one cat!)
Too bad! Was so looking forward to the adventures.
ReplyDeleteNext.....
I would like to take Thomas's place. I am quite satisfied with a veggie diet (well I COULD be), I need a vaction, and I can only jump about 18 inches. Lay some clean straw down for me will ya ?
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry it did not work out.
ReplyDeletewell life is never dull around your place is it? Makes my life seem ever so boring......
ReplyDeleteGill in Canada
ahhh darn it anyway! I do have a couple adorable fainter kids with no jump and all sorts of style for you. Best thing about fainters...afraid of heights! My Fainter goats are the easiest of any animal to contain. The perks are the incredibly funny times that they choose to faint...always at the most unusual times. Quite the conversation piece I have to say! At least you gave it a good try! Don't let it sour your idea on a goat though...you just had a gazelle!
ReplyDeleteOh John, so sorry mate.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was just a lad but already had naive small-holding dreams I took a trip out to a local farm to acquire a duck as a pet and promptly told on my return that I should stop being so f**king silly by my parents and take the duck back.
I was heartbroken.
Why not get a pygmy goat? Don't they have shorter legs?
Oh phooey. I just caught up on the old posts. Sorry about Thomas, but goats will be goats. I know the fences at the Phoenix petting zoo were VeRy tall because those babies can not only jump, but scale a vertical incline. They are awefully needy critters too. Maybe a pigmy goat would be your cup of tea??
ReplyDeleteNo "I told you so" from me-- just sorry it didn't work out with Thomas.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to Mom L, i tried adopting another animal, a kitty; she clearly loved me and i her, but my other three cats let me know they did NOT want the interloper to stay. sigh.
megan
Sorry about Tom. By the way...I thought the same thing about the morel mushroom picture on my blog. There is a ladybug photo you may enjoy on there now.
ReplyDeleteWell pooy, I am sorry it didn't work out.
ReplyDeleteOnce, when we were hiking up in a remote area up in the mountains, the hubster and I saw wild mountain goats scaling a thousand foot cliff that an experienced rock climber would have hesitated to tackle. One was a mother with a young goat just behind her and it was extraordinary to watch! I imagine Thomas just couldn't help it. With genetics like that behind him it seems like a five foot fence would just be a tease!
ReplyDeleteDxoxox