We have been very busy around here lately and I have regrettably been neglecting the blog. Chip is leash trained and is very handsome, so as fate would have it he was invited to march in the town parade - representing a local Congressional candidate.
I was very hesitant and protective, but I brought water bottles with nipples, goat treats, and a wagon to pull him if he got tired.
Chip did fantastic, everyone loved him. I could hear kids in the crowd yelling; "Look at the cute goat!" On Tuesday July 6th the Commander met four Australians at the airport and he asked them if they enjoyed their visit. Their reply surprised him, they told him about how they went to a 4th of July parade and saw the cutest little goat! They even showed him pictures that they took. They told him Chip was the highlight of the parade for them.
I don't know what I was thinking but I was convinced to take Chip to a second parade the next day. Chip again was a huge hit, he even let some children pet him. Chip finished off the day by visiting the retirement home at the end of the parade route. Chip's exploits got him filmed by the local TV broadcast crew. Chip is now retired until labor day.
At one point I rocked Chip in my arms like a little baby and he drifted off to sleep, breaking the hearts of everyone who saw me holding him.
Aw. Goats have such personality, it's no wonder he stole their hearts. :o) What a great idea, to share him.
ReplyDeleteI wish we could have had a parade. They don't have them here in my area. I miss the wonderful parades I went to every year as a child.
What a cutie!
~Faith
Faith, I was very worried about him getting too hot or sick, but he came through with flying colors.
ReplyDeleteHere in northern MN there are local town parades from July 4th all the way through Labor Day. Mix in town and county fairs and it is an ongoing example of old Americana - quite wonderful really.
What a cute story. Now get him a little goat pack like my Filbert and he can carry candy for the children. He will have many parades in his future.
ReplyDeleteSweet picture at the end.
Chip is adorable!!!! He makes me want goats even more!
ReplyDeleteAw, what a great post. I love the picture of Chip sleeping with his head resting on your shoulder. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweetie Chip is! And that last picture of him sleeping on your shoulder made me say "awwwwwwwww" right out loud. That is the sweetest thing ever. I just love it.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I had no idea you you and Chip got to be in parades!!! I've *always* wanted to do this! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet story and I love the pictures.
That first shot of you made me laugh, though, because it was another from the neck down. I totally thought you were joshin' me.. lol
:-)
The highlight for Chip was when a different parade he was in finished up at a retirement home and we brought him in for a visit. Many of the elderly folks used to live on farms at one point or another in their lives and it gave them a chance to relive some of those moments. He was a huge hit.
ReplyDeleteHow do you keep him from jumping up on people? Seems like that would be a bad thing in a retirement home. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd he looks like he's got excellent leash manners. Pete and Reggie are quite "tuggy" when it comes to their leashes. I'm afraid they would publicly embarrass me with their rowdy goat-boy behavior if I took them off the farm. lol
The excitement always took a lot out of him so I had to be really careful. I always had someone with a small pull a wagon right behind us if Chip tired out and needed a ride. As you could see in the one picture I held him up for the crowds of smaller children, but at the home he was very well mannered as most of the folks were seated one way or another.
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