The Story of Abbakiss

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Ziggy and Me Feb 19, 2012

Abbakiss, Cloud, Me Finian, Rainbow

Just came in from the corral from feeding Ziggy and the goats - Finian, Rainbow, Abbakiss, and Cloud.  All are Nubians but Cloud who is a Nigerian and came to stay for awhile as young Abbakiss's "babysitter".  Cloud comes from a special herd of Nigerians owned by my friends, Deb and Chuck, down the road.  The Nubbies are a large breed of goats and my gelded boys serve as Ziggy's herd.  13 years ago when Ziggy came to live with me when he was 2 (and that is a story for another day),  I had to decide what companion animal I wanted to live with him.  I chose the Nubians because of their size but I had no idea what incredible creatures they were.  They are smart, funny, in awe of the world, and love to play.  Having a bad day?  Just go and pet a goat.  Abbakiss, at 7 months old, is my youngest and his story is rather magical.

Abbakiss coming home

Last summer my older goat, Chocko became ill and in a few days was not able to walk or breathe.  I was devastated and had my wonderful goat vet, Dr. Heidi Hamlin, come out and check him out.  There was nothing she could do since Chocko's aliment came on so quickly.  I made him as comfortable as possible and isolated him from the others so he could rest.  The day before Dr. Hamlin came out to give Chocks a peaceful passing I began to have an image of a little baby goat in my head.  I   
was confused because all I could think about  
was seeing to Chocko's comfort and burial
arrangements.  A few days after Chocko's
passing I was drawn to the Southwest Dairy Association site on my computer.  A name popped out at me, Pat Jones.  I called her and found to my surprise that one of her goats had a unexpected male baby late in the season and he was just a month old and she did not know
 what to do with him.  Most goat farmers keep
 the females for milking and may have a few
 bucks and geldings around, but do not need
 more male goats.  Sometimes those little guys
 go to other farms and often to the butcher.  So I ran out to her farm in Belen, New Mexico to see the little fellow.  He was brown and white and Pat called him Cocoa Puff.  He was adorable and tiny and so alert.  I knew he was mine.  A month later, my friend Deb and I drove back down to Pat's farm and "packed-up" the little guy and put him in my access cab behind my seat.  Deb was there for goat duty and support.  The little fellow let out a few "baas" and then sat down and enjoyed the trip.
Deb and I were amazed.  I could feel him listening to our voices as we spoke.  The unusual aspect of this homecoming was I had always taken home 2 goats so they had each other for company.  I had planned to put my fellow by himself in my goat pen and hope he would acclimate. Wishful thinking!
Nubians are known to have the loudest voices of all the goats and that first night I was very aware just how loud a 2 month old could BAA.  I received a number of calls from neighbors who were worried I might have a "problem" with one of my goats.  I quickly called Deb the next day and we arranged to have Cloud, one of her Nigerian geldings come and "babysit".  Cloud is a very independent little guy  who was the smallest in his herd of Nigerians.  He walked into the "new guy's" pen and became acquainted.  The 2 of them were such an odd pair and still are to this day.  There was no crying that night as Cloud and his new charge kept each other company.  As the days went by, I was amazed how confident and smart this new baby appeared.  Cocoa Puff was definitely too lightweight a name for such a creature.  I went on-line and looked up names for horses and found the name Abacus, the name of the ancient counting device.  That had enough gravitas for this "full of himself" fellow.  I spelled it Abbakiss because my guy  has always given many kisses.  Abbakiss has been an unexpected gift to me and the barnyard.  He has insinuated himself into everyone's business and is the first at the gate when I approach the corral.  He and my dog Rooe give each other kisses and my yearlings Finian and Rainbow move him around gently.  He brings a smile to all who visit.