Chaundra loves to stand on the Goat See-Saw. Often with his momma, Tia. They love to watch and talk (maaaaa) to BOI's visitors meandering by. The see-saw was a surprise gift to the goats a few years ago by my daughter Kait and her hubby Spencer. They felt the goats needed a toy :) They were right. The goats love to play on it, solo or with a goat buddy. And we love to see them on it! Goats are social creatures. Like humans, they thrive with companionship. Connection.
Alan and I were novice goat owners when we became owners and stewards of Bend of Ivy. So, we hired a 'goat consultant'.She told us that goats need companionship. We were told goats should not be solo. They need at least one companion goat.
That advice stayed with us.
In late December 2020 our goat Lily was hurt and needed to be isolated in our goat barn to heal. To help Lily heal we put our gentlest goat, dear Chloe, in with her. We feel companionship helped Lily get better. Interestingly, the herd hierarchy and the dynamics changed after that. Lily healed, got confident, and became the herd leader. The goat herd hierarchy changes on occasion. Just like with humans.
Like goats, humans need connection, relationships, and community. We heal and thrive with connection. With supportive relationships.
That's why retreats can be so restorative, and powerful healers.
Intentional retreats offer connections, relationships, and community.
All needed by goats and humans!
-Susan
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