THAT'S A GOAT?! PT. 2
Three days later, a Saturday, I made the trip to Harrisburg to bring Sage home. It was with great worry that I did this as the state of Oregon was on the cusp of shutting down due to the Covid 19
pandemic and I was worried that I might be exposed to the virus by being out and about, which now seemed like a gamble with my life and the life of the sister with whom I live.
I arrived at my friend’s at the agreed upon time and she welcomed me warmly. Normally, a very social person, I did my best to keep my distance as I entered her house and was sure to wear a mask. I worried anyway and hoped to go back home as soon as possible. We were supposed to be quarantining, not having a visit. I felt positively wicked, yet I wanted to become Sage’s mommy so badly, I was willing to flaunt the rules just this littlest bit for this littlest while.
My friend first introduced me to Faith, who I was pleased to see was appearing to thrive at last, and then she led me over to a plastic storage bin and pulled back the towel that was covering the top. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped at the sight of the kitten sized animal within. That was a goat?! I couldn’t believe it! I knew she’d be tiny, but this was incredible! She was actually wearing an old sock for a sweater! I reached down and lifted Sage into my arms, taking care not to tear the short length of umbilical cord that was still attached. She immediately began to suckle on my neck while emitting kitten-like mews. It was as if she was saying, “Mommy! You’re here at last! What took you so long to come get me?”
To say I was in instant love would be an understatement. I was head over heels for this tiny creature that was being entrusted to my care. This was the best Sage I could ever have asked for. What had I been thinking, considering first Faith, then the black doeling as potential Sages?
My friend showed me around her goat yard, pointed out Sage’s biological mother and introduced me to the other babies, while talking animatedly about her animals. She was as eager to socialize as I was,but I just knew I was exposing myself to something awful by being away from home or perhaps exposing my friend and I could not wait to leave.
When I did finally climb into my truck and place Sage into carrier for the trip home, it was with great relief. I started the engine, put the truck in reverse, and immediately backed into a post at the end of my friend’s driveway, knocking it over. So much for a grateful, graceful exit. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to mind, and my truck was undamaged. I, however, was embarrassed.
