so here i sit

So here I sit, a one-week-old kid on my lap, trying to do some art. He's all warm and cozy from his nap; he ate 4 oz of goat milk this morning (I have to drag it out over 15-30 minutes so that he doesn't bloat). The biggest problem right now is how to juggle Phoenix the baby goat with the 70 lb puppy who jumps over fences (and who I don't trust with the kid). My one little black dog (chihuahua-terrier? mix) has appointed herself mom to the goat, which helps some. right now we're in the studio and Phoenix is trying to butt Jessie, which may not go over too well.

Yesterday I let the momma goat out of the barn and put Phoenix in with his brother, which would have worked fine except that they escaped from the barn. When I went out at lunchtime, the momma was up by the house (she's an expert escape artist and never stays in the pasture) and the two babies were huddled in the grass by the front of the barn. Phoenix is definitely still small enough that an eagle could pick him up...

Maybe I'll try locking them in the old chicken coop area of the barn--I keep the hay and grain in there now, but they won't be interested in that. They can play safely and won't be able to escape...

Dogs...goats...children...what was I ever thinking???