Yes! I always wanted a goat as a child!

Over the past month or so, I have noticed an interesting connection developing in a paddock when doing the school run drive.

I’ll take you back about two months.  I noticed a new mob of goats in a hilly paddock surrounding a dam with lots of blackberry. I guessed the goats had arrived to help clear out this noxious weed.

About two weeks later I noticed one caramel goat, with light caramel markings around the chin, ears and tail; out on the road. It jumped the fence and ran off.

A few days later I noticed a herd of black angus cattle in an adjacent paddock down near a dam. As the cattle moved to the side, there the caramel goat was, right in the middle of the herd!

I will be honest; my heart did skip a beat while knowing that this little caramel goat had been included in the herd of black angus cattle. 

I did think of the generosity of spirit of this herd of cattle, to welcome the one lone goat into their herd.  An animal of a different bred, colour and size, had been welcomed with open arms into the fold.

At this point, you may be thinking, “you are spending a lot of time watching a goat in with a herd of cows”.

I do this drive four times a day, 5 days a week.

So yes! I am spending more time than the average person noticing what these cows and one goat are doing!

As a child, I asked and asked for a pet goat. I don’t really know what the appeal was. I just wanted one! But as many times as I asked, my Dad said no! As he had seen a goat jump up and stand all four hoofs on the top of a strainer posts. He told me that it wasn’t the kind of animal I was having as a pet. Looking back as an adult, perhaps it was a wise decision! But maybe I am living out a childhood goat ownership dream by watching this goat.

This morning on my way home from school drop off, I noticed the herd of cows moving across the top of the hill. With one young cow almost skipping. I don’t really know what the proper term for cows joyfully running or skipping, but that was what I was watching and it was heart-warming to see. When I got closer to the top of the hill, I noticed the cows were gathering at the top of the hill at some hay. One cow stepped to the side. And there was the one lone caramel goat, surrounded by the black angus cattle herd. All eating hay together.

OH MY HEART!

The lone caramel goat had continued to be welcomed by the herd of cows.

The caramel goat had found their tribe.

So, what are the 3 things I have learnt from my school run drive?

1. Kindness is catching.

Whether it be in the animal world, or from one human being to another. Kindness grows kindness. The conscious choice to be kind to another, cultivates it in that human being and others around them. So, sprinkle kindness around everywhere!

2. Finding your tribe

Finding your tribe is important to all beings. Finding a place of genuine connection, of belonging, where you can truly be yourself is central to us all living a fulfilling life.

3. Be open to difference

I think the most powerful lesson I have learnt from watching these black angus cows and the little caramel goat is that being open to difference is one of the most important gifts we can ever give another person (or goat).  Accepting others as their authentic selves. While also looking for what we have in common and building a connection from there is nurturing for ourselves and others.   Part of this is also standing up. Not being a bystander. If you notice someone being treated with unkindness or unfairness. Say or do something. That short moment of discomfort for yourself, may make a very big difference for the other person.

DOLLY’S DREAM is a charity which was founded on the story of tragic impact of bullying on the life of young 14 year old Dolly Everett, from outback Australia.

A loss far too young.

An unnecessary loss caused by online bullying.

Seeing Dolly’s Dream of a kinder and safer world come a reality.

We love that the Dolly’s Dream charity offers support for parents navigating online challenges for their children through education and support.

A very welcome and much needed resource in the current world that we live in.

This generation of parents are the first to face parenting their children through the challenges an online world presents to their children.

The message of DO IT FOR DOLLY DAY resonates with our family values. Being an active citizen in community and doing something to make a difference is important to us.

We are supporting DO IT FOR DOLLY DAY by contributing

15% of all sales

on the 10th of May 2024 through our small family farm directly to the DOLLYS DREAM charity.

That is :

A $120 donation for a Quarter of Beef purchased.

A $225 donation for a Half of Beef purchased.

A $34.50 donation for a 10kg Grass Fed Beef Box purchased.

So, if you have been thinking about stocking your families’ freezer with beef, purchasing on 10th May will also make a difference against bullying and in growing kindness.

We will be wearing our bright blue Dollys Dream shirts and going blue for Do it for Dolly Day this coming week.

We will update you more on our socials about what our plans are to raise funds and awareness for Do it for Dolly Day.

I will email members of OUR FLOCK at 6am on Do it for Dolly Day (10th May 2024) to remind you that is the day!

Click here to Join our Flock and receive your FREE PRINTABLE Lamb Recipe. My kids always come back for more of these lamb chops!

Love to you all, Misses Farmer X

Copyright Peppermint Ridge Farm Co 2024