Episodes > 106 > Pet Tales

Dogs and cats got your goat?

We all love our dogs and cats and rabbits and hamsters…but have you ever thought about what other kind of pet possibilities there might be out there? There are other options you know and we’re not talking about sea monkeys or pet rocks!

So your driving through your neighborhood on your way home from a long day at work…you're so exhausted your eyes are more glazed over than a Krispy Kreme donut…you glance to the left and there is Mrs. Graham doing her usual afternoon jog with her pet…you slam on the brakes nearly running into the school crossing guard because all of a sudden Mrs. Graham’s dog has grown a beard…you roll down the window thinking you're hallucinating! Could it be a delusion? With your strongest voice you yell to Mrs. Graham…”Susan, what is that?” She replies, “that’s my new pet goat!”

Looking for a pet that is more unique and exciting? Well, how about a fainting goat! Believe it or not, they are becoming more and more popular around the U.S. as household pets.

Well, they don’t actually faint. When they are startled their legs just get stiff and they fall over. Crazy? It’s true! Fainting goats are actually pigmy goats that first appeared in Marshall County, Tennessee around the 1800’s.  Although they are officially called a “meat” goat instead of a “dairy” goat they are not used for food anymore and make great pets.

Full of personality, docile and affectionate, goats can easily take the place of traditional pets such as dogs and cats and you don’t have to worry about feeding them. Although they don’t eat “tin cans” as the cartoons would lead us to believe, they are a good source for getting rid of all the “junk” mail that you get every day.

And under the “who would have thought” category…yes there is an
International Fainting Goat Association if you want more information.

An important thing to remember while you are around your goat…be gentle and please no quick unexpected motions or you’ll know what will happen…down he goes!

THE TAIL-END
Old wives’ tales refer to goats as well. The story goes that many years ago in a far off land Shepherds used to mix fainting goats in with their sheep herd. When the wolves would come down at night to have a late night snack the goats would be startled and faint. This would get the wolves attention and give the sheep a clean get-a-way. Pretty smart for the Shepherd, but the goats had a problem with the concept!