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| Name: |
Rivergate Gretal
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Age: |
Five years old
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| Gender: |
Female
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Kind: |
Australian Miniature Goat
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| Home: |
Queensland, Australia
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Gretal was not my first goat I bought, but she was from the same place I got my first few. I went to a farm and picked up a few bottle babies. In her paddock was Gretal and she stood out. She demands to be noticed. I asked about her and at the time the breeder said she would never sell Gretal and so I went on a waiting list for a daughter. Unfortunately this breeder had to sell all her goats and so offered me Gretal and her oldest (and first born) daughter. I jumped and the chance and picked them up a few days later. I have Gretal's four daughters and one son that I have kept. I also have Roulette's two daughters and soon Gretal's grandchildren!
When I first got Gretal home she wouldn't let me touch her, which I knew would happen her breeder warned me. She only lets people she knows touch her. It took a few weeks and then she came round. She is such a smooch to me but no one else. She also screams like someone being murdered if her food is late or if you walk past the paddock and don't at least call out to her! She is center of attention and will never be sold from here. She is our herd queen in charge but a fair leader.
We took her out to show about two months after I purchased her. She won her class, champion and grand champion! These were our first ever First Place champion or grandchampion! (We had gotten one Third Place at a show before.) We then went on to show her multiple times for consistent champions and grand champions. She also won us our first ever Supreme of Show!
These days we only show her every now and again as she prefers to stay home with her extended family. She did love showing but I think got over it and started laying down in the ring! We take her out maybe two-three times a year and she always brings home champion and most the time grand champion. Even when she was laying down in the ring the judges still loved her!
When she is in milk she has to be first milked in the morning or she will cause chaos! She then has to have her cuddle, scratch and treat (chicken crimpy biscuits are her favorite!) and then she hops down and goes about her morning. Once I have finished milking she comes up has one last cuddle then will go out to the paddock for the day. She loves routine and if it's changed she throws tantrums!!
Talk about Gretal in Pet Talk!
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