Clover Takes a Trip | Chickens in the Road

Feb
21

Clover’s in heat! She started “flagging” her tail, so I whipped out the buck rag (the cloth from the goat farm, rubbed in buck scent) and stuck it in her face. She just sorta stared at it then contemplated eating it. She’s so cooperative. I think she was just thinking about that pee on Cowboy’s head and not sure she really wanted to go on a date with him. (See Cowboy.)

But I want some blue-eyed babies from the blue-eyed Cowboy, so we packed her up in a crate against her wishes.

She wasn’t real happy about the situation, but I gave her a cookie.

Even less happy were the babies.

Especially this one.

She bawled and bawled and hasn’t stopped bawling.

We drove the few miles over to the goat farm and I gave Clover another cookie for being such a good girl on the trip.

Admiral, the Great Pyr at the goat farm, was quite excited about the arrival of company.

Clover was carried from the truck to the goat yard where a dozen does and Admiral gathered to greet her.

Clover, with her babies, left the goat farm and her old friends six months ago to come live on our farm. Here, she has reigned supreme. The top goat! No competition. The queen!

Back on the goat farm, a dozen other queens circled to welcome her back–and let her know she was not going to be queen there.

There was head-butting.

And more head-butting.

And even more head-butting.

(Left, Clover. Right, Clover’s twin sister.)

All the does are in heat and Cowboy was to be brought up to the yard to spend some quality time with his entire harem.

Clover was very very ready.

This is what “flagging” looks like. A female goat raises her tail to show she is receptive to male companionship.

Only Cowboy wasn’t there yet and the companionship she was getting wasn’t quite what she was after.

I really think that right about then…..

….she was actually missing Coco.

(Don’t worry, Admiral. Next time, we’ll bring Coco for a date with you!)

Clover tried to escape.

But it didn’t do her much good.

And then it was time to leave her. I heard Clover crying as I walked away.

I looked back.

Clover: “Don’t leave me here! THEY ONLY HAVE STORE-BOUGHT COOKIES!!!”

But I had to go. And Clover resorted to Plan B, laying out her demands to the goat farmers.

Clover: “I require homemade cookies. Daily. I would also like a tiara.”

Don’t you know, she got her cookie wish. Photo below courtesy Destiny Groves Farm, on Day 2 of Clover’s Big Adventure. Pictured, Clover’s sister (Cookie Doe), Clover, and their mother (Valentina).
familyreunion11x
And next, they’ll all be wearing tiaras, too.

“I’m living on this farm now,” she told the others, “where the animals are in charge. Let me tell you how it works….”

They are in big trouble at the goat farm.

We plan to leave her there for a week or two, giving her plenty of “Cowboy time”–and she has already been spotted in flagrante delicto with her blue-eyed buck. Now that she has fresh-baked cookies and a boyfriend, she may never want to come back. (Though by the time she has all their does in tiaras, they may be ready to kick her out!)

Back at Stringtown Rising Farm, nobody is happy without Clover and even a cookie won’t help.

Nutmeg is inconsolable. She calls for Clover all day long.

I know how she feels. I miss Clover, too.

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39 Responses
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2-21
3:09
am

great tail — er, tale.

grumpnet - Reply
2-21
5:10
am

LOL!!!! A romance novel…..hehehe…… Poor babies, without their momma and not even taking advantage of it!! Clover will be happy to return and be the queen goat!

CindyP - Reply
2-21
5:26
am

OMG! That was SSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO FUNNY!!! dopey dog…

Heidi - Reply
2-21
6:14
am

That made me want to cry. I hope the two weeks goes quickly for all, including me!

Kathie - Reply
2-21
6:25
am

I know it’s the right thing to do but my heart is breaking for her babies. She also looked so sad when you left, I’m not sure how you walked away! I’ll pray she is home sooooooon.

Lauri - Reply
2-21
6:29
am

Again – you are missing a big opportunity here in not doing children’s books. Taking clover to see the kids!

jane - Reply
2-21
6:36
am

Well, I choked on my coffee this morning, thanks to YOU!!!
Funny stuff.

shirley - Reply
2-21
7:10
am

Happy And sad times at your farm. Poor Clover looked like you were going to leave here there forever. lol. And her babies crying. Are you planning a cookie party when she comes home??

Diane - Reply
2-21
7:36
am

I miss Clover. I hope she doesn’t end up with puppies….

Mental P Mama - Reply
2-21
7:37
am

I know that is what had to be done for things to work out the way you want but I feel awful for you having to leave Clover and for 2 weeks. Listening to the babies crying would make me cry. Don’t know how you did it but I know it’s part of living on a farm.

Linda - Reply
2-21
7:37
am

Too cute that you got a picture of the dog trying to “help”. Maybe he is asking for a friend of his own?!!!!!

monica - Reply
2-21
7:45
am

Poor Nutmeg..poor Clover,I what to cry too! I see a tearful reunion in a week or two!

IowaDeb - Reply
2-21
8:01
am

Oh, those poor babies!

Kathryn - Reply
2-21
8:15
am

Poor Clover. Poor NUTMEG!
And poor Destiny Groves Farm. It will be a changed farm by the time Clover is done with them!

Becky - Reply
2-21
8:25
am

Oh, I laughed out loud at this one! Poor Clover. Poor Nutmeg.

But…

Yay goat babies!!!!

Will she get morning sickness? Will her hooves swell? Will she crave pickles with her cookies? We’re waiting patiently to find out.

Suzette - Reply
2-21
8:25
am

Oh my word, Harlequin goats novel!

CATRAY44 - Reply
2-21
8:26
am

The great thing about you writing children’s books, is adults will chuckle at what is over the kids heads… both ages will love them! I would buy the whole series…. and the next!

CATRAY44 - Reply
2-21
8:36
am

Forget about children’s books, Suzanne – you’ve turned into a Goat Pimp!!! Those poor crying mouths – I imagine Nutmeg and Honey crying “maaamaaa” for Clover, and Clover crying the same for you! Maybe now would be a good time for Annabelle to work some magic consoling the kids?

Cowboy and Clover will make beautiful babies. I hope the kids stop crying soon and that the time passes quickly for all of you! What a story!

Nancy in Atlanta - Reply
2-21
8:50
am

Oh boy! Goat babies! Those little goat babies will be just too cute! I do love babies on the farm!! And one day Coco babies too! Oh those little pyr pups will be so adorable!

On day, when I can afford it, I’m getting a great Pyr myself! It’s one of my greatest dreams.

Sheryl - Reply
2-21
9:11
am

Oh, I can’t wait to see the blue-eyed babies you get. Have I mentioned that I love your blog and my husband may send you nasty emails someday when he comes home to find sheep, goats and a giant puppy?

Heidi533 - Reply
2-21
9:49
am

what great pictures!!!! I hope you will do a “Clover’s Homecoming” album, too.

mb. - Reply
2-21
10:25
am

So what do you get when a huge dog and a tiny goat start fulling around lol. Poor Nutmeg.

catslady - Reply
2-21
10:26
am

hahaha “fooling” not fuling

catslady - Reply
2-21
10:38
am

Oh dear, I do believe Admiral needs a girlfriend! Coco – where are you!!!!!

Carol - Reply
2-21
10:49
am

OMG!!! Aren’t hormones/pheromones AMAZING??? Clover has joined a brothel.

IowaCowgirl - Reply
2-21
11:01
am

Maybe you will have white goat pups in the spring!

M - Reply
2-21
11:02
am

WOw! I wasn’t expecting an xrated blog this morning. When the dog mounted the goat I just about died. (laughing) Poor Clover!!!! Not what she bargained for, I’ll bet.

I finished Protected In His Arms and it was excellent except the part where about 10 pages were mysteriously missing from the book. lol They weren’t ripped out, they just never made it into the book. That is the first time that has ever happened to me. Really freaky!!!

trish - Reply
2-21
11:23
am

OH, the things we do for LOVE!

Blessings from Ohio…

Kim W - Reply
2-21
11:27
am

What a tale or tail this is. poor babies miss their mothere so bad. Give them extra cookies Suzanne. They deserve it. Clover may want to stay over and visit longer. I cracked up looking at those pictures this morning.

Treasia/TruckersWife - Reply
2-21
12:24
pm

clover, please come home soon!

tillie - Reply
2-21
2:57
pm

Poor babies miss their mom. Probably won’t be too happy about siblings either.

Estella - Reply
2-21
3:00
pm

ROFLMAO! X-rated goat tails! tales!
Love the goat stories. Let Annabelle in the goat pen to play with the goat kids and maybe it will get their mind off their mother being GONE. Need cookies, many cookies!

Jodie - Reply
2-21
3:03
pm

Clover put that tail down when Admiral is around!

Susan - Reply
2-21
4:22
pm

Your goats are so funny. I thought poor Clover when Admiral showed interest but I see she’s taken control of the situation.

Marley Delarose - Reply
2-21
5:49
pm

This post made me want to cry. But then I read the comments. That made me feel so much better

Got ear plugs?

Darlene - Reply
2-21
10:41
pm

Yea, who doesn’t miss home, it’s a new adventure for everybody it looks like! New and old friends! The time will pass quickly I am sure!

Cranberry - Reply
2-21
11:10
pm

That Admiral is one beautiful dog..He and Coco will have gorgeous pups when the time comes. Can’t wait to follow the saga of Clover’s pregnancy.

SuzieQ - Reply
2-25
3:18
pm

Oh MY GOSH! You have goats too? I have chickens and a goat that is causing me all kinds of trouble right now. Apparently, she needs a friend to stop causing trouble. I’m just afraid if I get her a friend, they will cause trouble TOGETHER!

feathrencox - Reply
3-10
7:11
pm

Love the photos! We have Nigerians too!

Missy Martz - Reply