I knew we were in trouble the day Pi was born. He hit the ground running and immediately came to snuggle in my lap rather than seek out his mother for cleaning up and nursing. Later in the day, our then 4 year old, Olivia came out to the barn to meet Pi and it was love at first sight. Her first words were, "This is my goat!" The problem lies in the fact that we didn't need a new breeding Alpine. So we can't keep him in tact. And then, if we wether (neuter) him, what will his purpose be on the farm if he can't breed? He'll be a freeloader? No way! But the 4 year old little girl loves her new goat and how, as a mom, can I say no? Doesn't every little girl need a baby goat? I mean, it wasn't a hard sell... I secretly loved him too. There was just an immediate bond!
It wasn't until the day a possible forever home came along that I knew Pi was meant to be ours. Our dear friends came to pick out their new goat kids from the ones born here at the farm. They like keeping twins together and were really eyeing Apple. That meant they would want Pi and my heart sank into the deepest pit. If I couldn't let Pi go live at their home; which is arguably more amazing than ours and where he'd be loved and spoiled and have the best veterinary care, then I knew Pi had already found his home here with us. It was that moment I knew we were in for some trouble.... of the expensive kind!
Deciding to keep Pi started this snowball effect of all the babies I wanted to keep this season. Now, in my defense, we kept 3 Toggenburg does because our Togg adults are getting older and, after this kidding season, we retired 1 and partially retired a second. The monkey wrench of keeping not 1, not 2, but THREE wethered boys was somewhat unexpected. It wasn't though if Aaron just remembered certain conversations from last kidding season. The kind where I said we need a few goats over in the other paddock to help keep it short and well-maintained so I don't have to spend so much time mowing it each weekend! (He forgets so easily) Anyways.... I digress. Once we determined Pi was staying, we quickly worked on drawing up barn designs (on napkins lol). We finalized on a beautiful barn and ended up naming it House of Pi because it was ALL Pi's fault, naturally! And, every good barn needs an equally awesome and meaningful name!
When we talk about every goat needing a purpose on the farm, we couldn't have been more wrong when saying a wether is a freeloader. Now, yes, a wether isn't going to breed the next generation of kids nor produce milk. So, in a traditional sense, a wether cannot help the farm produce money needed to feed and provide for him. However, I strongly believe Pi was sent to us to serve as much more. Our oldest son, Jake, went through a very tough Spring/Summer with his depression and anxiety but Pi Pi was there with him every time Jake reached out to him. Through the thick and thin of life, Pi has been there! For Jake, Liv, people who come for Goat Snuggle Sessions, our Youtube Villagers, even myself! Whatever your mood, Pi is bound to brighten your day and bring a smile to your face. I had no idea, the day he was born, the impact Pi would have on all our lives and am truly honored God trusted us with him ❤️
