Star Gazing Farm, Maryland: Animal Biographies: Rosie

Animals: Biographies

Rosalita
Boer mix doe (goat)
Born approximately February, 2001
Weight approx. 120 pounds

It was all because of Newman. Newman was wandering around and around the house yelling at me to come out at all hours. He was bored, and lonely. Apparently the sheep were beneath contempt as companions. I discussed this with Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, and so when they told me of a stray female who had been picked up in Howard County, I jumped at the chance. Tails of Hope Sanctuary took her out of the animal shelter and brought her over to me; she was a thin little girl, and so shy you could hardly get near her. In fact, it took about 8 months for her to become tame enough to want to be near people. Now she eats out of my hand and enjoys being petted.

Rosie is a lovely girl; her eyes are a beautiful amber color and her coat is always extremely clean. She likes Newman well enough but keeps enough distance because her horns are no match for his. She likes being scratched on the back, but doesn't want you to touch her head. And she does this funny thing where she rolls her head back and around, as though she is doing a special kind of stretch (none of the other animals do this). She's a peaceful being, but quick as a lick when it comes to sneaking into the ducks' pen to steal their food!

Rosie's favorite friend is Little Boy. She loves to follow him around and they often take naps together.

Care:

FOOD
Rosie used to get 3/4 cup of grain every day but she has become so fat that now she only gets some treats of grain or corn or black oil sunflower seeds. Along with the other animals, she eats a mixture of alfalfa, timothy, and orchard grass hay. She loves to chew on bushes and flower, and grazes the grass alongside the sheep.

MEDICAL
Rosie receives a yearly shot of CD/T and rabies. She is wormed every 6 weeks alternating Safeguard and Ivermectin. Her hooves are trimmed every six weeks, at the same time. She cut her hoof about 2 months ago and though it isn't causing her pain anymore, we're keeping an eye on it as the hoof is still not completely healed.

HOUSING
Goats hate getting wet, so it's important for them to have a shelter to go to. Rosie likes to take shelter under the eaves of the house, and also makes glad use of the goat door Newman created for her in the back porch.