Friday, November 7, 2008

The Goat Barn

Today's flashback includes no pictures and it's a cryin' shame. This is a story unlike anything most of you have ever experienced.

I don't know how many of you know, but for a while, Spencer was studying veterinary medicine. So our first year of marriage, he worked at an animal reproduction lab at Utah State. (A job that brought forth MANY funny and unusual stories. If Spence ever wants to share them...he's welcome to be a guest writer.) As part of his undergraduate duties, he was required to feed the goats every other week...weekends included. Theses large, ugly goats were housed in a shackled, smelly goat barn.

One Sunday night we had been at some sort of church meeting and were on our way home... Spencer in a suit and me in my skirt and heals... when Spencer remembered he hadn't yet fed the goats. It was already dark out and the goat barn had no lighting. So the plan was to drive the car right in front of it, shine the headlights inside and keep the doors open.

Spencer came out a moment later a little hesitant to ask me a favor. These nasty goats were used to eating in the afternoon and were hungry. They had gotten out of their stalls to look for some food. So Spencer in his suit was climbing these stalls and tugging the goats to get them back where they were supposed to be. All I had to do was stand at the door to make sure the goats didn't leave the barn. Spencer was sure the goats would be afraid of me and not try to leave. HA!

While Spencer was busy with one goat and I was up to my ankles in hay and muck, another goat came charging towards me. I freaked. As if all goats weren't nasty, these were the nastiest goats ever. And she wasn't afraid of me as Spencer predicted. So my gut reaction was to shut the barn doors. I left Spencer locked in there in the pitch blackness until I could be sure that if I re-opened those doors, a goat wouldn't come running my direction.

Needless to say, we all made it home safe. No goats were lost or harmed.

I am SO not an animal lover.

11 comments:

Crystal said...

That's an awesome story. It sounds like something I would do. It kills Zac that I get afraid of things. But that's me and if a goat was charging me I would have run and not even shut the barn doors. So you at least kept the goat in the barn. You scored a 10 in my book.

Lauri said...

That is SO funny. I've never heard that story before. I can only imagine! and the fact that you were in church clothes makes the story even funnier!

Kelly said...

That's pretty hilarious! I'm glad you made itout safe and sound! I also hate goats, but am a huge animal lover.. minus goats and cats!

Kelly said...

I love goats for about 5 minutes, then I am so done- but that is the funniest story you have told in a long time!! I would love to hear more- make Spencer tell more!! Loved it almost as much as your Walmart excursions!!

Abbey said...

I needed a good laugh. You didn't need pictures, I could see that whole situation playing out in my head.

Cynthia said...

Yeah, the Sunday clothes make the story funnier. I would have slammed the barn door too. Who wouldn't. The things we do to get the bills paid . . . good times.

jeanine said...

That's hilarious. I can see the whole thing... especially you in your heels. I would have done the same thing!

Autumn said...

Oh I wish there were pictures! So funny. I can totally imagine it with church clothes and all. Thanks for sharing.

Kim said...

Ha funny very funny... I too am not an animal lover.

Genn said...

Too funny Katie. I am so not an animal lover either. I would have done the same thinking. I hope your heels were unharmed as well. It would be a shame to lose some good heels to goat muck! =)

PS- Thanks for your nice comment on my blog. I knew you'd understand. Who are these women who don't complain about the end of pregnancy? I'm glad to know I am not the only one who has ever felt the way I do. I know it's almost over, and I can't wait.

Unknown said...

That's hillarious! I can just picture you freaking out because a goat is charging you! ha ha! BTW- you were wondering what could top eggs??? How about yesterday when Trevor pooped in his pull-up, took it off and used his toy trucks to smash it into my carpet...