Part two about my visit to the Goathouse Refuge...
When I saw these goats, I thought of Nancy and her sweet post about her Goatboys. I like how goats always look like they are smiling!
I fell in love with goats a few years ago when I went to a wedding at a goat cheese dairy. Sounds like a weird place for a wedding but it's a beautiful farm with a big old Victorian house that's been turned into a B&B and nice gardens for outdoor weddings. During the reception, I went to meet the goats and got to hold a baby goat who was less than 24 hours old. What a sweetheart! He was solid white and so soft and so small (but already walking), and he smelled good just like human babies do. Melted my heart! So sometimes I think I'd like to have some goats but it's not really practical right now. I loved learning that Maria I had a pet goat when she was a kid!
Anyway, there was a cute baby goat at the Refuge hanging out with his mom:
This goat was so cute and friendly:
A few more views of this beautiful place. This road runs from the main house and the art gallery, with gardens on the right and the goat pasture on the left. The roof that you can barely see at the top of the hill is the cat's house.
One of the many fish ponds in the gardens:
The gardens and all the art are amazing, and I love the rustic fences.
More cats tomorrow...
Comments (17)
What an absolutely wonderful place! Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by Donna | June 2, 2009 7:51 PM
Posted on June 2, 2009 19:51
I love this post! Can I say again how much I love goats?!
The Goathouse Refuge looks like a piece of heaven on earth. It must be a fun place to visit, with the garden art, fish ponds, kitties and goats.
The goats are so cute and look so friendly and the baby goat is adorable. Are the goats up for adoption?
I used to pretend that Pepe, my pet goat, was my pony and I would ride him around the yard. There's a photo somewhere of me and Pepe. If I find it, I might find the courage to put it on the blog. ;)
Posted by María I. | June 2, 2009 9:35 PM
Posted on June 2, 2009 21:35
I love goats, too...I never realized that they always look like they're smiling. No wonder I love to look at them! Have you seen the goats at bleedingespresso's site?
http://bleedingespresso.com/category/pasqualina
I always revisit those posts when I need a goat fix.
Posted by softdrink | June 2, 2009 11:31 PM
Posted on June 2, 2009 23:31
What great photos, Annie! thanks for sharing this. Goats are so cute. And the place is beautiful.
Posted by candi | June 3, 2009 3:51 AM
Posted on June 3, 2009 03:51
Never thought of goats as smiling but it's noticeable here in these photos. I've always thought of goats as animals that have personality altho not so long on looks! menehune
Posted by menehune | June 3, 2009 7:16 AM
Posted on June 3, 2009 07:16
Hi Annie, great post! In your photos the goats do look like they are smiling at you and they seem so friendly too. I loved your story about attending that wedding and being able to hold a new born baby goat. Very special experience. And I'm hoping Maria can find that photo of her riding her pet goat Pepe when she was a child, how cute is that!
This is such an awesome sanctuary and I love the pottery, neat fish ponds and rustic fences too. What a beautiful and peaceful setting. It's no wonder all the cats and goats look so happy and healthy.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences visiting this very special place Annie. I enjoyed reading about it and looking at all of your photos. I wish her all the best for what she is doing.
Have a great day today!
Posted by Kathy (trekcapri) | June 3, 2009 7:38 AM
Posted on June 3, 2009 07:38
Thanks everyone.
Maria, I would LOVE to see the photo of little you with Pepe! And I don't know if the Goathouse goats are up for adoption or not (I didn't see it mentioned in their brochure).
Jill, thanks for the link to those beautiful "kids."
Kathy, you are right about it being so peaceful and beautiful. One of the volunteers told me that she loves coming to work there so much and feels like it's a sanctuary for people as well as animals.
Posted by Annie | June 3, 2009 10:25 AM
Posted on June 3, 2009 10:25
Beautiful goats and beautiful place! I got a sudden urge to hold a baby goat but not sure where that would be...
Posted by Chiocciola | June 3, 2009 2:00 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 14:00
Annie, I just LOVE the cat and goat sanctuary! Two of my favorite animals!
Thank you so much for doing these posts - I may just have to make a donation to the sanctuary.
Posted by nancyhol | June 3, 2009 2:14 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 14:14
Chiocciola, I wonder if there's a goat cheese farm somewhere in Maryland or Northern Virginia? I'd like to hold another one!
Nancy, if you are ever back in NC, I highly recommend a visit to this place.
Posted by Annie | June 3, 2009 2:46 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 14:46
Where exactly is this place? I love those fences... and the gardens...
Posted by ann | June 3, 2009 7:16 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 19:16
Hi Ann, it's in Chatham County close to Pittsboro. Well worth a visit if you're ever in that part of the state.
Posted by Annie | June 3, 2009 8:38 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 20:38
Annie, what a very cool place! And I love that baby goat. Great photos!
Posted by sandrac | June 3, 2009 10:29 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 22:29
Sandra, thanks. And safe travels to you...hope you have a wonderful time in Italy. Can't wait to hear all about your trip!
Posted by Annie | June 4, 2009 12:07 AM
Posted on June 4, 2009 00:07
Can't find Pepe's photo but I'm pretty sure it's at my brother's house in Atlanta. I'm going there at the end of June so I'll be searching for it.
I’ll also be going to visit my niece who lives in Charlotte and I wonder how far this sanctuary is from her hometown.
Posted by María I. | June 7, 2009 4:11 PM
Posted on June 7, 2009 16:11
I also love goats. That must have been cool to hold a baby goat. Very cool place!
Posted by girasoli | June 7, 2009 10:26 PM
Posted on June 7, 2009 22:26
Maria, I left a message on your blog too but I think that the sanctuary is about two hours from Charlotte (and if you and your niece decide to visit, pleast let me know!).
Girasoli, it's funny how many people love goats!
Posted by Annie | June 8, 2009 8:33 AM
Posted on June 8, 2009 08:33