Such is their childlike wonder at the world that goats tend to fall over when they are surprised. This flaccidness in the face of the unexpected is hard-wired into their central nervous system, it appears. And in these jaded and cynical times, is there not a lesson there for all of us?
But I wonder. Many of the goats of my acquaintance are distinctly unflappable. Just what is it that may so surprise a goat?
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7 comments:
Hello from Crete!
Delighted to see your blog!
At last our voice can be heard!
Things are a bit tough in Crete right now: We’ve got to deal both with heat-wave and fires. I don’t know if there will be enough food to get us through the winter this year.
Would anyone know what the procedure for immigration to Cyprus would be? Is introduction of fellow species permitted? I’m also especially concerned about how the mouflon community would react to such a prospect. Ewe?
Ok, guys, got to go.
Can see fire is getting closer to this peak!
I’m concerned about Sanada and the kids.
They may be taken by surprise!
Hope to be able to get in touch soon again.
Hello kri-kri. Excuse my surprise but are you really a real kri-kri? A computer literate kri-kri? A kri-kri so well-versed in matters of public international and immigration law? Do you actually have thumbs, with which you hit the space bar? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then I think our quest is over before it even began.
In response to Ruminant, you are so right! All goats of my experience tend to the unflappable. Their most deadly of weapons, the sharp, short flatulant burst is normally enough to ward of all but the most ferocious of predators. I'm most astounded to witness your 'fainting goats'. I can only conclude that we are witnessing an unprecedented evolutionary response to a predator with no olfactory sense? Please let me know your thoughts.
Welcome kri-kri. Of course immigration to Cyprus is a viable option. In fact, we could send over a squadron of the legendary flying mouffakia to rescue you if needs be.
Hello Kri- Kri!
I’m sure the mouflon community would not mind your presence.
Wild sheep do not exhibit any territorial behaviour as neither wild goats do http://www.goatworld.com/articles/
behavior/behavior.shtml
see paragraph 15
We are all loving, innocent creatures (as Ruminant has underlined) spreading peace in the world!
That is as long as you don’t approach any of our females which a male mouflon has his eyes on: see paragraph 27
But I doubt this would happen as you seem like a man dedicated to his family.
Dear Ewe,
Thank you for your highly informative comments in response to Kri-Kri. Although it is not only peace that mouffloi spread in the world (the flatulence issue is naggingly persistent, like... well, like a bad smell in the air) I agree with your sentiments.
Indeed, Kri-Kri's original post may serve to remind us that all is not entirely rosy in the ovicaprid world. But as Ovicapricious mentioned, the OVM is not entirely without resources. It is no secret that our agents are highly trained, and can be deployed instantly. Kri-Kri, if in true distress, may activate these agents through use of the code word. The code word is "goat".
Dear Ovicapricious,
These do indeed seem to be exciting evolutionary times for the wide sheep-goat family. In our first post we noted the genetic manipulations underway involving goats' mammeries; in these comments we appear to have a Cretan wild goat who has mastered - albeit in a crude way, but these are early days - both the keyboard and an internet connection. The issue of flatulence is a complex one, which I hope we might address later, but perhaps falling over is indeed a response aimed at predators with no noses but a highly developed sense of humour. Much to ruminate on there, I feel.
Hey, I am checking this blog using the phone and this appears to be kind of odd. Thought you'd wish to know. This is a great write-up nevertheless, did not mess that up.
- David
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