Searching For The Enigma That Is Stig

Mishka has been gone a month now. Hardest part is coming home and not having his pointy little face at the window. Cats have been confused. I've been lonely. Trying to find another Sheltie however is problematic due to cost. I spent nearly $600 in medical fees for Mish so only have $80 birthday money towards a new dog at the moment. Cost of a Sheltie puppy is $900- up $700 from when I bought Mishka in 1997. Inflation has a lot to answer for. I have been looking at other breeds but they're either up there in price or else don't inspire any desire in me to own them. Designer breeds (what we used to call mongrels) are the worst. Weimadoodles, cavoodles, schnoodles- every sort of doodly poodly combo fills Trademe's listings. Have spoken to two Sheltie breeders about finding an older dog needing a loving home so think that may be the best option.



On the 3rd November Ella the hen walked out with eight little chicks. She's a bit of a playgirl so they all seem to have different fathers. I couldn't keep her in the woodshed since Stig is still King in there so put a wire cage in the carport at the back door which has made it easy to take care of them. Ella is a good Mum and once she got over the desire to rip my hand off every time I offered food we started up a pretty good relationship.


Ebony's remaining two babies are big and healthy. I haven't handled them as much as I would like as I was so nervous after the others died that I didn't want to risk passing some nasty bacteria onto them but they now come up and ask to be patted and made a fuss of.


Stig has been my saving grace. Stig the demanding not quite four month old goat who has to be walked three times a day and who has ensured I keep weeding the garden in an effort to feed this demanding maahing spoilt monster. Stig who is learning to shake hands although he can sometimes decide to shake hands with your head when you're bending over. Stig who on occasion runs away so he can dash inside for a quick explore before I catch up with him. Stig who, if he spies a basket of clean washing, grabs a pair of my knickers and runs about shaking them up and down. Stig who wails like a banshee when he's throwing a tanty. I love goats!