Goat of the Week - Sky River Meadows Anakin

 This weeks edition of Goat of the Week is all about Anakin.  This cutey pie has a different story in some ways.  I like to refer to Anakin as one of my "dirty little secrets" in the sense that his purpose in being a part of my herd is very personal to me and my work, which I will elaborate on in more detail shortly. 
Ani's story began on my birthday in 2015.  It was a typical beautiful sunny day in August and his mom Cassi decided that me sitting with her, waiting for her to give birth to her babies was how I would spend my birthday - which was OK by me!  What a gift to be able to receive!.   Cassi gave birth to two beautiful babies that day - Padme and Anakin.  These two beauties were complete polar opposites of each other.  She was black with white markings and blue eyes, he was white with black markings and brown eyes.  She was reserved, quiet and shy, while he was very boisterous, mischievous, playful and so very sweet - to me anyways.  

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Anakin is what is called a wether.  That is the term for a fixed male goat.  The Sky River therapy herd actually has eighteen wethers within it.  These males have a couple of very specific job functions within the herd.  Fixed males are often herd protectors and they let me know when the females are receptive to being bred.  The most important job they have though is to be the great connectors with people.  Due to being fixed, they become less interested in sex drive and more interested in connecting.  They are generally more affectionate, loving, playful and personable.  

The reason I refer to Anakin as one of my "dirty little secrets" (and I have more than one) is that his place in the herd was earned due to my love for him and my need to have him in my life.  As an adult wether he is not very friendly to most people, rarely comes forward to interact or connect with anyone, and he really just prefers to eat while the others work.  He is not one of the herd protectors - even though I suspect our Queen, Bonnie has been trying to get him to step into that role for some time now.  He continues to refuse.  He is often the first goat to spook over any little sound.  He is very sensitive and still very attached to his mother Cassi.  He is rarely far from her and he gets very jealous of his younger siblings.  I like to describe Anakin as a dreamer - much as myself.  He often appears to me to be daydreaming and I have been able to amuse myself for hours just watching him go about living his life in such a carefree way.  Due to his love for munching all day long, and not a ton of ambition for activity, he is also now rather chubby.  Perhaps it is due to the fact that he knows he is very special and important to me, and also that he is quite spoiled, but it always seems to me that Anakin is smiling.  His presence gives me strength and stability.  Knowing he is there helps me stay connected to myself and grounded.  Anakin, and a few others who share this role, very well may have the most important job in the entire herd - and that is to hold space for me, making it possible for me to do the work that I do.  These special souls, my "dirty little secrets", help me to stay present, focused and connected.  In some ways I feel that these special ones are an extension of myself, allowing me to deepen my connections with all things.  Many of my personal support animals also bond, connect and develop relationships with other people.  Anakin it seems, is quite content to spend his time only deeply connecting to me and no one else.  His arrival on my birthday was a gift, just as each and everyday that I have shared with him has been.  I am so grateful to him for the love and support that he gives to me so freely.  He ensures that each and everyday I feel loved, needed and so supported.  What a blessing, and a special gift indeed. <3

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