Ajax
Type: Mixed Alpine/Pygmy Wether
Born: ?
Height: 24"
Weight: Solid
Color: White with paint markings, all white winter coat
Position: Fire Clearance
Ajax was one of our first three goats. They came from an inhospitable lot near the railroad tracks in Rialto, CA. We don't know the history of these goats, but we do know they were free and they have a much happier life here at the pack station. The original idea was to use them as pack animals. Goats can carry up to 25% of thier body weight and will follow thier people like dogs. This would be perfect for quick trips to the Main Canyon area with groceries, bedding etc. Ajax may never be up to this task, but his babies will. The other reason for having goats is for fire clearance. Goats are often used to clear grass, herbaceous plants and even poison oak from around country homes.
Mark Woodyard of cabin #130, one of Eric's brothers, is the one who told us about the free goats. He didn't know any more about them than we did, other than the location, and we wound up having to catch them ourselves. Mark was a big help with this and he cornered the first goat - Ajax. He and Greg got a rope around his horns and from then on he was quite obedient. Ajax hopped right into Sue's truck on his own.
Ajax had some troubles adjusting to his new home. He came to the pack station a "buck", that is, his manhood was intact. He was overly protective of his does and even knocked down Greg to keep him away. Shortly after that the vet changed him from a buck to a "wether".
Now that Ajax knows we are allies, and now that his hormones are under control, he has become quite a character. He loves attention and will rub his horns noisily on the corral fencing to get it. He is very popular with his public and won't let any other goat steal attenion away from himself. He even has a favorite toothbrush that we use to scratch between his horns.
Ajax was named after Mike "The Fiddler" Pauro of cabin #80; Mike's alter-ego is named "Ajax Moon". Both Ajax and Mike are old goats, and they both have long white beards on thier chins.