Shirley
Type: Mixed Nubian/Boer Doe
Born: ?
Height: 28 "
Weight: Thick
Color: White w/ brown head & neck
Position: Fire Clearance
Shirley 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. Shirley may never be up to this task, but her 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 was able catch Shirley by the horns. He and Greg got a rope around her horns and walked her to Sue's truck. Ajax was already loaded so Sue kept him in the truck while Mark and Greg lifted Shirley into the camper shell.
Shirley doesn't have much of a personality but she is a good mother to Abigail and Leah. She usually just sits in the background looking very regal, surveying her herd.
Shirley is so named because we had already named Laverne, so her counterpart naturally had to be "Shirley".