Meet The Goats Monday: Introducing Lester P. Smay

Welcome to Monday, dear reader. I hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed the autumn season. Today, I am introducing our sweet boy, Lester, aka Lester P. Smay. Don't ask me what the P stands for; it's just what I call him. Lester is the last of our Boer goats. The Bean raised Boer goats for a few years, but they soon fell out of favor because they lacked personality. Lester is the son of Waddles. Waddles has gone on to live with a new family along with Alice and Little Alice. Eric wanted to sell Lester as well, but we all know what happens to neutered meat goats. 

Lester was born rather frail on a very cold, stormy night. Waddles developed a terrible case of mastitis and could not care for him. I took him in and bottle-fed him for ten weeks. Once you care for something for that long, with that level of intensity, a bond is formed. When Eric told me Les was going to be sold, I launched a campaign to save him like no other. Eric finally gave in and told me to find a good use for Lester, or he would have to go. Other than being a companion for our billy goat, I was at a loss. Then, inspiration struck, and I spent two years working on a children's book about Lester, Waddles, and caring for him. I hired an editor who turned my little story into something that I am quite proud of and can't wait to have published. Ashleigh Bowman is illustrating the book. Right now, I am waiting for Ashleigh to finish the illustrations; then it is off to the publisher. This whole process has taught me patience, if nothing else. 

So, without further delay, here's Lester. Les is now three years old. He is the only Boer goat on the farm. He is spoiled, a treat hound, entitled, bossy, and pushy. He thinks nothing of pushing anyone and everyone out of his way to be first in line for anything. If her were a female, he would be the barn leader. I'm pretty sure Lester views himself as second in command because of his relationship with Sebastian. Sebastian is our billy goat. Les is downright rude with the ladies and the babies. I scold him all the time for his pushy behavior, but he does not care. He looks at me like I am beneath him, and he keeps being rude. 

Aside from being rude, Lester is funny. He has quite a unique personality. He enjoys playing with Sebastian, and until she went to live with the Williams family, Horns was his bestie. Les seems to attach himself to whoever is in charge. He likes to enforce the herd's rules; he just doesn't want to be the one to make them. I'm quite certain Lester views the fact that he was bottle-fed as a privilege. He doesn't just see it as a privilege; he also believes it puts him higher in the pecking order. My boy is a bit of a temperamental snot if I'm being transparent. However, he is sweet when he wants to be and enjoys being the center of attention. When he finds out he is the main character in my book, he will be insufferable. 

Lester likes treats. The more treats, the better. He has no discerning palate. He will eat whatever is in my hand. Apples, bananas, licorice, tobacco, animal crackers, goat treats, and peppermints are his favorites. He likes sweet feed best and will knock down anyone who gets in his way to the feeding trough. Lester spends most of his time napping. He prefers napping in the sun, but also enjoys a soft pile of hay in the barn. He will roughhouse with the other goats, but he prefers to save his energy for showing off how important he really is around here. It's as if playing a good game of head-butting is beneath him. Lester does not like head scratches, sour apple gummies, or vanilla wafers. He doesn't like being singled out from the herd, but he enjoys being the center of attention in the middle of the herd. He's a bit of a diva. 

Lester will always have a home here. He is a good boy who got off to a rough start, but is proof of what love and care can do. Until his book is published, he enjoys his quiet pasture with Sebastian. However, he is already planning his book release national tour. He plans to poop in every state. He is a goat with goals.  

On this October Monday, stay safe, be smart, I hope you enjoyed reading about Lester, and keep washing your hands.