Everyday Heroes

Cindy, the baby goat saving mail carrying hero, and Midge

I have often stated that there is never a dull moment here at the farm. This year’s baby season has been full of angst, challenges, and emotionally draining. Even when things appear to be going well, things can go terribly wrong in the blink of an eye. Luckily, we have a circle of good people willing to jump in and go out of their way to help at a moment’s notice.

Our mail lady, Cindy, has turned into a good friend. Cindy and I went to high school together but didn’t connect until we began seeing each other daily when she picked up our orders to be shipped. Cindy and I have discovered we have a lot in common. We love animals, have small farms, share similar views on life, and laugh at the same things. Cindy is a pleasure to be around, and I enjoy her company. There is no pretense; I feel comfortable with her and enjoy our visits.

Cynthia takes an interest in our animals and their well-being. She brings our senior pitbull, Chubby, treats and gives him scratches. Cindy allowed me to borrow her incubator to hatch chicken eggs. She and her daughter have gotten goats from us, and Cleetus, the king pig, came from Cindy’s farm. The other day, when Cindy arrived to deliver our mail and pick up our orders, she pulled up to the pasture and told me a baby goat was out of the fence by the giant old oak tree and across the pond. I was already on my way to investigate when I heard a baby goat crying in distress.

As Cindy and I talked, Chubby, our senior pitbull, spotted the baby goat running along the fence line, crying. Every time the dear little thing would try to scramble under the fence to return to her mama, she would get zapped by the electric fence. The poor babe was panic-stricken and didn’t know what to do. My panic increased when I saw Chubs take off down the driveway in pursuit of the panicked baby goat. I knew there was no way I would make it to the baby first, and I was inside the fence.

I took off down the fence line chasing Chubby and yelling, “No, No, No, NO, NO, NO, NOOOOO!” Cindy said, “Oh, surely he won’t do anything to it?” I shouted over my shoulder, “Yes, yes, he will!” To her credit, Cynthia sprang into action. She gunned her Jeep and flew down the driveway chasing Chubby. Cindy was able to angle her Jeep and block Chubby from the path of the baby goat. Bribing Chubby with treats, she caught him by the collar and lured him inside her Jeep. She closed the door and ran to the baby goat. I was trying to get the poor little thing to come to me, but she was too frightened to get close to the fence by this time. Cindy picked up the baby goat, which just so happened to be Red’s little girl, Midge. In proper Cindy form, she gave her cuddles and kisses and announced, “I love baby goats! You know, this is my goat now? I’m going to keep it here, but this is my goat!”

Cindy then handed Midge over the fence to my waiting arms. I snuggled Midgie and informed her she was safe due to Cynthia’s quick thinking. Also, in proper Cynthia form, she laughed at my thanks and told me that if she had seen Chubby kill a baby goat, it would have ruined her day, maybe even her month. Having Chubby kill, Midge would have ruined me for an indefinite amount of time. I love that little goat. Thank goodness for Cindy! If she had not been there and had not been so quick to think and act, I am certain Chubs would have shaken poor little Midge to death. Cindy saved the day.

It would have been perfectly acceptable for Cindy to get in her Jeep and keep driving; our goat problem isn’t hers to deal with. However, Cindy is a good person and a good friend. She goes the extra mile to save a baby goat from being mulled to death and thinks nothing of it. In Cynthia’s book, it was simply the right thing to do. For this reason, among many others, I am happy Cindy is part of my world.

On this gloomy spring day, stay safe, be smart, appreciate the everyday heroes in your life, be grateful for those who go the extra mile because it is the right thing to do, and keep washing your hands.