Tiggles and Giggles have more than 200 followers on their Facebook page, which was handy when they had to call on volunteers to pitch in and pick up toxic acorns from their paddock.
The two sizable Saanen wethers with rather impressive sets of horns belong to former Waimea Intermediate teacher and now private tutor, Lucy Pritchard, who last year created a Facebook page for her two “spoilt pet goats” because they had so many people stopping to say hello to them as they passed their paddock.
At this time of year, the curious pair are confined in a smaller paddock because a large oak tree in the corner of the bigger paddock drops acorns that are toxic to many animals, though that does not stop the goats eating them.
So, Lucy has been posting pleas for volunteers to pick up acorns since they began their autumn drop and has been grateful for the response. One day she had an elderly couple helping her pick up the toxic nuts and she has had working bees to pick them up so that the goats can get back to their larger paddock once the treehas finished its drop.
Lucy has owned goats as pets since her 20s and has had a few over the years. Security around her goats has become tighter with netting and barbed wire after she lost 10-year-old triplets to a dog attack five years ago.
Now the paddock is home to Tiggles, 5, and Giggles, 4 – the latter named by her class at the time because its goat chatter sounded like it was giggling. The pair adore a smooch and never tire of the numerous visitors they have through the day.
“Heaps of parents bring their toddlers to see them – every day, I see them.”
Lucy says the goats are loving animals that are full of personality and intelligence – and they are good friends.
“It’s so enjoyable to care for them and help them have the best lives they can have. I just love seeing them happy.”
