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May 8, 2021: A Conversation with Ranger

Alys: Ranger, how are you doing?
Ranger: Fine. Got a hay pellet for me?
A: Yes, here you go.
R: Got any more?
A: Yes, but this is all you get for now.
R: I get more later?
A: Yes.
R: When?
A: Later, Later.
R: You going down to see the horses?
A: Yes. You want to come along?
R: Yes, yes,
A: Let’s go.
R: Sure seems different around here with Stormy gone.
A: How so?
R: Lonely.
A: I’m trying to alleviate your loneliness.


Ranger on gas shed

R: A pellet here, a pellet there, what’s it matter?
A: A great deal, I am sure.
R: So what are the future plans?
A: Regarding?
R: The animal situation here.
A: Well Ranger, I think that I am going to have to find you a mate before winter. You need the companionship.
R: And the body heat.
A: Yes. So I will get going on this.
R: Promise?
A: Promise. I have to get Pete’s approval.
R: Oh.
A: Yeah, I know he isn’t as fond of goats as he should be.
R: I don’t know why. Peaches, Rover, Stormy, were all very companionable.
A: Yes. And you too.
R: I don’t like the way he handles me. He’s sometimes a bit rough.
A: I am going to work with you on giving the drench.
R: I’d appreciate that.
A: Yes, we are going to use treats and the clicker. And I am going to build you an agility course and work with you on it.
R: Yes, yes.
A: Let me digress: what kind of mate do you want?
R: Another alpine, of course.
A: And gender?
R: What do you mean by gender?
A: Sex.
R: I can’t have sex. The other veterinarian took care of that.
A: Ahem, male or female.
R: Female.
A: This would also work well for us because if we get a doe, then we can resume getting milk.
R: Provided she has babies.
A: Yes, that’s the way it works.
R: And, of course, you want girl babies.
A: Either way, we’ll find homes for the offspring.
R: And keep one or two babies?
A: Keep one baby. And we’ll make sure the enclosure is dog proof.
R: Yes, Ryder cannot be trusted.
A: No, she cannot.
R: And Shadow can learn bad things from Ryder.
A: That’s true.
R: So it’s going to take some time to get it all set up.
A: This summer. We aren’t going anywhere, so we’ll get the enclosure situation squared away.
R: I have one more request.
A: What’s that?
R: My skin gets flaky and itchy. Can you do something about this?
A: Yes I can. But you have to cooperate and let me put aloe vera on your nose.
R: Okay. I will.
A: And I have a request.
R: What’s that?
A: Tinni is working hard to be your buddy. Could you be more accepting of his advances?
R: Yes.
A: All right then. I promise you that we are going to have a good summer together.

Next: 128. 5/9/21: Bushwhacking 101

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