Goat Lady Stories corresponding to paintings in Goat Lady Gallery

"UNDERFOOT">>Goat Lady, who has a small farm and numerous farm animals near the mouth of Possum Trot Holler, also takes in homeless animals. Her farm is known by locals as Goat Lady's Dog Shelter Farm. Over the years, her many animals became her Family and the very Center and Purpose of Her Life. Goat Lady and her Very Best Friend, a White German Shepherd named Lucy, begin and end each day taking many of the Animal Family on a vigorous walk through the mountains and bottom lands, beside the creeks and rivers, across the fields and along the ridges of Possum Trot County.  However, Goat Lady simply MUST enjoy her over-sized mug of coffee before gathering her Family and heading out for the morning's adventures. Sometimes, the otherwise simple task of brewing a fresh pot on her old wood cook stove and filling her enamelware mug  is more challenging than expected.  This morning is one of those times when several of her Beloved Family Members are "UNDERFOOT"!! "Land Sakes!" Goat Lady exclaims cheerfully!! " This is one benefit of having a tiny cabin! We ALL stay nice and CLOSELY KNIT together!!"  Goat Lady was finally able to reach her mug as Lucy noticed a broken egg and the yoke easing slowly toward the edge of the Hoosier cabinet. Goat Lady did not notice the mishap.  She had kicked off her purple bunny slippers, yanked on her socks, laced up her hiking boots, and, with her steaming mug of coffee in hand, was already on her way to the barn to greet the rest of her Animal Family...and to Welcome a BRAND NEW DAY on their Little Dog Shelter Farm!

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"NEW ADDITION">>> It was in the wee hours of the morning when tiny Mia (also known as "Luvs Her Mama"), a seven week old kitten, would set out on her journey...all by herself...in the dark...to find Goat Lady's Little Dog Shelter Farm. The path she needed to take follows a rocky creek running through a very deep, damp and chilly ravine shrouded by a thick and tangled forest.  But HAPPILY that path eventually carried Mia to the smooth weathered planks of a low water bridge and into Goat Lady's cheerfully sunny barnyard.  Finally, her journey behind her, and as the brilliant late summer sun had just risen over Southfork Ridge, Mia was taking the last few steps over the bridge and her very first step onto the soft warm soil of Goat Lady's Little Dog Shelter Farm.

Goat Lady (with her steaming mug of coffee in hand) and Lucy, along with several of their Animal Friends, were coming down from the porch and were heading to the barn when she saw the tiny wide-eyed kitten, still shivering, at the edge of the bridge. "It's Mia! Welcome,Tiny One!" she spoke softly and gently so the little kitten could feel assured. Goat Lady had been notified that Mia may be coming to LIVE FOREVER with the rest of her Animal Family, and she had already prepared a Special Place for the tiny newcomer. All of the animals in the barnyard were about to run to Mia and JOYFULLY welcome her.  However, Goat Lady instructed them to be still and wait so that Mama Ellie and her five kittens could be the first to approach Mia. "Mia has been on a long journey, and she has been separated from her Mama" Goat Lady explained to them. "I reckon we need to be patient and give her a chance to get used to all of us." Goat Lady was smiling to herself imagining how Little Mia must be feeling as Mama Ellie cleaned her, cuddled her, and began feeding her alongside her other five kittens.  "I do declare!" Goat Lady whispered to her Best Friend Lucy the White German Shepherd.  " Mia already 'Luvs Her New Mama'".

Quietly Goat Lady turned toward the barn once again to greet the rest of her Animal Family.   And before long, Goat Lady, Lucy, numerous dogs, two of the horses and the donkey, Daisey the cow,  Judy the Toggenberg, and Billy Boer Buck were, along with a couple piglets, setting out for their regular vigorous walk through the beautiful countryside surrounding Possum Trot. "Everyday is Special" Goat Lady spoke with a smile and slightly misty eyes. "But this morning is the beginning of a BRAND NEW VERY SPECIAL DAY..for ALL of us...and especially for little Mia.

 Tiny Mia (still to this day also known as "Luvs Her Mama") snuggled even more closely...into her Special Place...among the other five kittens as Mama Ellie cared for them ALL...in the warmth of. the morning sunshine...back in the barnyard...at Goat Lady's Little Dog Shelter Farm.

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   Please Note>  The Preceding Painting and Story are dedicated to My Little Mia (aka. "Luvs Her Mama") who went to live with Goat Lady at 2:20 AM Sept. 21, 2009 at age 7 weeks 24 hours. 

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  "Morning Walk ">>> Knowing Tiny Newcomer Mia (aka. Luvs Her Mama) was safe and secure in the care of Mama Ellie, Goat Lady, Lucy and an array of her other Animal Family Members headed out from the Little Dog Shelter Farm for their daily Morning Walk. "Land Sakes!" Goat Lady laughed, sighing deeply.  "What a Beautiful late summer morning!"  All the animals were energized by the pure mountain air as the motley crew followed the dirt road which skirts the lower edge of Round Bottom and passes by the Old Mill and the "Eggs-ellent Poultry Farm".  Lil' Red, believing himself to be the Alpha Male,  took the lead as always. And the Old Mare was especially frisky as she nibbled playfully on Goat Lady's neck! Goat Lady and her Animal Family were having such a good time, none of them noticed the little polecat who had joined the parade.  Petunia had been watching Goat Lady and the Animal Friends for many weeks while concealed by bushes and undergrowth.  However, this morning the temptation was too great, and the little skunk fell in behind the column...albeit for just a little while. Before many days passed, Goat Lady and Her Friends would become quite aware of Petunia's presence.  But for now, Goat Lady was enjoying a deep seated feeling of well-being for Tiny Mia who that morning had come "over the bridge" ;and she was eager to see Mia become acquainted with her BRAND NEW LIFE on Goat Lady's Little Dog Shelter Farm .

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