"Wally" WALLISCHE GOAT BUCK painting

"Wally" VALAIS BLACKNECK GOAT BUCK 

~ A tribute to a very special friend ~ 

original oil on board painting 35  x 45 cm

by © Karrel Christopher          

ART website: http://karrelchristopher.com/
Art on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karrel-Christopher-ART-Photography/379579508720158
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~ In the last few years, I have been very fortunate to spend a great deal of time with goats of all shapes, sizes, breeds and ages. Discovering their unique personalities and sweet loving nature has been joyous and life changing. Admittedly, they have become some of my favorite Earthlings! Most people only meet goats briefly at a petting zoo or local farm fair. On those occasions, adults and children alike will marvel at the adorable baby Kid goats prancing about with their mothers Does in the spring and summer. Sadly, these special beings are soon forgotten. The goat Kids grow up fast and too often there is no responsible plan for their lifetime needs as happy individuals. Too often considered disposable things-- irresponsibly bred for mere food, product and entertainment. Many babies are never registered and are just sold direct to the butcher for MEAT at a cheap price per head or pound. The females typically end up ENSLAVED in a DAIRY facility for PROFIT. The young Does get registered with painful ear tags and at most have their horn buds burned off for human convenience. They are kept pregnant year after year by natural mating or artificial insemination. Their babies are taken after birth so humans can steal, process and profit from their MILK. These females are milked twice a day (by hand or machine) until they are no long profitable producers. Many suffer from painful mastitis, deficiencies and other health problems. Some retired Does might be lucky to go to a hobby farm, petting zoo or rescue…or but often there are not enough homes for placement – so they are killed. Some of the fancier long hair breed of goats will be exploited for the WOOL, many others for fleeces and skin.
**What happens to the MALE GOATS?? Male kids may become sexually active as early as six weeks old and soon need to be separated from the female kids to avoid unplanned pregnancies. The males can be used for STUD purposes in their first autumn, although late born kids may not be ready until later in the breeding season. Typically, only registered pedigree Bucks are considered valuable for breeding. The remaining males are of NO USE to the DAIRY INDUSTRY. If they are not butchered early for MEAT - they will get registered, receive ear tags and usually have their horn buds burned off too. If not wanted for stud service they are likely to be neutered in a brutal fashion by one of agriculture’s standard industry methods: crude scalpel, rubber banding or Burdizzo (large clamping pliers) – without anesthesia (often times not done by a veterinarian). Male goats kept for mature MEAT are neutered to avoid a so-called undesirable strong musky taste in their flesh due to hormones. Many consider the more humane veterinary surgical method with anesthesia too inconvenient and too costly. So this leaves the remaining male goats to the eventual fate of a death sentence or in EXILE in a remote location. Un-neutered male goats in seasonal rut can display spunky, challenging behavior and typically have a strong musky scent that many folks don’t like. But when treated with kindness and respect, they can be very interesting and enjoyable companions when people have reasonable expectations. Intact male goats need patient and knowledgeable caretakers to attend to their needs in captivity. Unfortunately there are too few dedicated caregivers and these magnificent bucks are set out afar, away from people and Does. They are the forgotten ones, often suffering great loneliness, neglect, misery and filthy conditions.  Wild, lost and abandoned goats also meet survival challenges with increasingly less available territory to inhabit due to human expansion and domination; lack of food and water, poisons, pollutants, the threat of human hunters and other predators. Practically all goats - whether in a hobby farm, petting zoo, agricultural fair; in dairy, meat and wool industries or feral - are considered property, livestock or pests with no rights for a free, dignified and happy life. In one way or another, human and animal lives are unavoidably entwined and we need to create a responsible coexistence. Animals are forced to rely on humans in some manner and are at their mercy. Tragically, too often we cruelly betray them. It is our responsibility to kindly consider their perspective, their desires and needs – and to care for them with the same respect and compassion that we desire ourselves. They are sensitive living beings who cherish safety, family, freedom and LIFE. They are NOT ours to USE as a source of food or product or amusement. Please see them, get to know them and appreciate them for their wonderful character, beauty and spirit.
They are part of our EARTH FAMILY and deserve our kindness and protection. ~ kc
ALL BEINGS CHERISH SAFETY, FAMILY, FREEDOM & LIFE
Live, rejoice and prosper VEGAN