Gentle goats

Prayers for pets – Of all our animal friends, goats are the most gentle.   They have a natural affinity with humans and when reared in proximity with us, they bond and rely on our company.  Turning a new male kid out this morning, he followed me without a collar or lead and then stayed with me for a while before running off to join the rest of the goats who were already out in the field.   Most goats will follow their carers, in fact, it’s sometimes difficult to get them to leave and go out to graze on their own – ‘please come with us’ – is a constant cry.   They are herd animals and see us as part of their herd.   Goats are non-aggressive and vegetarian.   They have only one set of teeth, on the lower jaw, so are never likely to bite.   Goats are caring with each other and have family ties that last a lifetime.   They are interesting and clever creatures whose ability to get out and go walkabout does make life difficult when they decide to venture out for a pub lunch!

Goats milk is easily digested and is recommended for people suffering from allergic conditions or who cannot tolerate cow’s milk.  It’s delicious too.   A goat likes to eat deep rooted plants and her desire for minerals from deep in the ground may be the reason the milk  is so beneficial to drink.    Most of the people in the Third World rely on goats for milk and food.   This wonderful creature will enable little children to survive when no other animal can tolerate the conditions.   There is a steady export market for goats to go abroad to improve the native stock.

Whilst young goats do make delightful companions for children, who they will follow about and enjoy being with, they are not suitable for ‘pets’ as such.   Goats should not be kept on their own – they need friends of their own kind.   A single goat will pine and also fret if she is forced to leave either people or her family or herd.    These are sensitive and charming creatures – which makes it all the more shocking that ritual slaughter of goats is still legal in the U.K.    Yes, you could ritually kill a goat  and no one would prosecute you.   There is a surprising amount of ignorance about Hal-al meat.  What does it mean?    It is meat from ritually slaughtered goats and sheep and is even sold in supermarkets now.    Is there justification for this in modern times?     Research done by a U.K. university has shown that goats bleed out just as quickly when stunned first.

Every week goats are sold for meat and will be ritually slaughtered.  It’s a horrific end for such a gentle creature.   The power of prayer and thought is immense.    Let’s send our prayers, thoughts and intentions for all the goats with whom we share this beautiful planet.   May they not have to suffer ritual slaughter and that humans will recognise their right to life and to a natural existence.