Einhorn - Go, Goats!

Text copyright 2019 by Kama Einhorn

Photographs copyright 2019 by Janet Holmes unless otherwise noted

Illustrations 2019 by Tara Wright

All rights reserved. For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to or to Permissions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 3 Park Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10016.

hmhbooks.com

Cover photograph 2016 by Janet Holmes

Cover design by Opal Roengchai

A portion of the authors proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit Catskill Animal Sanctuary.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

Names: Einhorn, Kama, 1969 author

Title: Go, goats! / by Kama Einhorn ; with photos by Janet Holmes.

Description: Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, [2019] | Series: True tales of rescue | Audience: Age 710. | Audience: Grade 4 to 6.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018052147 | ISBN 9781328767066 (paper over board)

Subjects: LCSH: GoatsJuvenile literature. | Animal sanctuariesJuvenile literature. | Animal rescueJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC SF383.35 .E36 2019 | DDC 636.3/9dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018052147

Authors Note: This book is inspired by the true stories of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, and its full of real facts about goats and sanctuary life. But its also creative nonfictionbecause goats dont talk, at least not in ways that humans understand! Some goats mentioned are combinations of several different ones, and certain details (including locations, events, and timing) have been changed, and some human dialogue has been reconstructed from memory.

This book is not a manual on animal rescue, nor is it meant to provide any actual directions on caring for goats or any other animal. Every situation is different. If you see a creature in trouble, contact a licensed animal rescue group right away.

eISBN 978-0-358-16433-3
v1.1019

For Kathy Stevens and the many humane humans at Catskill Animal Sanctuary

A sanctuary is a place where living beings are kept safe from harm and free to be themselves.

Humans have created animal sanctuariesprotected places for injured, orphaned, or threatened animals. Some three hundred farm animalsgoats, sheep, cows, horses, pigs, donkeys, ducks, geese, chickens, and turkeyslive at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.

Most animal sanctuaries exist because of harm done by humans. Animals at a farm sanctuary are rescued from other farmsusually ones on which animals are used or killed for foodbecause they are being neglected or mistreated. Some even escape on their own!

The people who run sanctuaries are serious about their work, but they all wish they didnt have to do it in the first place. They wish that animals lived in a better, safer world.

At sanctuaries, humans lend a helping hand.

Theres plenty of heartbreak in any sanctuarys story, but theres also lots of happy news. Most sanctuary staff people teach others about the animals, and they share ways to protect them. The more you know about why sanctuaries are important and what people can do to help, the better off all animalsin your neighborhood and all over the planetwill be.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary is in Saugerties, New York.

Sanctuary Steps

Each sanctuary is different, but they all do some or all of the following things, in the order below. Catskill Animal Sanctuary handles all four phases:

• Rescue: Humans step in, remove animals from harm, and bring them to safety. Rescue situations are usually emergencies.

• Recovery: Licensed caregivers treat the animals for injuries or illnesses, create a recovery plan, and let them rest and heal.

• Rehabilitation: The caregivers help the animals feel safer and become happier. Sometimes animals learn that from one another.

• Release: While some sanctuaries release animals into the wild, a farm sanctuary aims to let many of the animals roam freely.

Hey, Kids!

I see that Camp Kindness has just begun, and here you are under my favorite weeping willow tree. I remember it from other summers, because goats have very good memories. About thirty of us live here at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, so thats a lot of memoriessome good, some bad.

Im Lucia (pronounced loo-CHEE-uh). Im a member of the Underfoot Family here; were a group of about fifty goats, sheep, chickens, hens, roosters, geese, and ducks (and one potbellied pig). We roam freely throughout the sanctuary, coming and going from our stalls as we please. We Underfoot goats are like a goat gang! For a long time I was kind of the leader of the goats and sheep, but Ive retired to a quieter life.

Allow me to welcome you to my home, campers!

Be warnedgoats will nibble any paper you may have in your pockets, although Im more likely to nuzzle your hands gently with my fuzzy, floppy lips.

Youll start camp every morning under this trees shade, and then the whole sanctuary will become your classroom. As you spend the day on activities and projects, we animals will be enjoying our recess... sorry! Thats about all we do around here, to tell you the truth.

I live just over there, in the Main Barn. Youll come over later. If youve read Charlottes Web, you can picture what its like. I suppose Im a lot like Charlotte, the kind, wise, and gentle old spider. I even have a next-door neighbor like Wilbur the pig.

I sleep in a stall with four sheep: Scully, Junior, Sophie, and cloudy-eyed Hannah, who is nearly blind. Goats get along well with sheep, and the five of us are considered senior citizens. Were roommates because, now that our bodies are aging, we all eat the same kind of soft, special food. I get along with everyone; Im a pretty easygoing lady. I just had my eighteenth birthday! I have arthritis (my knees get very sore!), a very sensitive belly, and bad teethbut most days, I feel pretty good.

The humans will be your camp counselors, but Ill also be one of your teachers. You have to sit quietly with me and watch me closely to understand what I have to say, but I promise I will share things that no human can.

Look up. This weeping willow tree were under is about seventy feet tall and really thick. As you see, its branches droop low, and the long, silver-green leaves look like feathers. They also look like tears falling down a persons face! When you stand near the trunk, its as if youre in a secret, safe house with soft, swaying walls. The branches wave in the breeze like curtains, and their shade keeps us cool all summer. If this tree were a person, it would be called gentle and generous. Its so peaceful under here, its like a mini-sanctuary in the middle of the big sanctuary.