Tank the Trail Finder: Facing fears and crossing bridges

I grin as I think back to last spring.

Tank was an adorable fuzz ball on hooves, who was full of energy and joy!

Just like all “kids”, he had to learn manners and how to fit into the human world, but he was eager to please and faced new experiences with great enthusiasm.

Well, except for one, and that “one thing” was crossing bridges.

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Most people might not know it, but goats are incredibly aqua phobic!

Really, no joke, their fear of water runs deep.

Goats will seemingly take flight to avoid stepping in a mud puddle and the mere thought of crossing a creek is a tragedy like no other!

So, since our area is loaded with creeks and streams that intersect hiking trails, I knew it would be important to introduce Tank to the idea of fording water at a young age.

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One sunny day last spring, Ella, Tank, and I set off on an adventure to cross the bridge that dangles just inches above Jackass Creek with the goal of teaching Tank that crossing water was indeed possible and not a life threatening experience.

We all enjoyed the hike, until it came time to cross the bridge.

First Ella and I crossed and waited for Tank, who refused to follow and cried for us to come back for him.

We figured we could wait him out and he would eventually have to cross in order to regain the comfort of his herd, but as all mothers know, when your kid is crying for you — you can’t hold out for long.

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So, we went back across the creek to comfort him, and come up with a new plan.

Attempt number two was a bit more forceful and I decided to put on Tank’s leash in order to lead him across the bridge.

Big sister Ella was to give reinforcement from behind.

As we stepped ever closer to the bridge, Tank dug in his little hooves and shook his head in complete refusal!

What ensued was no graceful act.

As I pulled and Ella pushed (an act filled with drama and complaining), Tank eventually made his way across the bridge!

Once he realized he was on the other side and was still alive, he actually looked back at the creek and then jumped for joy!

We gave him hugs and kisses and he grinned a big goat smile.

He was so proud of himself!

Although he now crosses water and hardly bats an eye, when I reflect back on his first bridge crossing and the elation that followed, I find it to be quite the metaphor for so many things we face in life.

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If you are reading this now, I must also congratulate YOU!

You have crossed the bridge and survived the transition our small town paper has made into a “bigger” and more technologically advanced form!

It may have been scary, you may have complained, and you may have even been drug kicking and screaming; but none the less you are here!

You, my friend, have crossed the bridge and survived to celebrate on the other side!

We are glad you are here with the herd and embracing the new adventures that await!

Adventures that (thanks to the more modern venue of the Shoshone News-Press) we now can share with you via video!

That’s right; Tank will soon be sporting a “goat pro” camera which will undoubtedly bring new life to our hikes throughout the year!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I feel confident that video from the stunningly beautiful far reaches of our county will leave us all speechless!

As always, we love to hear from you and welcome any comments or questions you may have. You can contact us via email at goattrekn@gmail.com, or follow our daily adventures by liking our Facebook page Goat Trek’n! Happy trails!