AW_Winter24_Issuu by The Sopris Sun

THEY’RE GOOD ... NOT BAAAAD!

Who would have thought that goats could help to save our planet? Well they can and that’s the reason why goats are G. O. A. T. s (greatest of all time).

Believe it or not, goats are one of the most valuable natural resources that exist, especially now with the onset of global warming. The multi-talented caprine can help to lessen the impacts of climate change by reducing the risk of wildfires, help to restore the soil and control invasive plants. The science behind how and why goats are well-suited for this type of work is interesting and widely available to read about.

Locally, RFTA has taken advantage of using goats to work along different parts of the Rio Grande Trail. It’s part of RFTA’s “Integrated Weed Management Plan” in which they’re trying to shift the mindset away from spraying.

RFTA has said the this is the eighth year in a row they have contracted with Goat Green LLC, to graze approximately 450 goats through the lower 20 miles of the railroad corridor. In the past, folks down valley have probably seen Lani, Donny, and their dogs attending to the goats while they graze outside of Carbondale along County Rd. 100. When they arrived in August this year, RFTA had Goat Green work the goats in the Emma area, and along the stretch near Rock Bottom Ranch.

Lani Malmberg owns Goat Green LLC. She has been professionally grazing goats for 20 years and has over 1,000 goats. She works them with her son, Donny Benz and their dogs. According to their website, “they help

manage large acreages and inaccessible areas in the Rocky Mountain West, cities, towns, and countryside including Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, California, and surrounding areas. To learn more about Lani, Donny and Goat Green, go to their website at https://goatseatweeds.com

This year, a few new faces were parked along the trail next to the goats on Hookspur Lane. Andrew Bowler and his border collie, Juno. Andrew originally met Lani while they were working at adjacent ranches in Pescadero, CA. “I had a good opportunity to spend some time helping Lani who was stuck there by herself because Donny had to leave,” he said. Lani eventually invited Andrew to come work with Goat Green in Colorado for a bit, which he obviously did.

Andrew started his own business recently, named West Coast Grazing Company. It’s run under Andrew’s business which is Andrew Bowler, LLC. He is now working with and learning from Lani and has started his own herd which are mixed in with Lani’s. According to Andrew, “my goats are descendants of Lani’s goats, and her goats are the best,” Andrew concluded.

As Andrew and Juno methodically move the goat herd down the Rio Grande trail, he also must move and reset the fencing. When the goats have finished cleaning up one section, they move on to clean up a new section. The fencing allows the goat herd to remain contained in one area at a time.

“It’s been a crazy two years,” Andrew said. I have a dream of working side by side with Goat Green to the point where I have enough goats to manage swaths of National Forest lands. “My goal is to have as much positive influence on as much land as possible.”

Photos and Story by Jane Bachrach

Life Imitates Art ...

Photos by Jane Bachrach

FACE-OFF AND THE WINNER IS...

SUNSHINE!

It was obvious that Sunshine warmed the hearts of readers when they voted for their favorite animal face in the Animal Writes Face-off contest. Out of 28 entries, Sunshine (#15) won by a landslide, so congratulations to Sunshine and her human mom, Joan Isenberg, for participating in the Face-off.

And the runners up are...

Two charismatic canines came in second and third place, so congratulations also go out to Mumu Felton (#17), our runner-up and to Scout Foss (#25), our third-place winner.

Mumu Felton

Marylou, Mumu’s human, said This is Mumu. She was rescued from a junk yard. She was on a 6-inch choke chain, restrained in a wire cage with no food or water. Mumu found love & nurturing with her new family. Happy Day!

Joan said that she always knew Sunshine was special, adding that “she is also pretty vain”. We happen to have the purrfect prize for our vain little winner, and it’s a feline-friendly gift basket.

Scout Foss

Scout Foss sent us a message himself saying this: Though I may be approaching my 16th birthday at the end of the summer, I am aging like a classic car, especially one where I can stick my head out of the window. A little gray and some weird growths haven’t stopped me from jumping on the bed, romping in the fields, or stealing pizza off the table. I’ve still got it! Enjoy the close-up. If you get too close, I may lick your face or better yet, inside your mouth... my favorite! Yours sweetly, Scout Foss

Thanks to everyone who participated and voted in our competition! We had such a tremendous response from participants and readers that we decided to have another animal-friendly contest! The results from that heart-warming competition will be revealed in the next edition of Animal Writes which comes out during the most loveable week of the year. See page 7 for details.

THE MOST LOVEABLE CONTEST!

The next edition of Animal Writes comes out the day before Valentine’s Day, which is February 13, 2025. With that in mind, our next contest will be heartwarming! The theme is love, so our next winner will be the most loveable pet.

It could be an animal’s expression, body language or body position, i.e., being snuggled up in a blanket, etc. Whatever it is, when you see the animal, you’re naturally drawn to it. There is something about the animal that warms your heart and that’s what we’re looking for. It’s the animal that makes you want to reach out and hug it, but you can’t because it’s only a photo in a newspaper.

Feel free to use props if you think that will entice our judges and readers to vote for your entry.

Please send your entries to animalwrites@soprissun.com. The deadline is January 12th. Submit only one photo per animal, although you can submit two animals in one photo.

In the Summer of 2012 Fernando came to R.J. Paddywacks at 8-weeks-old. One of our long time customers, Carrie Andel, had been watching a momma cat tend to her litter in a rock pile outside of Basalt. Right at eight weeks when the kittens were weened the mama took off and Carrie scooped up the kittens and was heading to the Eagle Shelter with all four of them. Luckily she stopped by the store to show off who she was rescuing. Fernando came out from the back of the travel crate to introduce himself to me with a full on “I am Fernando” call from his eyes.

With the good fortune he was brought to R.J. Paddywacks in El Jebel by his rescuer, where he resided his entire 12-years of blessed life with the R.J. Paddywacks crew, while enjoying daily interaction.

Fernando was not your normal cat. At 19 pounds he at times was larger than many of the dogs coming into the store. Being raised in a store where dogs are the ruling force around him most of the time he was very comfortable with canines and would actually play wrestle with Soliel and Josie at the store.

Fernando, “the most beloved cat in the valley,” is survived by all of us two and four legged critters here in the valley. Your loving support for his loss is phenomenal and to make an impact please donate or adopt from your local animal shelter. Eric B. R.J. Paddywacks

A ROUND-TRIP TICKET

We all love it when the cows come thru Carbondale in the spring and fall. When folks hear the cattle calls and clip clop of hooves they pour out of homes and businesses to snap photos and enjoy the unique scene that harkens back to the days when this kind of event was routine. It’s a show of sorts for the fans that are watching. But does our audience know or even think about what happens after the show is over and all that remains on the roads is a bunch of cow poop. If you’re curious, join us on this annual round-trip journey. It won’t cost you a cent.

Photos and Story by Jane

Bachrach

Spring

Most of the cattle that occupy the pastures along CR 100 belong to the Nieslanik family. This is the herd you will usually see passing thru the Town of Carbondale twice a year. They head up to the high country in the late spring after calving season. The calves must be old enough to keep up with their moms. With the help of family, friends and dogs, the Nieslanik’s gather the cattle, guide the herd thru town, cross 133, then head over the bridge at CRMS and continue up to the sorting pens next to Crystal River Ranch.

Continued on next page

Fall

The cows will eat, drink and spend the night there.

Riders saddle up the next morning, bring out the dogs and guide the herd up to Marion Gulch. The cows spend the summer there, eating, drinking, sleeping and enjoying the company of their bovine friends and family.

In the fall, usually October, the cattle are brought back down to the sorting pens where the ranchers separate the cows according to their ear tags. This takes a few days because there are plenty of stragglers, many who come down to the pens on their own. When the ranchers are confident that no cow is left behind, they guide them home, taking the same route.

SPEAK!

PHOTOS

JANE BACHRACH

Holiday Pet Safety

by Dr. Taylor May, DVM, Red Hill Animal Health Center

With the colder weather comes the holiday season. This means gatherings around rich delectable meals, beautiful decorations, and a variety of seasonal houseplants and floral arrangements adorning your home. Don’t let a veterinary emergency ruin your celebrations. Below are some tips to avoid unexpected health issues with your cat or dog during this holiday season.

It’s a good idea to avoid giving your pet any human foods as even “safe” foods can cause gastrointestinal upset. Familiarize yourself with common human foods that may be toxic to your pet such as chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, xylitol (sugar alcohol in some sweets), and unbaked yeast

dough. This is not a complete list so do some research to prepare yourself before your next big gathering, and make sure all your guests know to avoid feeding table scraps. Consider having some pet specific holiday treats for your furry friends so no one feels left out.

Be mindful when decorating for the holidays. Cats and dogs may be particularly drawn to bright shiny ornaments, tinsel, and gift wrap. Breakable ornaments may cause injury, while ingested objects can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and/or blockage. Cats, especially, may be inclined to climb the holiday tree and risk knocking it over. Christmas lights pose a risk for electric shock if chewed. Tree water can also cause GI upset. Consider keeping decorations elevated and secure your tree to the wall, doorframe, or ceiling and/or block it off with a decorative fence to minimize risk. Pay attention to the types of flowers and plants you decorate your home with during this season as well. Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, and amaryllis, although lovely, can be quite dangerous for your furry family members. The ASPCA has a complete list of toxic plants to familiarize yourself with. Visit the aspca.org or the Pet Poison Helpline at petpoisonhelpline.com for more information.

The holiday season is meant to be fun and festive with family, friends, and fur-babies. Let’s keep it that way by taking these precautions to keep your pets safe. Always call your trusted local veterinarian if your pet develops concerning clinical signs.