All kidding and jocularity aside, GoatWorld began to really take shape in early 2000. I had signed up to a goat list to get more information on the health and management of our goats. One night, a post came in from an individual who was having trouble with a sick goat. For some reason, no one responded to this person and subsequently his goat died.
A few days later, there was talk on the list about this unfortunate incident and someone mentioned having a network of phone numbers available so that something like this would not happen again. It took me about 5 minutes to create a web site, an idea, and get it posted on the web site. Within a matter of a week, there were at least 10 people nationwide listed. Thus began the Goat911 "Capri-Medic" program.
At first there was a bit of resistance to the Goat911 program as there were already a great number of sites who had been in existence much longer than GoatWorld, but who had never had this idea. So there may have been some jealousy, hard feelings, kicking ones self in the butt for not having come up with the idea before. But above the din and shouting rose the true spirit of Goat911 - to help save goats lives. Not to make money. Not to spark interest in the GoatWorld site. To help save goats lives.
Almost 6 months later, the Goat911 Network has grown and expanded to include the Goat911 Emergency Evacuation Network; a network of individuals who have offered to provide shelter for goats and other livestock in the event of a natural disaster. So far, we have not had to use the evacuation network but it is there just in case.
So in a nutshell, what I am saying here is that GoatWorld.com has grown from a simple Valentine present from my wife to a very enjoyable and educating endeavor. It's not a hobby by any means as the amount of information that needs to be added grows with each passing day. I know that I've come a very long way from my adolescent years as a 4-H member. I've even been recently asked to perhaps become a 4-H leader in our immediate area.
GoatWorld has become a great joy and both my wife and I have met several very genuine people. Neither of us can thank you good people for helping to make GoatWorld a great site.
