Dean the rescued baby goat kisses everyone he meets

Animals April 27, 2016
Dean the Goat

Dean the baby goat kisses everyone he meets at his home at Rancho Relaxo, a rescue farm in New Jersey. His personality is sweet and welcoming despite the hardships he has faced in his small amount of time on Earth.

Dean was rescued by Caitlin Steward, who received a text from a farmer down the street who knew she did rescue work. The text stated, “I have a male orphan baby goat if you know anybody looking for one to bottle feed. Mother had triplets and rejected him immediately.”

At first, Caitlin was reluctant to offer her help because of everything going on at the rescue farm. However, she wrote on Instagram, “the thought of this little one standing alone in an isolated crate made me sick to my stomach.”

So, Caitlin drove over to pick the little kid up and bring him home. She wrote, “The next day, I drove to the farm where Dean was born and was led to a small, dark barn that was set away from the main barns. Silence. Not a noise. As I entered the barn, the farmer pointed down and to the right. There he was. A miniature thing – locked in a rusty dog crate.”

Exactly one month ago, Dean was born. On that day, I was out celebrating my brother's birthday. I received a text from a local farmer stating that he had a reject. A reject… Dean's Mom is very old and barely produces milk. She immediately abandoned him instinctually. She knew she could not provide for him and she most likely was exhausted – not wanting to raise yet another kid. The next day, I drove to the farm where Dean was born and was led to a small, dark barn that was set away from the main barns. Silence. Not a noise. As I entered the barn, the farmer pointed down and to the right. There he was. A miniature thing – locked in a rusty dog crate. He was not crying. He was simply curled up against the back panel of the cage – staring. Without hesitation, I leaned down, unlocked the door and scooped him up. I said nothing. I walked to my car, got in, started the engine and drove off – with little Dean still tucked under my left arm. I cried the whole 8 minute drive back home. He was weak. He barely latched onto the nipple. The first night with us, he only drank a total of 2 ounces. I was very scared for him. One month since that day, … and he is the spunkiest spitfire of a baby goatie I have ever met. Thank you all for the love and support. Thank you all for helping with Dean's rescue by donating or networking. Love and light to you all. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation for Dean's birthday ($1 helps), please click the donate button on our website: ranchorelaxonj.com ❤️✌️ #deanthegoat #goatsofinstagram #loveandlight #animalrescue #rescuefarm

A post shared by Caitlin Cimini (@boochaces) on

Caitlin added that Dean wasn’t crying. Instead, he was laying in a corner staring at her. So, Caitlin picked him up, drove home, and began the work of nursing him back to health.

When people ask me why I do not want human children of my own, I simply explain how selfish that would be. My path is already laid out in front of me and my mission on this planet is so very clear. I will take my last breath still trying to provide voices to the voiceless and I am OK with that. Having children of my own would take away from the lives that I save daily. I never understood why I did not have the urge to raise human children. Never. I have never once fantasized about it – let alone wanted it in my life at all. When I was a child, my friends would brush the hair of their life-like dolls and force feed them bottles filled with air while I carried Pound Puppies under one arm and Breyer Horses under the other. This morning, Dean received his first booster shot and got banded. While I was at work, I thought about him. My stomach was in knots. My heart ached. I sped home. As soon as I opened his stall and saw him hop out, I was reminded that I do have children. I have a lot of children. And my life could not be more fulfilled. #animalrescue #deanthegoat #loveandlight #goatsofinstagram #rescuefarm #goat #babygoat #rescuegoat

A post shared by Caitlin Cimini (@boochaces) on

It was touch and go for the first few days, but Caitlin and the helpers and residents at Rancho Relaxo now have “the spunkiest spitfire of a baby goatie” they have ever met.

Not only does baby Dean love to climb on things, he also loves to give kisses! And soon he’ll be taking his loving personality to the Baltimore VegFest, where this little rescue goat will man his very own kissing booth!

Check out more adorable pictures of Dean and his rescue friends on Caitlin’s Instagram.