Tom Horsfield has an
especially unique, adorable and bouncy companion: a baby pygmy goat
named Benjamin, or Benji. And ever since the
BBC Look North feature on Benji, the world has fallen in love with this small, romping goat.
(
BBC Look North)
Tom,
who lives in Yorkshire, has been hand-rearing Benji since the baby
goat's mother rejected him (Benji was a twin). Benji has quite taken to
Tom, and follows him around like a curious child. The goat even
accompanies Tom to his place of work, the
Horsfields Nursery in Pot House Hamlet.
(
BBC Look North)
According
to Tom, Benji feeds roughly five or six times a day and gets a bottle
of milk every four hours or so. And with luck and continued nurturing,
Benji could grow to be as old as 20!
(
BBC Look North)
In
about two more months, Tom says he'll release Benji into the pasture on
the hamlet's estate with the other full-grown goats, so that he can
begin living a normal goat's life.
(
BBC Look North)
Tom
says that cute little Benji has become quite popular with the nursery's
customers, and that one of his favorite pastimes is nibbling people's
shoelaces. And, of course, jumping as far as his little hooves will
carry him.
(
BBC Look North)
Even
though his beginnings may have seemed a bit rocky, it's clear that
Benji is getting oodles of love and attention from Tom, and will no
doubt grow into a happy, healthy adult. Until then, he'll continue
scampering and bouncing along, following Tom wherever he may go.