After being tagged in several posts on social media about Cochise, I looked at the humane society post regarding his background. He did have an interesting rap sheet; most mules being adopted out have a record. Some are put on probation and after several months of good behavior, they are released back into society in hopes of becoming a productive citizen. (Prison talk.)
After reading the history of Cochise, I was intrigued, so I convinced my sister, that “we needed this mule.” The documented report of shenanigans involving Cochise made it clear, that he was a clown looking for a circus. That was the deal-breaker for me, I am all about having fun, and if it isn’t fun, I will make it lively and humorous. (wink)
We hauled the stock trailer to pick up Cochise when his counselor…I mean trainer, met us. She reported, that Cochise occasionally ran off, leaving his handler dangling on the end of the leadline after he thought better of a situation involving having to do a new task. And of course, while being led back to his paddock, there were times the barn aisle looked spooky; and running off into the distance seemed to be the right answer to Cochise. That’s reasonable, mules aren’t about to take unnecessary risks; it made sense to me.
I signed the papers, and we “lured” Cochise into the stock trailer. Heading back, we made a brief stop at Taco Bell, I ordered tacos, and Cochise ordered the nachos with cheese. The red-headed mule enjoyed the drive-thru option, he stuck his nose against the slats in the trailer to get a whiff of the girls working at the window; they passed the sniff test and made over him while he batted those dreamy-looking eyes.
We’re back at the barn, it’s cold and windy; it didn’t take long for Cochise to arouse interest from the other barn occupants. Family introductions unfolded while we unloaded the new mule on that cold, windy day; somehow, while introducing Cochise, talking through my ski mask, the muffled tone I projected, sounded like, “His name is Goat Cheese.” The girls at the barn giggled while repeating “Hello Goat Cheese,” I didn’t want to waste my breath on that frosty day to explain his real name, so I just left it at that.
Now Goat Cheese’s real personality started to come through. He kept a social calendar; he was the first to arrive at the barn cocktail party and Goat Cheese was always ready for the next dance. We developed a routine of haltering the new guy, grooming, and working on his ground manners. Goat Cheese liked giving hugs and he also liked biting your butt while giving a hug. I think it was his way of showing affection, so I was grateful for Carharts and long underwear as a layer of protection. Part of his weekly duties included being filmed for the Mule Talk commercials. This added to Goat Cheese’s popularity and he developed a following on Facebook.
In early spring, wearing my crash helmet, I rode him in the round pen for a test drive. Cochise rode green, which was to be expected, with a couple of quick starts, and a zoom here and there; it was like riding the rollercoaster at the amusement park, but never leaving the farm. Then the pipeline labor crew started coming around, meaning they needed access to drive their equipment through the barn property. Cochise lost his focus so the logical thing to do was to revert to his ground training. With all the tractor and machinery activity, Cochise took me land skiing a couple of times; I hung in there, after brushing myself off and patching the holes in my Wranglers, it was clear that Cochise aka Goat Cheese, was going to be stuck in the 3rd grade for a long, long while.
It was important to me, to have Goat Cheese moving forward…unemployment just doesn’t set well with me, so I reached out to a friend who was interested in Goat Cheese from the time he was put up for adoption. Her name is Patti; I rode with Patti in the Gila Mountain Wilderness and knew her as a confident and skilled rider. I also learned she recently had to retire her older mule and was heartbroken from losing her dog recently. I brought Patti up to date on Goat Cheese. Patti texted back and said she would be delighted to come and check out “Cream Cheese.” I thought this was too funny, this mule is getting smoother and smoother as far as cheese goes.
My friend, Patti Sears drove from Oklahoma to Missouri with her stock trailer; we greeted each other on the gravel road, and after telling each other how good we looked, we went to the barn for introductions. As I predicted, Goat Cheese and Patti made that instant connection. I knew then, that Goat Cheese was going to be OK.
As per our agreement, I gifted Goat Cheese to Patti. Mules make the perfect gift to the right person. The right person is one with patience and a mindset to work with mules.
Patti was in tears; this was a new beginning for her and Goat Cheese. Of course, the agreement with the adoption agency is that I still own him and I am responsible for his upkeep and care. I’m good with that too. That way I can visit Goat Cheese and spend time with Patti too.
Patti keeps me updated about Goat Cheese’s progress. He has a place at her ranch in Oklahoma, where he made friends with all the barnyard critters. He holds the job of watching over the newborn foal, and his visitors are plenty. Patti works Cochise in the round pen, he now loads freely into his stock trailer and will soon graduate from the 3rd grade. He takes watch over the ranch, standing on top of his ridge. Oh yes and by the way, Cochise has a twin, that will be harnessed and driving next to him. Once again, life is good on the farm and I feel warm and fuzzy for Goat Cheese and Patti.
