Creatures great and small …

Here’s a magical little story that’s perfect for the season.

On a recent wintry day, ROSIE and MAHONEY, a pair of 3-year-old pygmy goats, decided to go for an outing. After convincing the family dog to dig a hole under their 6-foot backyard fence, the naughty pair climbed through to freedom and wandered out into the surrounding neighborhood.

They soon spotted a friendly man walking a small white dog and decided to follow him along Hastie Lake Road. The man knew the goats shouldn’t be out on the busy road, so he tried to “shoo” them back in the direction from which they came. It was obvious by their collars that these were someone’s cherished pets.

But try as he might, the animals would not leave the man. Nearing his home, he picked his little dog up and scampered to his house and into his garage. Once inside, he looked down to see that his little friends had followed him into the garage! He immediately put them outside and told them to go home.

About this time, the man’s wife heard about the situation and feared for the goat’s safety, so out she ran, calling the goats back. They were delighted to have another new friend and high-tailed it back to the house.

Attempting to corral the animals, they were put in the fenced-in back yard, but it took less than a minute for the agile pair to clear the low fence. Other tactics had to be used to keep the goats content while a search was begun for their owner. Carrots and water were offered and accepted, but the man’s rose bushes were much preferred. And when they weren’t eating the roses, Rosie and Mahoney entertained themselves by frolicking on their new friends’ front porch, peering into windows and butting each other.

When the mailperson arrived on the scene, she said she did not know where the goats lived, but would ask along her route. The sheriff’s department was even called in to help locate the owner. Rosie and Mahoney couldn’t be left out in the cold to fend for themselves. There might be some hungry coyotes around.

Just then the mailperson returned to say she had met a man who might know the goats’ owner. As she was driving away, Officer Campbell of the Island County Sheriff’s Department showed up to offer assistance. The search was on in earnest.

A few minutes later, neighbors brought leashes and more carrots and sunflower seeds for the goats, and just about then, Officer Campbell’s car returned, leading the owner’s car into the cul-de-sac. SUE VANDERHOOFVEN and her children were delighted to see their pets and it appeared the feeling was mutual. The reunion was a joyful occasion for all concerned, and Rosie and Mahoney will probably remember their excellent adventure for days to come.

 Who would you invite?

I posed this question to several of our neighbors: “Who would you invite to your home at Christmas, and why?” Here is what they said:

PHIL and LYDIA SIKES of Whidbey Wild Bird both agree on Carl Sagan. “He is one of our heroes,” said Phil.

Local insurance agent MATT IVERSON wants a chance to visit with his grandmother and great-grandmother. Now himself a parent, he could use some of their wisdom.

Retired Fire Inspector BILL WAITE would love to have a long fireside chat with ABRAHAM LINCOLN, while DOLORES MEISCH would gladly set another place for CELINE DION. “And she could sing for us,” Dolores piped up.

BARBARA MASON speaks for many of us when she said, “I’d like to bring all our men and women in uniform home from Iraq, for even just one day, to have Christmas Eve or Christmas with their loved ones.”

Since moving up from the Bay Area, ELFUEL COLLANTES of Angelo’s Caffe has missed his old friend JOHN MARSH of San Jose, Calif. Oak Harbor Mayor PATTY COHEN misses her late parents, JIM and CHIRA FLOWERS, but being surrounded by her three children makes her feel close to them. “I see my parents in their gestures,” she said.

CAPT. STEVE ALMON, Chief of Oak Harbor Police Department, said, “Christ, but then I want him living in my home every day.”

 The perfect elf himself …

Santa needed a helper at the recent Red Hat Society luncheon at the Chief Petty Officers’ Club, and he didn’t have to look far.

RYAN McCREARY, 8, zipped from table to table, delivering door prizes at the function that brought together several chapters of ageless women.

Ryan is the grandson of MARGO GANNETT, a member of the Whidbey Island Red Hatters.

 Knock on the door …

Let us remember the families of those who are deployed this Christmas. Invite them over. You’ve got the time. Just give them your best smile, a strong handshake and in an instant, you’ve turned a stranger into a friend.

Merry Christmas! I’ll be back on Dec. 28. Meanwhile, call me at (360) 675-6611 or email me at lifeonwhidbey.com.