The Smiling Goat Ranch

10/11/2026

“She dreamed it, I built it”

One thing my mom excelled at was always being camera ready and we are so thankful for that. Most days I’m not even sure she knew where Donna and I were at 😂 probably in the barn hunting for the newest barn kittens. Wearing the same clothes we wore the day before and clinging to whatever animal we could catch at the time.

Now we get to share our love for all living things with the coolest kids in the universe. Just with less bangs and less butterfly poses 😂

10/09/2026

It’s officially pumpkin spice season featuring Odins new Rut hair 😂 this guy was glistening white less than two weeks ago but he’s been working hard on his makeover to impress the girls.

By working hard I mean peeing on himself…. Again and again and again. At least his highlights are natural? 😅

Before you toss those pumpkins this year make sure you keep your friends with animals in mind! As long as the pumpkins are mold free, unbleached and unpainted they make a super rich vitamin packed snack for all livestock! Not to mention smashing pumpkins into the goat field is a great stress reliever 😂 just ask my mother in law. Tammy Burnett Waite

10/07/2026

From Pope to Preacher! 🤎

The girl holding the puppy on the left (Pope) had a dream… and now that girl holding the puppy on the right(Preacher)is living it. 🥹

I started Smiling Goat Ranch in Thornville, Ohio, on my parents farm. Dad made sure I had good fencing, a shelter for the girls, and even agreed to a three hour road trip when I interrupted him grinding feed to tell him I was bringing home a puppy who would eventually weigh 150 pounds. 😂

Four years later, I’m standing in my very own barn, after years of dreaming up every detail. And that little puppy has grown into an incredible livestock guardian who has faithfully watched over our goats.

Pope was the beginning. Preacher is the next chapter. 🤎

Preacher isn’t here to replace Pope he’s here to become his teammate and help him protect the herd Pope has spent these last few years watching over.

From one puppy and a dream… to my own barn, the best herd, and now two Anatolians watching over it all. 🐐🐾

I can’t wait to see where these two take us. 🖤

09/30/2026

Baby Koens first trip to the farm! Happy one month to our newest nephew Koen Joseph.

My very first wish when we moved here was to create an oasis for kids (and their parents) to enjoy and to share our peaceful, charming little slice of heaven with. Watching that come true makes my heart so full!

Here’s to many more trips to the farm, muddy feet and maybe sneaking a kitten or two in mom’s car to take home!

We love you so much already KJ 💙

09/28/2026

🚨DO NOT FEED YOUR GOATS ON THE GROUND!

Sorry for yelling but this is one aspect of goat care that needs to be said loudly because it is that important. I've seen so many pictures in various groups showing feed and hay just dumped on the ground. This is setting your goats up for failure and sickness.

Feeding your goats directly on the ground puts them at extremely high risk for stomach worms and coccidiosis. Feed should always be put in a bucket, trough, tub, etc that is easy to clean and preferably that they won't stand and p**p in. Hay should also be elevated in some sort of hay feeder.

Elevated feeders aren't going to eliminate the risk of internal parasites, but it can definitely reduce their exposure.

09/24/2026

09/24/2026

Our little 2026 flood survivors are almost ready for their new homes!!

Miss Ziggy was scheduled to get fixed about a week after we realized she was about to bless us with not one but SEVEN more little panthers. 🖤🐈‍⬛

During that last horrific rainfall and storm, Ziggy decided it was GO TIME! She was clearly stressed and had her babies on the porch, in the flower bed, basically, babies EVERYWHERE!

Logan had worked an overnight detail and, LUCKILY, was getting home just before daylight. In the POURING, SIDEWAYS RAIN, he woke me up in a panic! 😅

I jumped up, grabbed a towel, and scooped up all seven ice cold babies as quickly as I could. We got everyone dried off and helped Mama Zigg get her babies settled and warm.

These little guys have had quite the start to life. We’ve been supplementing them with goat milk and soft kitty food, and they have now graduated to hard kitten food. 🥹 They are THRIVING after such a rough beginning!

A little note about our black kitten “Miyagi” He does have a frostbitten/tipped tail, but I truly think with time it will become barely noticeable! If there is interest, I’ll be happy to share photos. 🐾

These kittens have been raised outside, are already litter box trained, and have been very very LOVED. I would keep them all if I could BUT our cat gang is just about complete 😂

09/23/2026

It’s about time for this guys time to shine!!

Odin is coming in hot with his second year with us ALREADY. This boy has really started to pop into his prime and gets better and better each day!

He’s majestic , sweet as all get out and extremely easy to keep!! His hair and beard are a daily reminder to smile more!

Wish him luck as he hits the weight room and puts on his work clothes for our favorite time of the year!!!

Babies will be expected starting in March!!!! Let us know if you would like more details if you are considering adding GOATS(four legged therapy) to your lives! Our wait list has started and I couldn’t be happier to have the support and trust from all of you!

09/21/2026

More MUD. Just what we needed 🥴

Friendly reminder that goats will avoid standing water at all costs and NEED access to a dry shelter. Anything to get up and off the ground is also a huge plus!

Wet and damp goats is a bad combination and one you certainly don’t want to gamble with!

Obviously the rain and mud is out of our control and unavoidable these days. Stay vigilant and know your goats!

Also watch for changes in behavior with this temp drop! Stay dry and hang in there friends! Don’t hesitate to reach out for any tips and tricks!