SAUGUS — Massachusetts is the state of GOATs—both the legends and the livestock. With icons like Tom Brady, Big Papi, Bill Russell, and Bobby Orr, greatness runs deep. But in Saugus, when it comes to actual GOATs, Nelson Avendano is at the top of the list.
Avendano might be better known by residents as “the guy with the goats” or “the goat man,” especially when the Halloween and Christmas seasons are in full swing. Facebook groups are flooded with questions of where to find Avendano so pumpkins and Christmas trees can be dropped off to feed his two friends, Paco and Chewey.
Paco and Chewey, Nigerian Dwarf goats and brothers, have called Saugus home for the past two years, living in Avendano’s backyard with their area dedicated to them. This area is also occupied by their livestock guardian, Georgia, a friendly Great Pyrenees who loves protecting her two pals. Avendano rescued Georgia after her owner no longer wanted her, and she was at risk of being put down.
“We try to bring her inside. She was an inside dog, but then she met them, and she just wanted to be out here with them. Sometimes, it’s really cold and snowing, and I try to get her inside. She just looks at me like, ‘It’s 90 degrees out here for me’ because of her coat,” he said.
Before Georgia, Paco had been attacked by a coyote in the backyard. Thankfully, one of Avendano’s other dogs was able to handle the situation.
Avendano had been shocked by how small the two goats were when he first got them, fitting in the back of his car on the ride home from the breeder.
“I thought, are they going to survive the winter? The breeder told me they would be fine because they grow a winter coat and lose it naturally after,” he said.
When asked what made him get the goats, he explained that he, his wife, and his daughters were all crazy about farm animals and that it was their goal to move somewhere with more land to get more animals. He said that his daughters really want horses in the future, which is why more land will be necessary.
Avendano explained that after getting the goats, he started posting on social media asking for pumpkins and trees, and the community immediately jumped on the opportunity to feed the goats.
“They’ve killed 12 trees already [this year]. We had a lot of people bring them, or I picked them up. The goats love this. The trees are a natural warmer for them, and the pumpkins are too,” he said.
He continued that the goats can determine what’s safe to eat and what’s not safe, which is a major part of their survival instincts in the wild.
Avendano said that, like dogs, the goats are inspected every year by animal control to make sure everything is up to code.
“Every year, we get an inspection. He comes here and checks to make sure everything is okay. He’s told us that we could get another goat, but I feel like we still need more space,” he said.
Avendano said that getting the goats cleared by the town had been a simple process. The goats had to be 50 feet from the main road and have animal control inspect them every year.
“When he [animal control] came the first year, he saw how little they were. Then he came last year, around Dec., and he said, ‘Wow, look how big they are.’ Now, he just loves them. The animal control guy here in Saugus is just great,” he said.
Avendano said that on nice days, the goats will follow him around everywhere, acting like dogs and playing with each other.
“They start acting crazy. You should see how high they can jump. They jump over walls, and it’s just great to watch them,” he said. “My father-in-law lives in Florida. When he comes to stay with us every year, he just sits out here and watches them.”
He said that just watching the goats can be peaceful for people.
Avendano continued that both goats have their own personalities, with Paco being more wild while Chewey was relaxed.
“They fight each other sometimes. They’ll get up on two legs and go at each other. It’s funny to see them walk at each other like that,” he said.
“I love these little guys,” Avendano said. “Even though I have to wake up super early to come bring them water, make sure it’s not frozen, and let them out. They take 45 minutes of my sleeping time. But, I am always happy to do it because I love them.”
He said that when he first got them, the breeder asked if he was sure because it would be difficult to go on vacations with livestock around.
“I thought, I don’t really go on vacation…I just like dealing with my animals. I grew up always being outside and doing something. Now I love being home, and I’m happy here with my family and my animals,” he said.
