A Tiny Goat Named Vincent — and What He Taught Me About Belonging. Sometimes belonging begins with a bottle, a snowstorm, and a herd that makes room
- annekrocak
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The Privilege of Growing Older — and Vincent’s Story of Belonging
I turned 56 this year.
When I was young, I feared getting older. Like many people, I imagined aging as a loss — of youth, opportunity, and relevance.
But standing here in this season of my life, I feel something very different.
I feel gratitude.
Growing older is a privilege not everyone receives. With time comes a quiet clarity. I don’t take as much for granted anymore. I don’t spend much energy pretending to please others. I try to live each day in alignment with my values — kindness, honesty, creativity, and care for the animals and people who share this sanctuary.
At 56, I’m learning that belonging isn’t about perfection.
It’s about showing up honestly.
This week that lesson arrived in the form of a tiny goat named Vincent.
Vincent
We named him Vincent after Vincent van Gogh, another sensitive soul who began life loved but in complicated circumstances.
Our little Vinny was born to a mother who cared for him but couldn’t produce enough milk for him to grow strong. Sometimes love exists, but circumstances still require another path.
So Vincent needed something very specific.
He needed a new home.
And a human willing to bottle-feed him and help him grow.
A New Herd
When Vincent arrived at the sanctuary, the goats welcomed him the way goats do — with curiosity, encouragement, and a bit of playful chaos.
Before the snowstorm rolled in, the herd showed him around the goat playground.
They introduced him to the big tire jumpy.
They encouraged him to cross the bridge.
Older goats nudged him forward as if saying, “Come on… try it.”
Ralphie even gave him a gentle nudge with his horns.
Lady stood nearby like a proud cheerleader.
Of course, learning new things comes with mishaps.
At one point Vincent managed to wedge himself inside the giant tire — a situation that felt quite dramatic from his perspective. The goats immediately began calling out until a human came to help him wiggle free.
That’s one of the quiet truths of a herd.
When someone gets stuck…
someone notices.
Snowstorm Adjustments
With the approaching snowstorm, we tucked Vincent into a small protected space in the barn. He had his own little house near Cedar and Sweet William, who kept watch nearby.
He looked content when we settled him in.
But early this morning we found him shivering.
Sometimes even good plans need adjusting.
So Vincent was invited into what the animals lovingly call “the humans’ barn” — the house.
And there he met even more members of the herd.
Our resident cats were fascinated by their unusual guest. Before long they curled up around him, purring softly as they slept beside the tiny goat.
Vincent relaxed.
The room was warm.
The cats purred.
The humans held bottles.
And the little goat who needed extra care found himself surrounded by quiet companionship.
A Small Wellness Practice: Noticing
One of the quiet wellness practices we encourage at the sanctuary is simply noticing.
The herd is constantly noticing — who is near, who needs space, who is curious, who might need help. It’s how animals stay connected and safe together.
Humans often rush past these small observations, but slowing down and noticing can be deeply grounding.
When Vincent arrived, the goats noticed him immediately. When he got stuck in the tire, they noticed. When he was cold in the barn this morning, we noticed.
This kind of attention is also where art begins.
Artists learn to notice small details — the tilt of a head, the way light lands on fur, the quiet posture of a resting animal, or the feeling of calm that settles over a herd standing together.
A simple wellness practice you might try is this:
Spend five quiet minutes noticing something in the natural world — a bird, a pet, a tree, or the way light moves across a wall. If you feel inspired, sketch it or write a few words about what you see.
You don’t have to be a professional artist.
Just like belonging, art begins with attention.
A Reflection on Age, Wisdom, and Belonging
As I grow older, I find myself noticing things I once rushed past.
When I was younger, I spent more time wondering where I fit — trying to understand where I belonged, sometimes shaping myself into what others expected.
Age has a way of softening that urgency.
With time comes the understanding that belonging doesn’t come from changing ourselves to fit every space we enter. Instead, it comes from noticing where we feel calm, welcomed, and able to be fully ourselves.
The herd teaches this lesson every day.
Each animal has a place within the group. They move together, but they do not all behave the same. Some lead. Some observe. Some play. Some hold the calm center.
And yet they all belong.
As I stand here at 56, I feel something I didn’t always recognize when I was younger — gratitude for the journey that brought me here. The years have taught me to notice how far I’ve come, and to recognize the places and communities where my values, my work, and my heart feel aligned.
Like the herd, we slowly learn where we truly belong.
Sometimes it takes time.
Sometimes it takes a few wrong pastures before we find the right one.
But when we do, there is a feeling that is unmistakable.
A quiet sense of home.
At Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary, we believe that same feeling is possible for everyone.
Just like Vincent found his herd, we work to create a place where animals and people alike are welcomed as they are.
Here, everyone belongs.
🐐🐴 At Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary we believe every creature deserves a herd — and every person deserves a place to belong.
Help Care for Vincent
If Vincent’s story touched your heart, you can help care for him and the herd.
• $5 helps buy a bottle feeding for Vincent• $10 helps provide hay for the goats• $25 helps care for the sanctuary animals for a day
Even the smallest gift helps keep the herd safe and cared for.
You can also support the animals through our Amazon Needs List, where we share everyday supplies the herd depends on.https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/ZC5KLLUZV3OJ?ref_=wl_share
Thank you for helping us care for this little herd.— The Herd at Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary 🐐🐴