COTTAGE GROVE – When Charlie Faherty bought a goat five years ago, it wasn’t exactly his idea. Still, he’s glad he went through with it.
“I bought him because my girlfriend at the time said she wanted a goat, so I bought her a baby goat,” Faherty said of Ambrose, his pet goat. “Well, she’s no longer around, but he still is. He’s been pretty faithful.”
Faherty takes Ambrose and his 19-year-old rescue dog, Lucky, a Corgi-Dachshund mix, out for regular walks in Cottage Grove. The Chamber of Commerce Concerts in the Park series is a regular event for them. They were hanging out all weekend at Coiner Park for the Spirit of BMD, an abbreviated version of the city’s Bohemia Mining Days festival, which was taking a one-year break.
They even got to walk in Sunday’s Spirit of BMD parade, which was fine and dandy with Ambrose.
“They were throwing candy at the kids, and Ambrose thought they were throwing it to him, so he ate a lot of candy,” Faherty said. “But a lot of people knew him. They were happy to see him out there.”
Being around Ambrose has been great therapy for Faherty. After meeting with a Lane County health counselor, it was decided that he needed to be around his animals, so Ambrose and Lucky are certified service animals. They go inside Walmart, Safeway and everywhere else Faherty goes.
Faherty has endured some tragic times recently. Four years ago his father took his life. Then his 26-year-old son, Richard Evan – whose nickname was Ambrose – was on his way to get married when the truck he was driving from Phoenix to Las Vegas sailed off a cliff. Eight months later, his wife, Monika, died of emphysema. Then his good friend, John Hogan, who he was taking care of, died about nine months after that.
It was a lot for one person to handle. Faherty was depressed, but his pets kept him moving, and they often found a way to lift his spirits.
Charlie Faherty takes his pet goat Ambrose and his rescue dog Lucky for a walk Wednesday at Bohemia Park.
A drywall worker for 35 years, Faherty, 61, says he moved to Cottage Grove about 5½ years ago. Recently, he started helping an older gentleman, Allan Jackson, look after his 40 acres of property.
“I’m very fortunate to have met Mr. Jackson, he’s a wonderful man,” Faherty said. “Ambrose goes with me every day and has free roam of that property.”
Faherty said his goat is just as hard-headed as his son was.
“Everything has to be his way, He’s very rebellious. So, yeah, they’re both just alike in that regard,” he said.
Faherty would like to reach out to anyone who could help with the trimming of Ambrose’s hooves. His truck is currently broken down, so he can’t make any trips to a vet.
Also, he would love to visit any local retirement centers, free of charge. “Ambrose is always a big hit among the older folks,” he said. Give Faherty a call at 541-674-3918 to set up an appointment.
Ambrose has lived somewhat of a sheltered life. Until last week, Faherty said Ambrose thought he was a dog – because he had never seen another goat. Then Ambrose discovered that a whole new world was awaiting out there.
“When I took him over to see the lady goats the other day, I put him inside the fence and a female goat, which is bigger than he is, got in-between us and grabbed me from the back of my leg and flipped me on my back,” Faherty said. “She didn’t want me between him and her. I got out of there pretty quick. Yeah, he’s a big star over there. The girls love him. That’s the first time he’s seen other goats.”
Ambrose is a pretty big star in Cottage Grove, no matter where he goes.
