Blessed, if tiny, event

Miniature mom adds to small farm’s menagerie

By: Gwen Runkle
   WEST WINDSOR — There’s a new addition to the family of Marty Goldman and Jo Doig on North Post Road, but at 20 to 25 pounds with a fuzzy, light gray coat, he’s not your typical youngster.
   Shadow is a miniature donkey born a week ago to first-time mom Eeyore, a 2-year-old, 34-inch-tall miniature donkey.
   "Isn’t he adorable," crooned Ms. Doig while petting Shadow’s head on a recent tour of the family’s 11-acre farm. "My husband named him with the hopes he’ll learn to follow us around. As far as I’m concerned he could live with us in the house, but I don’t think that’d go over well."
   Not only would her husband object, but so would her dog Griff, a Brussels Griffon like the one in the movie "As Good As It Gets."
   "He’s our little watchdog," she said.
   And with numerous flocks of chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks, a pair of sheep named Lamb Chop and Oreo, several goats, a couple of cats and the two donkeys, there is certainly a lot for him to watch over.
   "We definitely don’t get bored," said Ms. Doig, who is also a matrimonial, bankruptcy and real estate attorney. "We’re never at a loss for things to do."
   But being busy suits Ms. Doig and Mr. Goldman, who also works as a garage-door repairman, just fine. Especially since their farm is one of only a handful left in the township that raise animals, according to the township’s tax office.
   "There aren’t too many farms in the township anymore," Ms. Doig said. "The township is trying to preserve a lot of the land as open space and most of the working farms are just raising crops."
   She said she and her husband enjoy the farm life and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
   "It’s very tranquilizing," Ms. Doig said. "When your life is very busy, working with animals can be very powerful and it’s less expensive than seeing a psychiatrist."
   Ms. Doig and Mr. Goldman started the farm after marrying eight years ago.
   "The property was from my husband’s family," Ms. Doig said. "His father used to raise chickens, but there were no animals here when I hooked up with him eight years ago. It all started when he brought home a mom hen with 13 baby chicks. I just loved it and from there it just grew and grew."
   Take the chickens, for example. Ms. Doig now has 10 to 15 different kinds.
   "Who knew chickens could be so interesting," she said. "They’re great because they give you a present every day. I’m still waiting for the 18 or 24 karat golden eggs, though."