A Rose By Any Other Name

William Shakespeare was a versatile guy, apparently. But, much of his time must have been dedicated to thinking and writing. To have produced so much literature required a huge amount of time and concentration, even if, as is frequently alleged, others contributed to his work.

A phrase like our title from Romeo and Juliet -- how long did he sit and wrestle with these few simple words before he hit on this perfect phrase? And many thousands more like it, to the extent that so many have become common idioms in use so many years after they were penned?

Highlighted area of swelling on the rear part of JPG's jawbone

Our refugee Goat seems in a state of good health, generally. Having no other similar goats against which to measure his performance, and not really having had much contact with such animals previously, he seems to be in good spirits and good physical condition.

However, a few  days ago, we noticed a little boil-like lump swelling just below his right ear near his lower jaw-bone. In response to Clayton's query  on a website, a reader commented that it may perhaps be bottle-jaw.  We researched the matter further, but I could not locate of 100% diagnosis.

I don't mind taking Jean-Paul for a walk on the lead (although the dogs would be green with jealousy and envy), but loading him into the back of the car is an option not on the cards. So, off to the vet, with a description of the situation I went, leaving J-P blissfully unaware at home on Goat Hill lazing and grazing (apparently) happy in the sunshine. 

Now, this is where Shakepeare enters stage left. 

Readers may recall that the star of my Blog was "officially" (by me) given his more appropriate name Jean-Paul Goatier. The name is entirely unofficial to all other goats and, indeed, to the 7-odd billion people on earth (except my faithful -- and attentive -- readers). 

I borrowed the name, with the slight spelling change, from a BBC TV series "Mad Dogs", when events take a sinister turn when the friends spot a dead goat in the pool and John Glenister's character jokes as Beesley's Woody digs a hole to bury the goat: 

"Decomposition- the new fragrance by John Paul Goatier!"

A scene from an early episode of 'Mad Dogs'

Back to the vet's office: I explain to the Vet about JP's condition. Right. Then, as with all modern-day encounters, the vet starts off with the formalities. Animal type? sex? castrated? age? etc... Then he reaches the bit, name?

I rattle off his full name (without any explanation of spelling).  It was only later, when I got home that I saw the name on the medicine label:The 'Paul' had become 'Pierre' and the 'Goatier' had acquired an extra suffix "e". I know that the original 'Gaultier' name does not have the extra 'e'

Label attached to the syringe of medication for JPG

The exciting bit about this whole episode is that JPG' s name is now much more formalised in print, including the addition of the surname and his genus-type.

I will now remember the classification "caprine" - namely "...any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep, but having a beard and straight horns..."

I leaned across the fence later in the afternoon, and discussed the situation with JP. He appeared quite comfortable with the surname 'Andrews' as he did not show any adverse reaction to the proposal.

As regards the change of 'Paul' to 'Pierre' and the addition of the suffix 'e', he seemed to be in agreement with me when I suggested that it sounded quite 'French'. He seemed especially pleased when I suggested that the 'caprine' suffix really puts him on the map, and identifies him as a member of a specific sector, rather than a 'refugee'.

I didn't have the heart to tell him that he is still really a refugee. But it really doesn't matter --  A goat by any other name still smells just as goaty.

Hey! Allright, JP -- I'll tell the readers- JP has a very agreeable body odour -- in fact, he smells far better than dogs.