ARTHUR - Just like a little dog, Oreo sat in the back seat of the car waiting for his family who were packing up to leave the Moultrie-Douglas Fair.

Although Oreo walks on a leash, is housebroken and has many of the same qualities as man's best friend, the four-legged, furry friend is a black and white baby pygmy goat.

"He sleeps with my son Dakota," said Jana Adams.

For a goat less than six-months of age, Oreo, a triplet, already has experienced a lot of tragedy. He was born premature and his brother and sister died at birth. To add insult to injury for this sweet-natured goat, he was orphaned when his mother was killed by a coyote.

The Adams knew Oreo needed some extra tender-loving care if he was going to survive, so they allowed him to take up residence in their Villa Grove home.

"We have a cat that kind of (litter) trained him," Adams said. "I think if you can find a goat that is young enough, you can train it."

Because Dakota bottle fed Oreo and hand-raised him, Oreo thinks Dakota is his mom, Adams said.

"The only reason we had him on a leash today is because the fairgrounds requires it," she said. "But Oreo never needs a leash because he follows us everywhere."

Bottle-feeding required a lot of patience and the nightly feedings were tiresome, but Dakota, who has raised other orphaned animals, said the challenges were worth it.

"I like playing with Oreo," he said. Oreo and Dakota did well during the 4-H shows earlier this week.

"I won clean pen for pygmy goats, and I won first place with Oreo for buck under six months," Dakota said.

Krista Lewin can be reached at klewin@;jg-tc.com or 238-6858.