My August 17 story for “Pacific Northwest,” The Seattle Times’ Sunday magazine, will feature Julie Steil, owner of River Valley Cheese in Fall City, Washington. Here are some of the adorable baby goats she milks twice a day.

And here is your intrepid reporter getting up close (and far too personal, in my opinion) with some other members of Julie’s herd. The goats nibbled my denim jacket and pants legs, while the yak butted me in the buttocks, and the water buffalo looks like he’s about to charge!