Her father was a cattleman, and she has loved animals all her life. It’s that love that has brought Myrtle Starr to the Alisal Guest Ranch in Solvang. Myrt, as she’s called, is its manager. Her menagerie of farm animals includes Elvis the goat, Corky the pig, a flock of chickens, and a small herd of miniature horses and cattle. Myrt loves them all, and in between her duties as manager, she wants visitors to learn something.

"The whole family uses this petting zoo as a learning center," she says. "Our regular guests fall in love with the animals. Bottle feed them when they’re babies." And milk them when they grow older. But you don’t just waltz into the Alisal petting zoo and pester the animals. Not with Myrt around. After all, these aren’t mere chickens, horses, and goats. They’re family and deserve respect.

Myrt has even rescued some of her charges, such as Lucky the goat. He was found chained to a tree, apparently being used as bait by a mountain lion hunter. Myrt will share Lucky’s story and many others with you. All you have to do is show up.

For information about staying at the Alisal Guest Ranch in Solvang, call toll free 1-800-4-ALISAL. Or visit the website at www.alisal.com.

If you have questions or comments about this story, please E-mail Executive Producer Corita Gravitt at corita.gravitt@mailexcite.com.