Bye-Bye, Billy! Mascot Goat Bids Farewell to the Army

Who knew that the Royal Welsh Regiment has a real goat for a mascot? Though we just found out, it's already time to say goodbye to him! Sniff.

On Wednesday, the U.K. Army regiment saluted Billy the goat (full name: William Windsor), who is retiring to a zoo outside London after seven years of service in the battalion, the Canadian Press reported.

Having a goat in the ranks is an old tradition that reportedly dates back to the Revolutionary War, when a goat led the battalion at the end of battle.

But we were pleased to learn that another goat will soon step in to proudly serve his country. The Canadian Press reports that Billy's replacement will be unveiled next month when a kid is selected from a herd in north Wales.