A New Experience

Today I went out to the ranch a little later than usual. It was a dreary, cold day, with rain clouds threatening to open up at any time. When I arrived, Rick told me he was going to Morongo Valley to pick up Mooney and asked if I'd like to come along for the ride. Since I have never visited another Alpaca ranch, I was thrilled at the opportunity. The real "plus" was he told me they were shearing today (something else I've never seen - but will experience on April 18 & 19th).

We arrived at Absolute Alpacas and were greeted by several friendly puppies. When we walked in the gate, some Alpacas had already been shorn and truly looked like space aliens! A few very young crias had been shorn, as well, and were wearing little cria coats. They looked so cute! It was amazing to see how long and skinny their necks look when not covered with fiber. I met the owners, Jennifer & Travis, who were very nice and hospitable. I also had the chance to watch a cria being shorn. The technique used was to lay them down on a mat and secure their front and back legs, while someone held their head. The cria didn't seem to mind too much and wasn't putting up a fuss. I've already been warned by Rick that they don't all act that way. He told me, last year, Princess gave the warning call during the whole shearing.

Rick took me to see Chewbacca, the herdsire Mooney had come to meet. What a good looking guy! In the field next to him were some other Alpacas, and a darling little cria. She (?) appeared quite friendly, and stuck her little nose through the chain link fence. Well, to me that meant she must want a kiss. I leaned over to kiss her on her little nose, and POOPH, she "air spit" right in my face. No yukky stuff, just a great blast of air. What a little tease!

We loaded up Mooney and fought Sunday traffic, and rain, back to Murrieta. She seemed very happy to be home. When Rick released her into the field, all the Alpacas had to come and greet her. I'm sure she had stories to tell them about her adventures with Chewbacca and her new friends at Absolute Alpacas.

Since it was cold and rainy, I didn't walk Felix today. But, I did go down to Boy's Town to see him and give him hugs and kisses. As soon as he saw me, he walked to the gate. When I put my arm around his neck and kissed him, he started clucking. He's done that before. Rick says that's a good thing. It's a cute little sound. I spent some time with him in his field, loving all over him, which he didn't seem to mind one bit. I am crazy about that little guy!

I didn't go out in the fields with the girls (and ALPHA) today because of the weather. It was much more comfortable to sit in the sun room with Rick and watch them, while he answered my plethora of questions about the business. While we were sitting there, Rick spotted a coyote in the hills across the road from his property. All the Alpacas spotted it about the same time. He never got close, but instead took off in the other direction. Smart coyote, as Rose & Lillith wouldn't have let him come anywhere near the ranch.

My next big adventure will be April 18th and 19th. That is shearing time at All American Alpacas. Oh yes, I will be there both days, all day. In fact, I'm closing my office on Thursday so my employees (Diane Risberg & Molly Porterfield) can come and help, as well. I'm really looking forward to it, as are they. Yet, it's going to be such a shock to see Princess, ALPHA, Vanilla Sundae, Felix and Star without their winter coats. It will also be exciting to see their true size and color underneath all the fiber. Vanilla Sundae, Felix and Star are real "poooffy" now. Not for long....