Once again, I'm writing the day after my ranch visit. When I arrived, Nala looked like she was ready to pop. Yet, by the end of the day, she had decided to hang on to that little cria and not let it come out. Darn it! It's time for a new baby!
At about 1PM, a family arrived with their 3 pet males (all born at All American Alpacas). They had made arrangements with Rick to shear them. This was a new experience for me, as they were shorn on a shearing table, by none other than Rick himself. The table is pretty incredible. You walk the Alpaca between what looks like a large piece of plywood and what looks like a tumbling mat on the other side. Of course, all this is connected to iron poles and pulleys and all kinds of stuff. Once the Alpaca is in and turned around, you squeeze the Alpaca between the wood and the mat. After making sure the Alpaca is in the proper position, you flip the device over and poof, the Alpaca is laying on a table! Before you lift the mat portion, you secure the Alpacas back legs and one front leg and make sure the head is firmly positioned against the wood. Since the Alpaca is haltered, it's pretty easy to hold the head down by securing the lead under your foot while holding the head, or wrapping the lead tightly underneath the table. Once the mat is lifted, the fun begins. I was amazed at how well this contraption secures the Alpaca. Even if they start to wiggle, they can't move much. Rick did a great job shearing these guys. I think he used all his blades as all 3 boys were real poofy. Lots and lots of fiber. Rick finished up their heads in the show pen, with the boys standing up. They were so cooperative!
This family not only has the 3 pet males, but also horses and goats. Apparently, all the animals get along and get to play together in the same area all day. At night, everyone has their own fields. The love they have for the Alpacas was very apparent. While they were at the ranch, they decided to look at some other little boys. Well, they fell in love with Shaq and Landis, and decided they should be part of their family. So, the family that showed up yesterday with 3 pet males left with 5. It was really hard to say good-bye to Shaq as he's a little love bug.
If you recall, I said in an earlier posting that I was on a mission to get Shaq haltered and take him for a walk. Well, yesterday, with Rick's help, I was able to get a halter on him and we walked around the ranch. Considering it was only the 2nd time Shaq had been on a halter, that was quite a feat. I was really looking forward to working with him, but.....I do feel really good that he will be spoiled rotten and that his best buddy, Landis, got to go too. I'll look forward to seeing Shaq and Landis next year when they come for shearing. Do you think he'll remember me?
Felix also went for a walk and never ceases to amaze me. He will walk up and down steps and wherever I ask him to go. He did draw the line at stepping into a horse trailor, however. I opened the horse trailor door and got in to see if he would follow me. He peeked in and looked all around, but wasn't real willing to step up. We'll work on that some other time. At least he got to see the trailor, and sniff it. I wonder if he misses Shaq and Landis? Probably not, as now there is more hay in the feeder for him (yes, he's a piggy). Now there is more room in the Boy's Town Hotel, so my baby ALPHA, and his buddy Scirocco, should be checking in soon.
The never ending saga of Star's breeding....nope, she hasn't sat yet. Maybe it's her metabolism (you know how us girls can be) and the shot hasn't totally taken effect yet. Or, maybe she needs dinner and flowers (that's my girl!).
Rick let me help feed treats before I left. I LOVE giving treats. I love being surrounded by the Alpacas. For a few minutes, I am truly their best friend. Manda Smith's favorite spot is with her head in the bucket, and Princess ate treats out of my hand, as did Whitney, Marquita, and Dusty Rose. How cool is that?
FYI, I read in the latest Alpaca magazine that Fig Newton's are good treats for Alpacas. So, I loaded my purse up with Fig Newton's for my trip to the ranch. I broke them up into little pieces, put them in a plastic bag and headed for Boy's Town. Guess what? They don't want Fig Newton's.
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1 comment:
It is such a joy to read your journal. I think I/we are having as much fun reading as you are having for "real." Keep up the good work, I think the boys and girls really love you and yes, Shaq will remember you next year. You had a hand in his first shearing. B and J
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