Felix & ALPHA's Big Adventure

I went to the ranch early on Saturday. Rick left very early to pick up 6 Alpacas and a Llama in Crestline, Pati had to go to work, and they are on baby watch for Lucy and Dewdrop. So, I sort of filled in the gap by being there so the ladies wouldn't be alone. Before Pati left for work, I went down to Boy's Town to see all "the guys". Flash & Storm have been moved in with Merlin & Ambush. That is to make room for a herdsire and companion Rick is bringing back today. I spent a little time with ALPHA and Felix. Oh my goodness, Felix is not only back to his sweet self, but even better. He lets me rub his neck for the longest time, plus I can rub his back, run my hands down his legs, his chest, his belly and his ears. He clucked once or twice when I kissed him. I am so happy. I was a little worried, thinking perhaps the "procedure" he had a few months ago had changed his personality. ALPHA isn't as friendly, but once you can get close enough to lightly touch the front of his neck, he's yours. He'll stand very still and let you inspect his fiber, check his teeth, rub his neck, and put on a halter. They both are a little slow starting their walks, but by the time we get them past Boy's Town and up the hill, they are super. Today, they had a BIG adventure. More about that later...

Rick arrived about 10AM with his big, super duper, bitchin' trailer, full of Alpacas (and yes, a Llama, too). There were 2 pregnant dams (each with a cria), 1 herdsire, 1 companion, and a cool Llama "KoKo". I helped unload them and take the dams/crias/Llama to the show pen for a brief "inspection & health check" before they were allowed to join the herd. They have excellent health records and all passed the Rick Test with flying colors. In no time, they were walking down the hill to meet their new friends. The herdsire and companion went in with Ares and Nicholas. That didn't work out real well, so Nicholas is now in with Felix, ALPHA, Aerosmith, Luther and Harrison. The herdsires in Boy's Town got pretty rambunctious (spelling?) when the new herdsire arrived "on their turf". They acted up for awhile, with very puffed chests and tall, strong stature. Boys will be boys :)

O.K., back to Felix & ALPHA Big Adventure. Rick kept the super, duper, awesome, bitchin' trailer hooked up to the truck so the trailer was low enough for Alpacas to step in to. We took Felix & ALPHA and encouraged them (yeah, encouraged, Rick picked up their front feet and put them in the trailer) to get in the trailer. There was water and fresh hay in there, and they were pretty O.K. with it. No humming. Just curiosity. Rick closed the chain link back gate and left the trailer door open. We left them and went back to the patio for awhile. About 30 minutes later, we went and got them. They were perfectly fine. Eating hay, nosing around, looking out the windows...no big deal. That is so cool, as both of them will be riding in trailers in the future. ALPHA going to shows, and Felix visiting nursing homes/schools/charities and maybe even walking in a few parades. The photo at the top of the page has a caption "if you're happy and you know it, shake your head" (I know you know the tune). Yep, that's my Felix.

Oh, wow, I almost forgot my "baby watch" 45 minutes (between Pati leaving and Rick arriving). I put my cell phone in my back pocket (programmed for Rick & Pati), and went and sat outside the fence by the North field. I spent 45 minutes watching Lucy and Dewdrop's rear ends. Dewdrop really concerned me because she was cushed with her head down and wasn't chewing her cud. Then, she got up and moved to the fence corner by the water bucket, with her butt to the fence. She looked real uncomfortable. Lucy wasn't doing anything that appeared abnormal.
No babies today.

I hung out with "the kids" (oh, you should see little Patron Gold - what a cutie pie!) and watched Sweety play big sister to Patron, and Lancelot and Majik neck wrestle. I got a photo of Paris Hilton after a roll in the hay. But, I decided not to post that photo. I may save it to sell on Ebay.

We still aren't sure if Star or Meg Ryan are pregnant. Soon, Rick will ultrasound them. I sure hope they are. I haven't purchased Meg Ryan yet, but will very soon. The more I see her, the more I want her. When the new Alpacas arrived Saturday and were released to the main field, Meg Ryan came to greet them. She, then, took off in a full pronk (which I'd never seen before), across the main field, into the center field, and back around. It was really beautiful to see. I've posted a photo of her (2nd from top).

I got to help with treats today. Yep, Manda Smith with her head in the bucket, and Princess eating out of my hand. BUT, after treats, Manda Smith let me rub her neck and massage her back. I guess she liked it because she dropped to the ground to get reallllll comfortable. KoKo, the new Llama, ate from my hand. She's really cool. And, what a surprise! Star ate treats from my hand too. Vanilla would rather eat off the ground than come near my hand, and Meg just kind of looks at me and walks away. I did kinda sneak up on Percy and touched her hip :) That's the only way you can touch Miss Cheerleader, is to try to sneak up on her. Percy will be 1 year old August 21st. Considering she is the shortest gestation Alpaca cria to have ever survived (291 days), that is quite a feat. She thinks she is "Miss Thing" (and she is).

Yes, another great day at the ranch..