Yep, I was at the ranch last Saturday and Armana had her cria on Sunday. Figures. She had a darling little boy whose name is Deja Vu (DJ for short). Why? Because he has similar markings of his half brother and full sister. A few white spots on his face and white on his front legs up to his knees. He is so cute! And, he follows Rick around the ranch like a puppy.
On Tuesday, Percy's birthday, mom Dewdrop gave her the best present. A baby sister! She's all black and cute as a button. Her name is Oda Mae Brown. Who is Oda Mae Brown? The character Whoopie Goldberg played in the movie "Ghost". Dad is Merlin.
THEN...yesterday, while I was at the ranch, Kir Royale gave birth to a perfect 17.1 pound little girl. She was very dilated when I got to the ranch, and within an hour, she was delivering. It was a perfect, uneventful birth. The little girl had her legs crossed a bit, so Rick helped mom finish up the delivery to make it easier. Immediately, this little cria was active, cushing, rolling and trying to stand. She has some pretty long legs, so it took her awhile to get them all going in the same direction. Although she doesn't belong to me, she is a "relative". Kir Royale is Carmel Sunday's daughter. Carmel Sunday is my girl Vanilla Sundae's mom. Vivace is the new cria's dad. Vivace is Vanilla's dad. So, this new little girl is Vanilla's niece (on mom's side) and her half sister (on dad's side). This sounds like a "you know you're a red-neck" joke, doesn't it?
Since it wasn't as hot as it had been, Fred had another date with Star. Nope, Star is not pregnant yet :( Rick gave her a shot of pacarelaxer (no, that's not the real name), waited 30 minutes, then brought Fred in for his date. Star was very cooperative and calm. After 30 minutes or so (Go Fred!), mission accomplished. Well, we'll see what she does in the next few weeks. Hopefully, mission accomplished. Meg Ryan might be pregnant. Although she doesn't spit at a male, she turns sideways, stands very tall, and raises her tail. That's the "get away from me" stance. Rick said soon he can ultrasound Meg to make sure.
Since it was pretty humid, I belly hosed the boys to cool them off. As the afternoon progressed, a nice breeze came up, so Rick and I walked ALPHA and Felix around the ranch. They both did great. I practiced having ALPHA stand straight, which he will need to do when he's shown at AlpacaFest West in November. He is doing great. Felix stopped at every weed, tree, and wherever there was a piece of hay laying on the ground. He is such a piggy.
Here is a photo of Kir Royale's new cria. I tried getting photos of DJ and Oda Mae, but they didn't come out very good. I'll try again next weekend. I've also posted a photo of Rick and Kir's cria.
Thanks, Kir, you made my day!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Percy, Star & Harrison!!
August 21st is a red letter day at All American Alpacas, as Percy will celebrate her first birthday. You may wonder why her 1st birthday is more exciting than Harrison's 1st birthday, or Star's 2nd birthday. I've written previously about Percy, who was born at day 291, the shortest gestation of a cria to survive. Rick & Pati found her in the north field early in the morning on August 21, 2006. She was very small, gray, lifeless and had no temperature. After immersing her in warm water, they were able to detect a temperature. She was too small and too weak to nurse, let alone stand. Aside from needing plasma and antibiotics, she also needed to be tube fed for several days. Because her body temperature wouldn't auto-regulate in the sun, she was only able to stay in the nursery with mom, Dewdrop, for short periods of time. Since last summer was so brutally hot, Percy spent most of her early days in the house on a sheep skin pillow. So she wouldn't go potty and then lay in it, she also wore teensy, tiny, baby diapers. As she grew stronger and could suck, she was then bottle fed until she was able to nurse. I think Rick said she weighed about 7 pounds when he found her. The average weight of a newborn cria is about 14 to 20 pounds. The odds were certainly against this little girl, but with the love, knowledge, dedication and perseverance of Rick & Pati, on Tuesday she will celebrate her first birthday. You've probably figured out that Percy is short for "Perseverance", her legal name. After all she's been through, you would not know it, as she is a healthy, vibrant, playful little girl that truly believes she is "Miss Thing" in the field. She is. So, a very Happy Birthday to the miracle cria, ALLAA Perseverance 291!
In the midst of trying to save Percy, Harrison was born. His was an uneventful birth, which was a blessing as Rick & Pati sure had their hands full with Percy. Today, Harrison is a good looking potential future herdsire who lives with my boys ALPHA and Felix (as well as Nicholas, Luther and Aerosmith). Harrison is a sweetheart and very curious when you walk in his field. Happy Birthday, Harrison!
Last but not least, my girl, Star, will celebrate her 2nd birthday on Tuesday. I think it's time for her to be pregnant :) I am so happy to have Star in my "herd" as she is a beautiful girl and really sweet. I just know she'll have spectacular babies. Maybe Fred has a special birthday present for her :) Happy Birthday, Star!
I spent all day at the ranch yesterday. Although we expected babies last weekend, there were none born, nor were there any born this week. I just knew we would see "nose and toes" yesterday. Athena looked very uncomfortable. Armana was showing physical signs of impending birth (and will probably deliver today...figures!). Paloma looks like she swallowed the Goodyear Blimp. Kalea is spending too much time at the poop pile. Dewdrop, on the other hand, didn't act like she was quite ready. I think she's waiting to deliver her cria on her daughter Percy's birthday. Wouldn't that be something.
It was really too hot yesterday to do any breeding or spit testing. It was also too hot to walk Felix, ALPHA and Aerosmith. Twice, I belly hosed the boys. The girls were O.K., because the sprinklers were going on about every hour or so (which they LOVE). I spent some time with the boys, just hanging out with them. Felix continues to be the love bug, BUT, when I walked up to him at the feeder, started rubbing his neck and leaned over to kiss his cute little nose, he turned and spit at me! Not the yukky, disgusting, smelly spit, but a little air spit with some wet hay in it. What was that all about? He clearly wasn't letting me know to leave him alone, as he stood there and let me put my hands all over him. Maybe he was just practicing. ALPHA, on the other hand, still isn't keen on me walking right up to him, but that's O.K. I realize that Felix has an exceptional personality which is why he will be so good as a therapy animal. You can tell all the boys in this field are buddies, which is cool.
Meg Ryan's registration is almost complete. Once it is, I will be able to buy her. We think she might be pregnant, but aren't certain yet.
I helped with treats just before I left. What could be better than being surrounded by Alpacas that are all very happy to see you carrying the famous blue bucket? Sometimes, giving treats also gives you the opportunity to touch them and feel their fiber. Of course, I love that Princess and Star will eat from my hand. Princess looks like she's going to explode. Her belly is really growing and she's got about 2 1/2 months to go. Oh, the anticipation!
Percy, Harrison, and Star....I will be thinking of you on Tuesday and wishing you all a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
In the midst of trying to save Percy, Harrison was born. His was an uneventful birth, which was a blessing as Rick & Pati sure had their hands full with Percy. Today, Harrison is a good looking potential future herdsire who lives with my boys ALPHA and Felix (as well as Nicholas, Luther and Aerosmith). Harrison is a sweetheart and very curious when you walk in his field. Happy Birthday, Harrison!
Last but not least, my girl, Star, will celebrate her 2nd birthday on Tuesday. I think it's time for her to be pregnant :) I am so happy to have Star in my "herd" as she is a beautiful girl and really sweet. I just know she'll have spectacular babies. Maybe Fred has a special birthday present for her :) Happy Birthday, Star!
I spent all day at the ranch yesterday. Although we expected babies last weekend, there were none born, nor were there any born this week. I just knew we would see "nose and toes" yesterday. Athena looked very uncomfortable. Armana was showing physical signs of impending birth (and will probably deliver today...figures!). Paloma looks like she swallowed the Goodyear Blimp. Kalea is spending too much time at the poop pile. Dewdrop, on the other hand, didn't act like she was quite ready. I think she's waiting to deliver her cria on her daughter Percy's birthday. Wouldn't that be something.
It was really too hot yesterday to do any breeding or spit testing. It was also too hot to walk Felix, ALPHA and Aerosmith. Twice, I belly hosed the boys. The girls were O.K., because the sprinklers were going on about every hour or so (which they LOVE). I spent some time with the boys, just hanging out with them. Felix continues to be the love bug, BUT, when I walked up to him at the feeder, started rubbing his neck and leaned over to kiss his cute little nose, he turned and spit at me! Not the yukky, disgusting, smelly spit, but a little air spit with some wet hay in it. What was that all about? He clearly wasn't letting me know to leave him alone, as he stood there and let me put my hands all over him. Maybe he was just practicing. ALPHA, on the other hand, still isn't keen on me walking right up to him, but that's O.K. I realize that Felix has an exceptional personality which is why he will be so good as a therapy animal. You can tell all the boys in this field are buddies, which is cool.
Meg Ryan's registration is almost complete. Once it is, I will be able to buy her. We think she might be pregnant, but aren't certain yet.
I helped with treats just before I left. What could be better than being surrounded by Alpacas that are all very happy to see you carrying the famous blue bucket? Sometimes, giving treats also gives you the opportunity to touch them and feel their fiber. Of course, I love that Princess and Star will eat from my hand. Princess looks like she's going to explode. Her belly is really growing and she's got about 2 1/2 months to go. Oh, the anticipation!
Percy, Harrison, and Star....I will be thinking of you on Tuesday and wishing you all a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Star Sits AGAIN!
You may remember I titled a previous blog "Star Sits on May 31", which was a red letter day. After several attempts to introduce her to Fred (and Mo), she finally figured out what to do and sat for Fred. I was so excited to think she may be pregnant. During spit testings, sometime she would spit, sometime she would sit. Well, yesterday she sat again, for awhile. Fred tried a few times and appeared to be successful, but who knows. This maiden is presenting a real challenge in the breeding department. Rick is going to try a little pacaphrodisiac (may be spelled wrong, but you know what I mean) today with hopes that will do the trick.
Although there was every indication that 3 girls may deliver their crias while I was at the ranch, NOPE, no babies. Felix's mom is one of them and she looks like she is ready to pop. She's not a very friendly girl when she is pregnant, but now let's Rick rub her neck. Sounds like hormone changes related to impending birth. Percy's mom, Dewdrop, is also due any day, as is Kalea. Watch, I was at the ranch yesterday and all 3 will have their babies today.
It was a nice day with a beautiful breeze. All the Alpacas (with the exception of the very pregnant ones) seemed very content. Many of them hung out in the nursery all day, which was cool as we can watch them from the patio. Majik and Apollo were neck wrestling, Sweety was annoying the moms, and little Patron Gold spend most of the day laying in the sun. My girl, Princess (ALPHA's mom) spent almost all day in the nursery and hardly took a breath between bites of hay. That's O.K., Princess, you go ahead and pig out as the baby is your tummy needs it.
Her tummy is getting big, as the cria now goes into full growing mode for the last few months of her pregnancy.
Aerosmith experienced his Big Adventure today. He's only been on a halter once, and that was to move to Boy's Town. He needs to get used to the halter, as he will be going to a show in November. Rick haltered Aerosmith (without much resistance), and I haltered Felix (who just stands at the feeder now and let's me) and we took the two of them for a walk. Aerosmith had his brakes on for a minute, but then settled down and walked really well for his first time. We walked all around the ranch and down to the main field to see the girls, Manda Smith (his mom) included. Manda spotted him, clucked a few times, and walked closer to the fence (although not right up to the fence). There was no doubt she knew Aerosmith is her boy.
Felix did very well walking all over the place and not pulling the lead. He is becoming quite the "huggable investment" and I am so proud of him.
ALPHA also had a new adventure today. I walked him, by himself, for the first time. He's used to walking with Felix. He needs to be cornered in order to halter him, but does so with no resistance. With very little encouragement, he walked out of the alley, up the hill and all around the ranch. We stopped at the nursery so he could see mom, Princess. She came to the fence to see him and they touched noses and clucked. How cute! Yep, she knows that's her boy. He also walked on to the patio and in to the garage with no problem. We had a chance to look at his spots, that appear to be getting a little larger (very little). Rick said it may not be they are getting bigger, but the silver fiber is growing faster than the brown, which is a good thing. We still don't know what color he will be classified in shows. I guess we need to wait until November (AlpacaFest West) to see what he looks like then. I am so proud of my little boy. He is such a handsome guy; great conformation, bite, teeth, fiber, color, disposition and properly maturing testicles. That's very important for a junior herdsire :). Although I am hoping Princess has a little girl this year, if she has a boy like ALPHA I won't be disappointed.
Meg Ryan's registration should be completed very soon. Then, I can buy her. I am looking forward to adding her to the "herd". She has a unique personality and is fun to watch because she does goofy things. Rick put Meg in the show pen with Fred and she stood tall, sideways, and raised her tail. She didn't spit, but made it very clear she wanted no part of him. Maybe she's pregnant????? She and Star remain best buddies and if you see one, the other isn't far behind.
I spent some time in the center field with Vanilla Sundae. She seems to know who I am now. Although she doesn't walk right up to me, she does walk "near" me and appears to listen when I talk to her. She seems to be very happy being one of the big girls among recently weaned youngsters. She's got her "childhood" friends with her; Zoe (who is growing like a weed), Zsa Zsa, Ava, Gale, and the most famous girl on the ranch (step aside Paris Hilton), Percy! Percy may be going to the show in November, with Zoe and ALPHA, for "Get of Sire". That would be so cool to win as it shows the quality of cria Fred produces. He's an exceptional sire and makes really nice babies.
Yes, another great day at the ranch....
Although there was every indication that 3 girls may deliver their crias while I was at the ranch, NOPE, no babies. Felix's mom is one of them and she looks like she is ready to pop. She's not a very friendly girl when she is pregnant, but now let's Rick rub her neck. Sounds like hormone changes related to impending birth. Percy's mom, Dewdrop, is also due any day, as is Kalea. Watch, I was at the ranch yesterday and all 3 will have their babies today.
It was a nice day with a beautiful breeze. All the Alpacas (with the exception of the very pregnant ones) seemed very content. Many of them hung out in the nursery all day, which was cool as we can watch them from the patio. Majik and Apollo were neck wrestling, Sweety was annoying the moms, and little Patron Gold spend most of the day laying in the sun. My girl, Princess (ALPHA's mom) spent almost all day in the nursery and hardly took a breath between bites of hay. That's O.K., Princess, you go ahead and pig out as the baby is your tummy needs it.
Her tummy is getting big, as the cria now goes into full growing mode for the last few months of her pregnancy.
Aerosmith experienced his Big Adventure today. He's only been on a halter once, and that was to move to Boy's Town. He needs to get used to the halter, as he will be going to a show in November. Rick haltered Aerosmith (without much resistance), and I haltered Felix (who just stands at the feeder now and let's me) and we took the two of them for a walk. Aerosmith had his brakes on for a minute, but then settled down and walked really well for his first time. We walked all around the ranch and down to the main field to see the girls, Manda Smith (his mom) included. Manda spotted him, clucked a few times, and walked closer to the fence (although not right up to the fence). There was no doubt she knew Aerosmith is her boy.
Felix did very well walking all over the place and not pulling the lead. He is becoming quite the "huggable investment" and I am so proud of him.
ALPHA also had a new adventure today. I walked him, by himself, for the first time. He's used to walking with Felix. He needs to be cornered in order to halter him, but does so with no resistance. With very little encouragement, he walked out of the alley, up the hill and all around the ranch. We stopped at the nursery so he could see mom, Princess. She came to the fence to see him and they touched noses and clucked. How cute! Yep, she knows that's her boy. He also walked on to the patio and in to the garage with no problem. We had a chance to look at his spots, that appear to be getting a little larger (very little). Rick said it may not be they are getting bigger, but the silver fiber is growing faster than the brown, which is a good thing. We still don't know what color he will be classified in shows. I guess we need to wait until November (AlpacaFest West) to see what he looks like then. I am so proud of my little boy. He is such a handsome guy; great conformation, bite, teeth, fiber, color, disposition and properly maturing testicles. That's very important for a junior herdsire :). Although I am hoping Princess has a little girl this year, if she has a boy like ALPHA I won't be disappointed.
Meg Ryan's registration should be completed very soon. Then, I can buy her. I am looking forward to adding her to the "herd". She has a unique personality and is fun to watch because she does goofy things. Rick put Meg in the show pen with Fred and she stood tall, sideways, and raised her tail. She didn't spit, but made it very clear she wanted no part of him. Maybe she's pregnant????? She and Star remain best buddies and if you see one, the other isn't far behind.
I spent some time in the center field with Vanilla Sundae. She seems to know who I am now. Although she doesn't walk right up to me, she does walk "near" me and appears to listen when I talk to her. She seems to be very happy being one of the big girls among recently weaned youngsters. She's got her "childhood" friends with her; Zoe (who is growing like a weed), Zsa Zsa, Ava, Gale, and the most famous girl on the ranch (step aside Paris Hilton), Percy! Percy may be going to the show in November, with Zoe and ALPHA, for "Get of Sire". That would be so cool to win as it shows the quality of cria Fred produces. He's an exceptional sire and makes really nice babies.
Yes, another great day at the ranch....
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Happy Birthday Felix!
Actually, Felix's 1st birthday is Tuesday, August 7th. I am so proud of him, and so grateful that Pati and Rick gave him to me. After a little spell of not being very friendly or cooperative, he is better than ever. Although most Alpacas have sweet dispositions, they don't care much for being handled. Not my Felix! Again, yesterday, he let me rub him all over and gave me lots of clucking kisses. He walked very well around the ranch, but must stop and eat every piece of hay on the ground, every weed, and nibble on every tree.
Rick and I walked Felix and ALPHA all around the ranch, down into the shed (and in to some small spaces), around and through the big boulders in the front, through the garage, and on to the patio. They both did great. You can tell there is a bond between them, which is so cool as they will be together for a long time to come. We put them in the show pen for awhile, to get them used to new places. There was a branch from one of the Pepper trees in there (which Felix loves, but ALPHA had never experienced before). ALPHA picked up the branch and started eating it. Felix wanted ALPHA to share, which made a cute photo (posted above). We weighed them today. Felix 90.5 pounds, ALPHA 72.6 pounds. ALPHA is 3 months younger than Felix.
Felix is getting very tall, which seems to be normal for a gelding. ALPHA is pretty good about letting you touch him and check his fiber. His spots haven't changed at all. Right now we think he would be considered an Appaloosa in the show ring. He has about 8 silver spots, quite small. Show rules dictate that he has to have at least 6 spots, visible to the naked eye, to be considered Appaloosa. Time will tell. Rick said he'll need to be color checked at his first show to determine what color he is considered "officially". His first show will be in November. No telling what may happen in the next 3 months.
I spent some time in the fields with the moms, soon to be moms, and the crias. Little Patron Gold gets cuter and cuter every week. He actually let me get a hold of him and feel his fiber. He is SO SOFT. He's a pretty personable little guy. He'll walk up pretty close to you or will follow you around the field. Miss Paris Hilton is a tease. She'll stand fairly close and look at you with those big brown eyes. Try to get closer, she takes off. Majik and Lancelot are best buddies and love to neck wrestle. Apollo's fiber is beautiful. Sweety is still a trouble maker (and acts like Patron's big sister). Princess is really starting to look pregnant. She is due in less than 90 days. Her actual due date is November 3rd. But, she went 339 days with ALPHA, so based on that, she may deliver in late October. I'll be in Washington from October 17 to 21, so I hope she waits until I get back. As much as I'd like her to have a little girl this year, if she had another boy like ALPHA, I won't be disappointed. The suspense is killing me. What gender? What color? It still amazes me that you can't base color of cria on the colors of dam and sire. Alpacas are full of surprises. I've started thinking of names, but won't really decide until the cria is born.
Vanilla Sundae is doing great and growing. She's in the center field with mostly youngsters that have been her buddies since they were little. She's still a little too young to be bred, so we'll wait until Mo gets back in the Fall and hopefully breed her in December.
Still don't know if Star and Meg Ryan are pregnant. Rick says they are both very hard to read. He walked Fred by the main field fence and Meg came running up to see him (Star wasn't far behind). So, Rick walked Fred into the "alley" where Meg and Star were, and Meg stood tall and sideways with her tail in the air. Rick said that means "stay away from me". Star did the same thing. I hope that's a good sign. It's still too early to ultrasound them. Time will tell.
Usually, several Alpacas will come up to the nursery during the day and hang out. It's fun to sit on the patio and watch them. Today, all but a few decided to stay in the main field. Was it something we said? :( Or, maybe it was because it was a nice day, with a great breeze, and they just enjoyed sun bathing.
I helped with treats again today. Meg had her head in the bucket, as did, of course, Manda Smith. As hard as I try, I can't get any of the youngsters to eat out of my hand. Princess will. Now, Star eats from my hand, too. How cool is that? Treat time is a great opportunity for Rick to put his hands on the crias and check their fiber for quality and color underneath. Majik is silver underneath the rose gray outercoat.
I can't truly express how much I look forward to going out to the ranch every weekend. I love spending time with all the Alpacas. I may only be "mom" to 5 (soon 6), but I'm "auntie" to all the rest. I love them as if they were my own. And, I am so grateful for all the time Pati and Rick spend with me, teaching me everything I need to know to prepare for the time when I have my own ranch. We have talked about a cooperative ranch, where a few owners would live on the same property and collectively care for the herd. For me, that would be ideal.
Rick and I walked Felix and ALPHA all around the ranch, down into the shed (and in to some small spaces), around and through the big boulders in the front, through the garage, and on to the patio. They both did great. You can tell there is a bond between them, which is so cool as they will be together for a long time to come. We put them in the show pen for awhile, to get them used to new places. There was a branch from one of the Pepper trees in there (which Felix loves, but ALPHA had never experienced before). ALPHA picked up the branch and started eating it. Felix wanted ALPHA to share, which made a cute photo (posted above). We weighed them today. Felix 90.5 pounds, ALPHA 72.6 pounds. ALPHA is 3 months younger than Felix.
Felix is getting very tall, which seems to be normal for a gelding. ALPHA is pretty good about letting you touch him and check his fiber. His spots haven't changed at all. Right now we think he would be considered an Appaloosa in the show ring. He has about 8 silver spots, quite small. Show rules dictate that he has to have at least 6 spots, visible to the naked eye, to be considered Appaloosa. Time will tell. Rick said he'll need to be color checked at his first show to determine what color he is considered "officially". His first show will be in November. No telling what may happen in the next 3 months.
I spent some time in the fields with the moms, soon to be moms, and the crias. Little Patron Gold gets cuter and cuter every week. He actually let me get a hold of him and feel his fiber. He is SO SOFT. He's a pretty personable little guy. He'll walk up pretty close to you or will follow you around the field. Miss Paris Hilton is a tease. She'll stand fairly close and look at you with those big brown eyes. Try to get closer, she takes off. Majik and Lancelot are best buddies and love to neck wrestle. Apollo's fiber is beautiful. Sweety is still a trouble maker (and acts like Patron's big sister). Princess is really starting to look pregnant. She is due in less than 90 days. Her actual due date is November 3rd. But, she went 339 days with ALPHA, so based on that, she may deliver in late October. I'll be in Washington from October 17 to 21, so I hope she waits until I get back. As much as I'd like her to have a little girl this year, if she had another boy like ALPHA, I won't be disappointed. The suspense is killing me. What gender? What color? It still amazes me that you can't base color of cria on the colors of dam and sire. Alpacas are full of surprises. I've started thinking of names, but won't really decide until the cria is born.
Vanilla Sundae is doing great and growing. She's in the center field with mostly youngsters that have been her buddies since they were little. She's still a little too young to be bred, so we'll wait until Mo gets back in the Fall and hopefully breed her in December.
Still don't know if Star and Meg Ryan are pregnant. Rick says they are both very hard to read. He walked Fred by the main field fence and Meg came running up to see him (Star wasn't far behind). So, Rick walked Fred into the "alley" where Meg and Star were, and Meg stood tall and sideways with her tail in the air. Rick said that means "stay away from me". Star did the same thing. I hope that's a good sign. It's still too early to ultrasound them. Time will tell.
Usually, several Alpacas will come up to the nursery during the day and hang out. It's fun to sit on the patio and watch them. Today, all but a few decided to stay in the main field. Was it something we said? :( Or, maybe it was because it was a nice day, with a great breeze, and they just enjoyed sun bathing.
I helped with treats again today. Meg had her head in the bucket, as did, of course, Manda Smith. As hard as I try, I can't get any of the youngsters to eat out of my hand. Princess will. Now, Star eats from my hand, too. How cool is that? Treat time is a great opportunity for Rick to put his hands on the crias and check their fiber for quality and color underneath. Majik is silver underneath the rose gray outercoat.
I can't truly express how much I look forward to going out to the ranch every weekend. I love spending time with all the Alpacas. I may only be "mom" to 5 (soon 6), but I'm "auntie" to all the rest. I love them as if they were my own. And, I am so grateful for all the time Pati and Rick spend with me, teaching me everything I need to know to prepare for the time when I have my own ranch. We have talked about a cooperative ranch, where a few owners would live on the same property and collectively care for the herd. For me, that would be ideal.
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