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....