Meg Is Signed, Sealed & Delivered

I was at the ranch last Sunday, all day. Rick said he had something for me to do that I had never done before, but it was a surprise. First I thought maybe we were going to trim teeth, then I thought maybe I was going to scoop poop, but, NOPE. Rick showed me how to transfer an Alpaca after a sale, online. He let me do all the typing and hit the "send" button. Meg Ryan is now signed, sealed, delivered; baby you're mine :) All my Alpacas are very special and dear to me, but Meg has a personality all her own and she is so much fun to watch. A few weeks ago, I saw her, at full pronk, racing around from one field to another, all by herself. What a magnificent sight. Regal.

We tried to ultrasound Meg again. This time we didn't put her in the shoot. I didn't have much trouble haltering her and short tying her up against the fence. I leaned my body into her, securing her against the fence. Rick was able to goop her up for the ultrasound with no problem. The machine still couldn't get contact. Rick is going to have it done by the Dr. Thacher the next time she comes out. I think she's pregnant. During the ultrasound attempt, Star stood on the other side of the fence up close where Meg could see her. There is an amazing bond there, that is really pretty cool.

We did quite a bit of breeding and spit testing. Blade and Fred got to have some fun. Blade is so loud, and Fred is a squeaker. The weather was perfect for dating.

Little Oliver is still just as cute as can be. I am so upset. I had some darling photos of him I took last weekend, and I THOUGHT I had downloaded them on my computer. So, I erased them from the camera. Well, I didn't download them. Grrrrrr! I'll take more next weekend. He is still a bottle baby, with feedings every 3 hours. Rick took a photo of me feeding him, but I can't seem to get it on to this site. I'll enlist Rick's help on Saturday. Oliver is making friends and appears to be a well adjusted 2 week old cria. He's gaining weight well and is very playful. I just wish (as I'm sure Pati and Rick do also) that he could learn how to be a good milk thief. There are moms in the field that would let him nurse, he just doesn't have the whole process down very well. Hopefully he will learn from the other crias, as several are nursing in the main field.
He, DJ and wild boy Kona seem to hang out together. Kona is a nut. He likes to jump up in the air, flip sideways and plow into the side of an adult. Kinda like a body slam. Oh, those little boys.

I helped Rick hold Harrison to draw some blood from his tail for DNA to register him. Rick haltered him today, for the first time since he was escorted to Boy's Town several months ago.
He jumped up in the air a little, then walked like he'd been doing it all his life. He was such a good boy. Felix walked with him, although he didn't need an escort. Most of the time, Harrison was leading. Felix is still my love bug. He's amazing and I love him so much. He may have his first "outing" to visit a club in Sun City, in December.

I walked ALPHA alone today. He's walked alone before, once or twice. He was great. It takes a little to get close enough to get the halter on him, but then, he's fine. We walked all around, between boulders, on concrete, on gravel, into the garage, the shed, the patio and he was fantastic. It's hard to believe he will be a year old November 4th.

Princess is HUGE. I don't know how her little legs hold her up. She's not a very big girl to begin with. I expect she will deliver sometime in late October. I'll be in Washington from October 17-21, so I hope, hope, hope she'll wait until I get back. But, if not, I know Rick will call and send me pictures. I love the close up I've posted of her. Today, she ate hay, tree branches, then treats from my hand. How cool is that????? She's a special girl and a super mom. Boy? Girl? Color? The suspense is killing me. It won't be long....

Rick had the little girls from center field in the nursery. A few girls are ready for their "dates".
Vanilla Sundae is in that field and came up with the herd. Vanilla cushed at the gate, watching the breeding, and looking like she wanted to raise her hoof and go "me next". I don't think we'll have any problem at all with her when the times comes. She's such a pretty, sweet little girl. Her mom, Carmel Sunday, is due on Rick's birthday, in a few weeks.

It was a great day at the ranch. Beautiful weather, nice breeze, new experiences and lots and lots of Alpacas to enjoy.

Last Thursday, I met Rick & Pati at the L.A. County Fair. We had a great time, especially hanging out with the animals. Lots of darling little pigs (and a mom delivering), cows, sheep, goats (including angora goats - oh my goodness, are they cool), a camel, and even one llama and one alpaca. Neither looked like they had ever been shorn. At least our weather has cooled off so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Saw the Budweiser Clydesdales. Watched a milking demonstration, ate, had a few beers and did some shopping. I think Rick's favorite thing was the corn dogs (yes, I meant that to be plural).