Last Saturday, I got out to the ranch about 9AM. It was a beautiful morning with clear skies and a view of the snow-capped mountains that was breathtaking. All the Alpacas were in the fields, lounging around in the sun, or hanging out at the feeder. They all looked so relaxed and content.
I took a walk through the fields to say hello to everyone. I love to sit on the ground in the fields. Most of the time, several of the Alpacas will surround me. They are so curious. They'll sniff my hair, and bite at my jeans, or try to untie my shoes. I was wearing sandals today, and Meg Ryan actually pulled off my sandal and threw it up in the air. I can count on kisses from Dusty Rose, and a friendly air spit from Penelope.
Our mission, today, is to continue halter training for the Phoenix show, which is in a little over 2 weeks. We started with Indy and Paris Hilton. They, both, did great. Then, Bianca and Zoe. Bianca is doing so much better than a few weeks ago. Zoe is having a hard time with this whole halter thing. The boys were great, with Felix walking with Majik, and Alpha walking with DJ. Today was DJ's first time on a halter and he was perfect! He acted like he'd been on a halter all his life.
Felix was a little moody today. He has his ups and downs, for sure. He came out into the alley between fields when I was haltering Alpha. I was having a problem getting him to go back in his field, so Rick said to leave him in the alley until I walk Alpha. When we came back, Alpha went right in his field. I left the gate open and tried to encourage Felix to go in. Oh no, he'd rather eat these dried up little clusters of weeks in the dirt. I had a heck of a time getting him in. Finally, I got behind him and started pushing his butt. He spit, and spit, and spit. Good thing I was behind him. Finally, he went in, but he wasn't happy about it. And, yes, Rick was at the top of the hill watching the whole thing, laughing out loud.
We took advantage of everyone that was on halters today and weighed them. Here are weights of some of my "kids". I don't expect to be weighing Princess, Vanilla Sundae, Star or Meg Ryan.
ALPHA/15 months 89.1 lbs
Felix/18 months 114 lbs
Pati Cake/at 2 months 46.4 lbs
My intention is to try to get Pati Cake weighed next weekend. Pati suggested I try putting a halter on her to get her started early for training. Great idea! As you can see, all my youngsters are doing well and growing. I'm anxious for ALPHA to exceed 100 pounds. Pati Cake is 4 months old now, yet was 2 months old the last time she was weighed.
We also weighed Paris Hilton (79.5); Indy (98.8), Zoe (126.5), Bianca (130), Majik (66.2), and
DJ (76.5). Paris Hilton must have lead in her belly. No way does she look like she weighs near that much. Overall, they did pretty well on the scale.
I helped with treats, one of my favorite things to do. I gave treats in the North field, so I can reacquaint myself with the moms and crias there. Oops, can't forget the Llamas in that field. Lillith, Rose and KoKo. They are a hoot. Rose gently body slams you for hugs; Lillith plays hard to get, except for Rick (she loves Rick), and KoKo is just a sweetheart.
Yes, it was another great day at the ranch.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
December 26th to February 10th
Yep, I blinked...and the next thing I knew it had been at least 6 weeks since I've written. That doesn't mean I haven't been at the ranch. It just means I've been in the midst of a whirlwind that is finally coming to an end. Between moving my office, the holidays, escorting 60 of my best clients and friends on a cruise, and hosting my family Super Bowl party, life has been nuts. Plus, the busiest months in the travel business are January through April. Whew!
I've been out at the ranch just about every weekend since my last post. Some weekends it wasn't possible because of the heavy rains. I had the pleasure of Pacasitting one weekend in January. Rick & Pati went to an Alpaca auction in Las Vegas. I didn't spend the night at the ranch, but was there during the days. The first day I brought my laptop because I had some work to do. I scooped up an armful of "new" hay and coaxed the Alpacas up to the nursery and show pen, which is right next to the patio. They hung out with me while I worked. It was heaven, listening to them hum (and an occasion spit over that special piece of hay), and watching the crias annoy the adults.
For awhile, the mission was trimming toenails and teeth. My help consists of either holding the animal for toes, to total spectator for teeth. The appliance used for their teeth is pretty intimidating to me. That's a real good Rick job.
Now, we're getting the line up ready for the Phoenix show next month. A week after Phoenix is the International Alpaca Odyssey in Del Mar, CA. A little break, then Denver and on to the Nationals, in May, in Salt Lake City, UT. Oh yes, I'll be walking my special boy, ALPHA, in the rings at these shows, and will be overjoyed if he wins any ribbons. That means halter training little boys and girls, microchipping, and obtaining health certificates from Dr. Thacher. While halter training, you have the opportunity to really check the fiber, bite, conformation (on an off the halter) and testicles (if applicable), to determine if this animal is the best choice for the show. Last weekend we put halters on Zoe and Bianca. Although Zoe had been haltered once before (I think last October), she wasn't real keen on the idea. Bianca was a cry baby and refused to raise her head. We tried walking them around in the nursery for awhile, without much success. Last Saturday, we haltered them up again, and once out of the pen, they both did great! Zoe kept wanting to lower her head. When I'd lift it, she's snuggle at my neck. What a love bug! At the end of their successful walk, Bianca was microchipped. Zoe was done last October. We also walked Indy (who, also had been haltered only once, last October), and Swirl. who both acted like they'd been on halters forever. Swirl was chipped today, too. Oh yes, in the microchipping process, I am the "holder". Rick gets the fun part of inserting the microchip. The week prior, ALPHA, Majik and Aerosmith got their chips.
We also walked Felix and Majik, then ALPHA and Aerosmith. Felix was in a little "mood" today, but was still O.K. I think he was mad at me for spending time with the herdsires before going in to see him. We did spit testing today, too. Poor Mo (Show Me The Money) got spit at 5 times! So, he went and rolled in a huge Rosemary plant (coming up with a blanket full of little purple flowers), and chewing the branches. I guess he thought if he smelled better the girls would like him. Nope. What that means is he did his job right the first time :) I found out Felix likes to be scratched right above his tail (like cats do). I'll have to see if the others like it, as well.
The crias born last Fall are getting so big! Sonny is stunning (check out the photo - he is REGAL); Cher is still a cutie patutie' Mora's chocolate brown fiber is true black underneath (after shearing, she and Pati Cake will look like twins); Pati Cake is growing like a weed and still black as black can be; Tonto has a personality to match his expression; Dip N Dot and her sister Swirl look like carbon copies and also hang out together; Oliver and his adopted sister Soleil are best buddies; Norma Rae is doing well since her mom (an Alpaca with issues) went to a new home; Christopher is getting big and will be going to a new home soon (with Oliver). I haven't been in the North Field for quite some time as the Wicked Witch of the West was in there (Paloma - Felix and Norma Rae's mom). So, I really need to reacquaint myself with the moms and crias over there. Off the top of my head, I know the crias are Kona, Lily Belle, Oda Mae Brown and Apollo. I'm so sorry if I forgot anyone.
I continue to learn new things every week. I've learned to calm an Alpaca, put your arm around their neck and use your other hand to rub the top of their head. You can actually feel the animal relax. I've also learned some Alpacas need regular toenail clipping, while others never or seldom need it. Same with teeth. Some Alpacas need teeth trimming, some don't. What a difference teeth trimming makes. Penelope looks like a million bucks with her teeth trimmed. I've learned you don't walk a herdsire by another herdsire during breeding. I've learned it's O.K. to grab an Alpaca by their fiber to hold them. I've learned it is much easier to halter train boys. I've learned how important it is to truly be in touch with your animals. How important it is to see each animal, each day, and be conscious of unusual behavior. The best part of having these wonderful creatures is sitting out in the fields with them, just hanging out. I could sit and watch them all day.
Each Saturday I spend at All American Alpacas in better than the last. Rick & Pati are so gracious and I appreciate their friendship so much. If it wasn't for them, I sure wouldn't have 7 fabulous Alpacas today. Speaking of 7 Alpacas, I'm keeping my fingers crossed to have 4 more by year end. Princess, Star and Meg Ryan (all bred to Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador) and Vanilla Sundae (bred to Show Me The Money) should all have crias this year. The jury is still out on Meg Ryan. We just can't read her. Princess and Vanilla Sundae are confirmed pregnant, and we have every reason to believe Star is, as well (she is HUGE). The first due date is August 2008 (Star). Princess and Vanilla Sundae are due in December 2008.
Shows in March, shearing in April, shows in May. I can't wait!
I've been out at the ranch just about every weekend since my last post. Some weekends it wasn't possible because of the heavy rains. I had the pleasure of Pacasitting one weekend in January. Rick & Pati went to an Alpaca auction in Las Vegas. I didn't spend the night at the ranch, but was there during the days. The first day I brought my laptop because I had some work to do. I scooped up an armful of "new" hay and coaxed the Alpacas up to the nursery and show pen, which is right next to the patio. They hung out with me while I worked. It was heaven, listening to them hum (and an occasion spit over that special piece of hay), and watching the crias annoy the adults.
For awhile, the mission was trimming toenails and teeth. My help consists of either holding the animal for toes, to total spectator for teeth. The appliance used for their teeth is pretty intimidating to me. That's a real good Rick job.
Now, we're getting the line up ready for the Phoenix show next month. A week after Phoenix is the International Alpaca Odyssey in Del Mar, CA. A little break, then Denver and on to the Nationals, in May, in Salt Lake City, UT. Oh yes, I'll be walking my special boy, ALPHA, in the rings at these shows, and will be overjoyed if he wins any ribbons. That means halter training little boys and girls, microchipping, and obtaining health certificates from Dr. Thacher. While halter training, you have the opportunity to really check the fiber, bite, conformation (on an off the halter) and testicles (if applicable), to determine if this animal is the best choice for the show. Last weekend we put halters on Zoe and Bianca. Although Zoe had been haltered once before (I think last October), she wasn't real keen on the idea. Bianca was a cry baby and refused to raise her head. We tried walking them around in the nursery for awhile, without much success. Last Saturday, we haltered them up again, and once out of the pen, they both did great! Zoe kept wanting to lower her head. When I'd lift it, she's snuggle at my neck. What a love bug! At the end of their successful walk, Bianca was microchipped. Zoe was done last October. We also walked Indy (who, also had been haltered only once, last October), and Swirl. who both acted like they'd been on halters forever. Swirl was chipped today, too. Oh yes, in the microchipping process, I am the "holder". Rick gets the fun part of inserting the microchip. The week prior, ALPHA, Majik and Aerosmith got their chips.
We also walked Felix and Majik, then ALPHA and Aerosmith. Felix was in a little "mood" today, but was still O.K. I think he was mad at me for spending time with the herdsires before going in to see him. We did spit testing today, too. Poor Mo (Show Me The Money) got spit at 5 times! So, he went and rolled in a huge Rosemary plant (coming up with a blanket full of little purple flowers), and chewing the branches. I guess he thought if he smelled better the girls would like him. Nope. What that means is he did his job right the first time :) I found out Felix likes to be scratched right above his tail (like cats do). I'll have to see if the others like it, as well.
The crias born last Fall are getting so big! Sonny is stunning (check out the photo - he is REGAL); Cher is still a cutie patutie' Mora's chocolate brown fiber is true black underneath (after shearing, she and Pati Cake will look like twins); Pati Cake is growing like a weed and still black as black can be; Tonto has a personality to match his expression; Dip N Dot and her sister Swirl look like carbon copies and also hang out together; Oliver and his adopted sister Soleil are best buddies; Norma Rae is doing well since her mom (an Alpaca with issues) went to a new home; Christopher is getting big and will be going to a new home soon (with Oliver). I haven't been in the North Field for quite some time as the Wicked Witch of the West was in there (Paloma - Felix and Norma Rae's mom). So, I really need to reacquaint myself with the moms and crias over there. Off the top of my head, I know the crias are Kona, Lily Belle, Oda Mae Brown and Apollo. I'm so sorry if I forgot anyone.
I continue to learn new things every week. I've learned to calm an Alpaca, put your arm around their neck and use your other hand to rub the top of their head. You can actually feel the animal relax. I've also learned some Alpacas need regular toenail clipping, while others never or seldom need it. Same with teeth. Some Alpacas need teeth trimming, some don't. What a difference teeth trimming makes. Penelope looks like a million bucks with her teeth trimmed. I've learned you don't walk a herdsire by another herdsire during breeding. I've learned it's O.K. to grab an Alpaca by their fiber to hold them. I've learned it is much easier to halter train boys. I've learned how important it is to truly be in touch with your animals. How important it is to see each animal, each day, and be conscious of unusual behavior. The best part of having these wonderful creatures is sitting out in the fields with them, just hanging out. I could sit and watch them all day.
Each Saturday I spend at All American Alpacas in better than the last. Rick & Pati are so gracious and I appreciate their friendship so much. If it wasn't for them, I sure wouldn't have 7 fabulous Alpacas today. Speaking of 7 Alpacas, I'm keeping my fingers crossed to have 4 more by year end. Princess, Star and Meg Ryan (all bred to Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador) and Vanilla Sundae (bred to Show Me The Money) should all have crias this year. The jury is still out on Meg Ryan. We just can't read her. Princess and Vanilla Sundae are confirmed pregnant, and we have every reason to believe Star is, as well (she is HUGE). The first due date is August 2008 (Star). Princess and Vanilla Sundae are due in December 2008.
Shows in March, shearing in April, shows in May. I can't wait!
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