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!