5 Days to SHOWTIME!

I didn't go to the ranch last weekend because of the rain. We had a pretty good storm blowing through this area. We expected a beautiful day yesterday. No such luck. It was overcast and really cold. The Alpacas seemed to enjoy it. Sure, they have thick fur coats on.

When I arrived, Rick told me Marquita had been acting up. She is due to have her cria anyday now. I really hoped she would deliver while I was there, but no such luck. We kept an eye on her all day, but nope, no baby. Watch, she'll have it today :(

We'll be heading for Phoenix Friday morning for the Southwest Regional Alpaca Show. I am so excited to show my boy, Alpha, for the first time. Rick will be transporting 11 Alpacas for the show (Alpha, Merlin's Majik, Aerosmith, Flash, Paris Hilton, Zoe, Indy, Bianca, Bella and Swirl) in his super, duper, way cool, huge trailer. Most of the animals belong to Rick & Pati. Diane and I will drive and meet them there. Dr. Thacher was out last week to complete everyone's health certificates for the show. We've been halter training and walking all of them for several weeks, and they are ready. This will be the first time all but Flash have ridden in the trailer.

While walking them yesterday, we weighted most of them. Alpha is 88.1 pounds. I wanted to weigh Pati Cake, but there is no way to catch her and pick her up anymore. Rick was able to catch her and put a halter on her. Oh boy, she didn't like that one bit. She flopped around like a fish out of water. With a lot of coaxing, he was able to walk her to the scale. My little baby girl weighs 64 pounds! The last time she was weighed was 12/23/07 and she was 46.4 pounds. She is 4 1/2 months old and is growing just as she should. When she walked off the scale, she dropped to the ground, put her head on the ground and looked like she was playing dead. Rick took the halter off her and she stayed in that position. I was able to rub her head, feel her very soft fiber, and give her kisses, which was very cool. Rick said that is the "total submission" position. In a few minutes, she was up and running around as if nothing had ever happened. I will cherish the moment I had loving on her because she probably won't let me that close to her again.

A week after the Phoenix show is the International Alpaca Odyssey in Del Mar, CA. We will be showing there, too. I am so excited to see what the judges think of Alpha. Of course, I think he's the greatest junior herdsire that's ever been born. I hope to be posting photos of Alpha with ribbons in the next few weeks. I promise a full report on the shows.

Star is as big as a house (due date is August); Meg Ryan is silly as ever (and we still aren't sure if she's pregnant); Vanilla Sundae remains mellow although pregnant, which is great (just like mom, Carmel Sunday); Princess is a great mom and confirmed pregnant again with Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador. He is also Alpha and Pati Cake's dad. Princess and "Fred" do so well together, why change? Alpha (male, medium brown); Pati Cake (female, true black)....what will they produce this year?????? We won't know until late November/early December. Vanilla Sundae and Princess will deliver around the same time.

Felix wasn't in a very good mood today. I think he gets jealous when other boys get attention before him. Today, we walked Alpha and Majik first; then Felix and Aerosmith. That must have upset him. He attempted to spit at me a few times and wasn't real cooperative on the halter. I'll have to be conscious of that, spend time with him first, and see if it makes a difference.

I helped with treats, then headed home a little earlier than usual. It was so cold! Princess, Meg and Peach ate treats from my hand. I love giving treats. You become their absolute best friend for a few minutes. What could be better than being totally surrounded by Alpacas?

Next post will be show results.....