PacaSitting, Day 1

I headed down to the ranch at around 11:30AM. Normally, it would take me about 35 minutes. Today, we had "weather". Rain, hail, funnel clouds, strong winds, even tornadoes. Bumper to bumper traffic, due to 2 bad accidents, made my trip somewhat longer. I did get there before Pati left for the airport. Pati said there had been hail, rain and high winds there, too. I was a little concerned, driving in on the dirt road, I may not be able to get through. No problem. I have a really muddy HUMMER right now, but no worse for wear. I did play a little slip and slide, but not bad.

By the time I arrived, it wasn't raining and the wind had calmed down. Pati put out cria coats "just in case". She said she believes Summer will deliver on my watch. After Pati left, I spent some time in the north field, trying to identify Summer, Gwen and Toni. I have such a hard time with the whites. I think I know who's who. Maybe not. Well, I do know Summer is the next one due to deliver. Pati said she always delivers at 6:45AM. Ummmm, I don't know if I'll witness the birth at that time. If not, I'll be there very soon after.

I walked through all the fields to make sure everyone was O.K. The newest little girl (Priscilla's cria) has a name now, Gabrielle (Gabby). She was having a blast with Michelle, running all around the field and biting at each other's ankles. Most of the others hung out in the nursery most of the afternoon. I cut some branches from the pepper trees to take to the boys. They all got a treat. So did I. Felix, DJ, Alpha and Luther will eat tree branches from my hand. I was so excited. Patron doesn't seem to care for the leaves. I wonder if they miss their buddies; Sonny, Majik and Tonto? They are in Utah at the Nationals :) Alpha has more spots! Every week, there are more little silver spots on his hips and back. I have no idea what is going on. Crazy.

It started getting pretty cold and windy outside. The Alpacas didn't seem to mind, but I did. So, I hung out in the house with the kitties and watched TV for awhile. Of course, every 15 minutes, I had to check the north field "just in case" someone decided to have a baby in the afternoon. Nope.

At around 5PM, I headed down to the shed for treat time. When I first walked outside, all the Alpacas were cushed around the fields, just "chillin". Once they saw me, they all came running to the fence. Yep, treat time. Main field (1 bucket), middle field (1/2 bucket) and north field (1 bucket). Even though Prissy was in the main field, I sprinkled some treats in her favorite spot in the nursery, just in case she finds her way up there after I leave.

I did a final walk through all the fields, checking gates to make sure they were secure, closed the barn door and locked up the house. I said good-bye to the boys and headed for home.

It rained on and off on the way home. At one point, it was raining so hard my windshield wipers couldn't go fast enough. Then it stopped. As soon as I got home, I turned on the news. I just missed a tornado that touched down at the Ontario Ave. offramp of the 15 freeway, not 10 minutes after I'd been right there. Apparently, it caused several accidents. Whew! I can't get in an accident....I'm Pacasitting!

I'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning to head on down to the ranch. I'm hoping the weather will be better tomorrow. Sounds like we may get some rain, but not as much. I hope it clears up so I can hang out in the fields with my best friends. I love to sit in the fields and watch them. I'd also like to walk Felix, Alpha and DJ. Maybe Patron would like to try on a halter. Oh, speaking of halters....Alpha now has one with his name on it. He and Felix are "stylin".