June 14, 2008 - Saturday
Nala has been poochy and "bagged up" for a long, long time. I've thought she would deliver anytime for several weeks. This morning, Rick & Pati told me she had been "orbiting" (walking in circles), not chewing her cud, and laying sideways. They figured today would be the day. That was at around 8:30AM.
Throughout the morning, one of us would check to see how Nala was doing. Around 11:30ish, if I remember correctly, she started dilating. Rick had checked on her just before Pati left for work.
Picture this: Rick and I are sitting on the patio
Pati is in the garage, backing out her Jeep, and talking on the phone to a client
Pati started honking her horn to get our attention
She can't interrupt the business call that she has on the speakerphone in the car
As we look at her, she looks like she's playing a pantomine game
Pati is surrounding her head with her open hands - we later realize she is saying
Nala's cria's head is out
Pati, then, starts cupping her arms and rocking them, like holding a baby
She's trying to tell us the baby is on the ground
THAT FAST....head out and poof, cria on the ground! We missed the whole thing.
Literally, within minutes, from the time Rick looked at her, until Pati started honking at us...minutes. Talk about an uneventful birth. Little Tiffany was up and about in no time. Nala passed her placenta with no problem. After leaving mom and baby alone for awhile, Rick carried "Tiffany" up to the nursery, with mom, Nala, following close behind. Tiffany's color is fading fawn, and gorgeous! The best part....she is a very healthy cria. That was very important to know, as last year Nala's cria had a fatal heart murmur. Thank God, Tiffany is healthy, with a strong, normal heart. Her dad is Show Me The Money :)
I am so sorry I forgot to include this story in my update. Oh well, it is better standing alone anyway :)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
A Very Eventful Month!
I know, I'm bad. I haven't written since June 1st, but have a very good excuse. I have spent the last few weeks putting the finishing touches on a cruise group of 40 high school seniors, along with 19 adults. Yes, I was one of the adults that escorted this great group of Centennial High School Class of 2008 seniors to Catalina, Ensenada and San Diego from June 16 to 20. Alot of last minute preparation, then I was on the cruise all last week. We had a great time.
Let's see, since the last time I wrote, Summer had a little girl (Vanessa), Nala had a little girl (Tiffany), Gwen had a little boy (???) and Cantana had a little girl (Brandi). Wow, June is cria month! Toni is due anytime, as is Carmella. In a week or so, we'll be on baby watch for Star! Her actual due date is August 10, but she could deliver in July. I can't wait to see Star's cria.
Sadly, Dewdrop lost her battle with cancer on June 9th. She was one of Rick and Pati's favorites and I know she will be missed tremendously. She did leave two beautiful girls to carry on; Percy and Oda Mae Brown. They will both be bred this year to continue Dewdrop's legacy. Rest in Peace, Dewdrop. Wait for us at Rainbow Bridge...we'll meet you there someday.
It has been very hot at the ranch for the last few weeks. So hot, about the only thing to do is belly hose, and belly hose, and belly hose. The girls' fields have sprinklers and they know exactly what time they are going on. They are so funny. Most of them will back into the sprinkler, so they don't get spit on by someone else. I enjoy belly hosing all of them, but especially the boys. Most of them love it.
I love hanging out with the little boys. There are lots of weeds with yellow flowers that they love to eat. I pick a big bunch, go in their field, and sit on the feeder. Most of them will come up and eat from my hands. It is so cool! And, it really gives me a chance to get up close and personal with them. Sometimes, even touch them :) Last Saturday, Alpha really shocked me. He was eating from my hand, which gave me a chance to get real close to his neck. I've talked about him acquiring silver spots for some time now. So far, the spots are on his hips, shoulders and back. His neck! Today I really saw his neck. Oh my! Every other follicle is silver. He looks like a light rose gray on his neck! Not all of his neck, right now just the throat side. I can't wait to see what happens in the next few months. That would be unbelievable if he ended up a rose gray. Wow, that would be more than unbelievable. When I bought Star, she was considered light brown. A few months later, she turned light rose gray! Color is an important consideration in determing value, along with other factors. Star is a solid rose gray. From what I've read, that makes her somewhat rare. Most rose grays are spotted or patterned with a blend of colors. If Alpha does change colors, I think he would be the spotted or patterned kind. Fine with me :)
Vanilla Sundae has a birthday this Saturday, June 28th. She'll be 2 years old. She looks more and more like her dad, Vivace, all the time. She has his intense eyes, mustache and powerful jaw. She's bred to Show Me the Money for a late November, early December cria. Her mom, Carmel Sunday, was bred the same day to "Mo", as well. Princess is getting a belly on her, even though she's not due until early December. Meg, oh Meg. We still aren't sure if she's pregnant. I guess we'll know in September, as that is when she would be due. Norma Rae will be a year old on September 1, and I think she'll be getting a "date" for her birthday. She is a very big girl for her age. Pati Cake, I don't know yet. She may be going to some Fall shows. We're waiting to see how her fiber looks when it starts growing out.
Although it was a very hot day, I still enjoyed every moment I spent with the Alpacas. Oops, I really enjoyed Rick and Pati, too (sorry, guys, if you were upstaged by the Alpacas. I know you understand, and relate).
Let's see, since the last time I wrote, Summer had a little girl (Vanessa), Nala had a little girl (Tiffany), Gwen had a little boy (???) and Cantana had a little girl (Brandi). Wow, June is cria month! Toni is due anytime, as is Carmella. In a week or so, we'll be on baby watch for Star! Her actual due date is August 10, but she could deliver in July. I can't wait to see Star's cria.
Sadly, Dewdrop lost her battle with cancer on June 9th. She was one of Rick and Pati's favorites and I know she will be missed tremendously. She did leave two beautiful girls to carry on; Percy and Oda Mae Brown. They will both be bred this year to continue Dewdrop's legacy. Rest in Peace, Dewdrop. Wait for us at Rainbow Bridge...we'll meet you there someday.
It has been very hot at the ranch for the last few weeks. So hot, about the only thing to do is belly hose, and belly hose, and belly hose. The girls' fields have sprinklers and they know exactly what time they are going on. They are so funny. Most of them will back into the sprinkler, so they don't get spit on by someone else. I enjoy belly hosing all of them, but especially the boys. Most of them love it.
I love hanging out with the little boys. There are lots of weeds with yellow flowers that they love to eat. I pick a big bunch, go in their field, and sit on the feeder. Most of them will come up and eat from my hands. It is so cool! And, it really gives me a chance to get up close and personal with them. Sometimes, even touch them :) Last Saturday, Alpha really shocked me. He was eating from my hand, which gave me a chance to get real close to his neck. I've talked about him acquiring silver spots for some time now. So far, the spots are on his hips, shoulders and back. His neck! Today I really saw his neck. Oh my! Every other follicle is silver. He looks like a light rose gray on his neck! Not all of his neck, right now just the throat side. I can't wait to see what happens in the next few months. That would be unbelievable if he ended up a rose gray. Wow, that would be more than unbelievable. When I bought Star, she was considered light brown. A few months later, she turned light rose gray! Color is an important consideration in determing value, along with other factors. Star is a solid rose gray. From what I've read, that makes her somewhat rare. Most rose grays are spotted or patterned with a blend of colors. If Alpha does change colors, I think he would be the spotted or patterned kind. Fine with me :)
Vanilla Sundae has a birthday this Saturday, June 28th. She'll be 2 years old. She looks more and more like her dad, Vivace, all the time. She has his intense eyes, mustache and powerful jaw. She's bred to Show Me the Money for a late November, early December cria. Her mom, Carmel Sunday, was bred the same day to "Mo", as well. Princess is getting a belly on her, even though she's not due until early December. Meg, oh Meg. We still aren't sure if she's pregnant. I guess we'll know in September, as that is when she would be due. Norma Rae will be a year old on September 1, and I think she'll be getting a "date" for her birthday. She is a very big girl for her age. Pati Cake, I don't know yet. She may be going to some Fall shows. We're waiting to see how her fiber looks when it starts growing out.
Although it was a very hot day, I still enjoyed every moment I spent with the Alpacas. Oops, I really enjoyed Rick and Pati, too (sorry, guys, if you were upstaged by the Alpacas. I know you understand, and relate).
Sunday, June 1, 2008
No Babies!
I arrived around 9AM, hoping to see a new baby in the nursery. Nope. Summer is being very uncooperative :(
It was great to see Pati and Rick and hear all about the Nationals. They said the weather in Utah was similar to the crummy weather we had here last weekend. Today was beautiful. Sunny, but not too hot, with a nice breeze. It was pretty much a relaxing day. We didn't do any breeding or spit testing. Sumatra got her teeth trimmed and was a good girl during the whole process. She didn't want to go in the chute, so she cushed right outside of it. It's not easy to get a full grown Alpaca to stand up, especially when they've been shorn and there is no fiber to hold on to. So, she got her teeth trimmed while cushed. She looks beautiful now, and is ready to go to her new home. We also microchipped her daughter, Mora, as she and Oda Mae look so much alike. With them in the same field, it's real hard to tell them apart.
Rick has a cross country transport, leaving Tuesday, from California to New York. He is picking up a herd in New York, and has some pick ups and drop offs on the way. I don't envy him, especially when he stops for gas! At $5 a gallon for diesel, it will be an expensive trip.
My little girl, Pati Cake, was weaned from mom, Princess, last week. Princess had no problem with it. Pati Cake was moved from the main field to the center field with the other maidens. She is spending alot of time walking the fence and looking for mom. I'm sure in a few days she'll get over it. It's sad to watch, but she's 7 months old and time for her to be a big girl.
Patron has really latched on to Felix. He follows Felix everywhere. He's the littlest guy in the little boys field and must think he needs a big brother. Felix is a great companion. I wanted to walk Felix last weekend, but didn't want to take him out without Patron. Patron has never been on a halter, so I didn't want to try to do it alone. So, today, Rick and I took Felix and Patron for a walk. Patron did great for his first time. After the walk, they spent some time in the show pen with treats. I've posted a photo of them. Patron looks so tiny next to Felix! We weighed them while they were out: Felix 121.1 pounds, Patron 67.3 pounds. We, then, took Alpha and DJ for a walk. Every week, it appears Alpha has more little silver spots. He's starting to look moldy! I have no idea what is going to happen with his coloring. Time will tell. They got weighed, too: Alpha 109.9 pounds, DJ 83.4 pounds. Alpha is really starting to grow. He's gained 2.9 pounds in a little over 2 weeks.
Pati returned from shopping and I headed for Boy's Town to hang out with the little boys. I picked a bunch of yellow flowers for them. The highlight of my day is all the little boys eating out of my hand. The big boys prefer I put theirs on the ground. When I got back up to the patio, Rick and Pati were sitting there. There was a framed certificate and a card on the table by my seat. The certificate says "All American Alpacas, Certificate of Appreciation, & A Free Breeding is hereby granted to Susan Derrow, for outstanding performance in keeping the alpacas safe". WOW! I offered to Pacasit because I love them and enjoy doing it. I never expected anything in return. Rick & Pati are so good to me, and take such good care of my animals, that I am happy whenever I can do something to help them. WOW! Anyone that has Alpacas knows what a valuable gift this is. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU, Rick & Pati! And, another big thank you to Rose, the Llama, who wrote a card to me from the herd, "Dear Aunt Susan, the entire herd wanted to learn to write so they could sign this card, but I told them no, I, Rose, would do it for them. Thank you, Aunt Susan, we like it when you take care of us". How cute, huh?
What a great day at the ranch....even if there were no babies.
It was great to see Pati and Rick and hear all about the Nationals. They said the weather in Utah was similar to the crummy weather we had here last weekend. Today was beautiful. Sunny, but not too hot, with a nice breeze. It was pretty much a relaxing day. We didn't do any breeding or spit testing. Sumatra got her teeth trimmed and was a good girl during the whole process. She didn't want to go in the chute, so she cushed right outside of it. It's not easy to get a full grown Alpaca to stand up, especially when they've been shorn and there is no fiber to hold on to. So, she got her teeth trimmed while cushed. She looks beautiful now, and is ready to go to her new home. We also microchipped her daughter, Mora, as she and Oda Mae look so much alike. With them in the same field, it's real hard to tell them apart.
Rick has a cross country transport, leaving Tuesday, from California to New York. He is picking up a herd in New York, and has some pick ups and drop offs on the way. I don't envy him, especially when he stops for gas! At $5 a gallon for diesel, it will be an expensive trip.
My little girl, Pati Cake, was weaned from mom, Princess, last week. Princess had no problem with it. Pati Cake was moved from the main field to the center field with the other maidens. She is spending alot of time walking the fence and looking for mom. I'm sure in a few days she'll get over it. It's sad to watch, but she's 7 months old and time for her to be a big girl.
Patron has really latched on to Felix. He follows Felix everywhere. He's the littlest guy in the little boys field and must think he needs a big brother. Felix is a great companion. I wanted to walk Felix last weekend, but didn't want to take him out without Patron. Patron has never been on a halter, so I didn't want to try to do it alone. So, today, Rick and I took Felix and Patron for a walk. Patron did great for his first time. After the walk, they spent some time in the show pen with treats. I've posted a photo of them. Patron looks so tiny next to Felix! We weighed them while they were out: Felix 121.1 pounds, Patron 67.3 pounds. We, then, took Alpha and DJ for a walk. Every week, it appears Alpha has more little silver spots. He's starting to look moldy! I have no idea what is going to happen with his coloring. Time will tell. They got weighed, too: Alpha 109.9 pounds, DJ 83.4 pounds. Alpha is really starting to grow. He's gained 2.9 pounds in a little over 2 weeks.
Pati returned from shopping and I headed for Boy's Town to hang out with the little boys. I picked a bunch of yellow flowers for them. The highlight of my day is all the little boys eating out of my hand. The big boys prefer I put theirs on the ground. When I got back up to the patio, Rick and Pati were sitting there. There was a framed certificate and a card on the table by my seat. The certificate says "All American Alpacas, Certificate of Appreciation, & A Free Breeding is hereby granted to Susan Derrow, for outstanding performance in keeping the alpacas safe". WOW! I offered to Pacasit because I love them and enjoy doing it. I never expected anything in return. Rick & Pati are so good to me, and take such good care of my animals, that I am happy whenever I can do something to help them. WOW! Anyone that has Alpacas knows what a valuable gift this is. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU, Rick & Pati! And, another big thank you to Rose, the Llama, who wrote a card to me from the herd, "Dear Aunt Susan, the entire herd wanted to learn to write so they could sign this card, but I told them no, I, Rose, would do it for them. Thank you, Aunt Susan, we like it when you take care of us". How cute, huh?
What a great day at the ranch....even if there were no babies.
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