A Relaxing Day At The Ranch

Yesterday, it was too hot to spit test, breed or even walk the boys. Rick & Pati had some ranch visitors, so I took off to the fields to find the perfect Kodak moment. I don't think I really got any fantastic pictures, but it's fun anyway. Before that, Pati trimmed a California Pepper tree and I took the branches to Boy's Town. All the boys got a special treat. They really like the pepper branches. I took a few branches in to the north field, and Vanilla Sundae came running before I even got through the gate. I've been hand feeding her for a few weeks now, and she is responding so well. She doesn't really let me touch her, yet, but does come up to me for branches. I have no problem bribing an Alpaca in to being my friend.

I want to spend more time with Pati Cake and Norma Rae. They need to be evaluated, to see if they may be show material for AlpacaFest West in November. Although Norma Rae is as big, or bigger, than some of the adults, Rick feels she is still too immature to be bred. She'll be a year old September 1st. The girls need to be halter trained and develop some "social skills". Alpha may go to the show, depending on what color he is in October. Competing in a different color class could make a difference. Yes, he's my first cria, and I am the eternal optimist that he will turn out to be one of the greatest herdesires ever :)

Speaking of herdsires, Rick & Pati tell me Rockstarr is pretty special. They feel he has real potential in the show ring and as a herdsire. Of course, the herdsire part is a few years away. But, he can attend his first show in Phoenix next March :) He is a cutie pie, but again, I'm partial. So, for someone else to feel that way too makes me feel he really is a special little guy.
He and Aurora look like they could be closely related (duh, they have the same dad - Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador, "Fred"). He's just got a little more color on his blanket. She is SO CUTE. Her mom, like Star, is a rose gray (Dusty Rose). Aurora has more black around her eyes than Rockstarr does, which makes her look like a glamour girl with false eyelashes. Her mom, Dusty Rose, has always been a sweetheart. She loves to give kisses, and really gets passionate about what she's doing. While giving you kisses, you can rub her neck. She's a real sweetheart. W E L L, guess who is doing the exact same thing? Yep, Little Miss Aurora will give you K I S S E S, wet, tongue kisses, that feel like butterflies fluttering over your lips. She needs no encouragement, and will continue to kiss you as long as you let her (just like mom). You can rub her neck, too. This little baby is only 2 weeks old. She certainly didn't LEARN to do it. Great genes, Dusty Rose.

So, I took pictures, checked on Kir (she's due any time), kissed Aurora, took more pictures, fed the boys tree leaves, belly hosed the boys, took more pictures, and hung out with Rick and Pati while we count down for our cruise in October. We'll be doing our next PACAribean cruise aboard "Oasis of the Seas", 7 night Eastern Caribbean, October 9, 2010. Due to breeding and/or show obligations, we can only offer this cruise every two years.

I am happy to report Rockstarr's ankles have tightened up and his legs are now straight. He's starting to get a fuzzy face, so I think he's going to have good facial coverage. His fiber is real tightly bundled, like popcorn. His color is gorgeous.

I'm hoping to breed Star to Fred next weekend. I think the following week Rick is leaving for a cross country transport, stopping at an auction in Virginia, and picking up his pride and joy "Lucy". She's been in Virginia for breeding to a very famous herdsire. I'll do what I can to help Pati while Rick is gone. In September is also Alpaca Farm Days. Watch www.allamericanalpacas.com website for updated information. Then, plan to come out and spend some time with the Alpacas. Last year was a great success, so I'm sure this year will be even better.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

A very Happy Birthday to V.I.P.'s (Very Important Pacas and Very Important Person):

ALLAA Oda Mae Brown - 1 year old
ALLAA Perseverance 291 - 2 years old (the miracle cria)
Harrison - 2 years old
Rainbow's Starrgazer - 3 years old

and, drum roll please.....

Uncle Bobby O.! 80 years young!

Wishing you all many, many more....XOXO

Introducing........RAINBOW'S ROCKSTARR!

Yes, yes, yes! Star had her cria! A gorgeous 16.7 pound light rose gray male, with fantastic fiber!
Pati found Star and her cria in the field at 5:30 this morning. Star gave birth sometime in the middle of the night, passed the placenta and obviously did everything well and without any human help.

This morning, I decided to sleep in. Rick had called my cell phone (I didn't hear it), my home phone (I didn't hear it), and my office phone (nope, didn't hear that either). I woke up when the phone rang and he was sending me a fax! As soon as I realized it was him (thank you,caller ID), I called him right back to hear the good news. In no time, I was out the door and on my way to Murrieta. Thanks, Diane, for taking care of the office today (I was gone ALL DAY).

Since he was born in the middle field, Rick and Pati left him and Star there until I arrived. I got to carry him up to the nursery, with Star following right alongside me. She is an incredible mom, and has been talking to her little man all day. He likes to stay pretty close to her, too. Manda Smith, Aria and Prissy volunteered to keep Star and RockStarr company. He'll stay in the nursery a few days because his ankles need to tighten up. He's a little knock kneed, too, which should change when his ankles improve. He is so cute! Yes, I'm partial, B U T, he IS so cute!

Pati was at work when I arrived, and didn't get home until mid afternoon. Rick treated me to a celebration breakfast at MiMi's, after we polished off a bottle of champagne. We continued with more bottles of champagne when Pati got home.

Dr. Thacher came out today and gave mom and cria a thumbs up. She even remarked about the quality of his fiber. I'm anxious to take him to the Phoenix show next Spring.

It's been a long day. I'll write more this weekend. I have to sit back and savor my good fortune now....

Star Update - Day 355 - No baby

I R E A L L Y thought Star would deliver today, because 13 is my lucky number. Nope. O.K., now I'm thinking she's going to cross her legs until the 21st. August 21st is a very important day. Here's the list:

Star - 3rd birthday
Percy - 2nd birthday
Oda Mae (Percy's sister) - 1st birthday
Harrison (no longer on the farm) - 2nd birthday
And, drum roll, please.........our dear, dear friend, Bob Osterheldt

I don't know if I can wait another week :( Like I have a choice????

Star Update - Day 354 - No baby

Star Update - Day 353 - No baby

This Week's Score: Rick & Pati 2, Susan 0

After Carmella, Star was next in line to deliver. Well, I guess no one told Star. Since last weekend, Dusty Rose gave birth to a darling little girl "Aurora", and yesterday Malea also had a cutie pie little girl, yet unnamed. So, Dusty Rose has a girl, Malea has a girl, and what does Star have???? A B I G belly. She is so big and so uncomfortable. Today, she rolled on her side, big belly sticking out, teats showing and just layed there and moaned. Well, more like grunts instead of moans. I could have sworn today would be the day. Not just because today is her actual due date, but because the cria was doing the rumba in her belly and I just knew she was going to pop out. Nope.
My guess is it will be tomorrow, but what do I know. Maidens can be very unpredictable.

I will write more about my day once I get a few things done around the house. It will probably be tomorrow. With any luck, I'll be following up with news on Star's cria. I know, wishful thinking. :(

It's now "tomorrow" morning. I totally forgot to write a blog last weekend. Sorry, again!
When I arrived yesterday, I was very surprised to see a cria in the nursery. Malea had a little girl on Friday. She doesn't have a name yet, as Pati and Rick want it to be a very special name. Her mom, Malea, was an orphan, and her dad, Blade, was an orphan, also. She was born on 8/8/08 (according to the Chinese, the luckiest number), and on the opening day of the Olympics in Beijing. Dr. Thacher came out to examine the new baby and mom. Both are great!

Dusty Rose is a great "first time" mom. Aurora is cute as a button, and tiny. She was born a little early, so smaller than most new crias. Dusty Rose has always been a love bug, and will give you kisses, but now she's over the edge wanting to suck on your face! I love it!

It is so cool to see so many little ones running around in the field, annoying the adults, and each other. I want one! Come on Star....

Felix had a birthday on August 7th. He is 2 years old now. I wanted to take him for a walk yesterday, but it's just been too hot. The last few weeks it's been too warm for walking the boys. I gathered up what is left of the yellow flowered weeds on the property and hand fed him and his buddies. As an extra treat, I cut some branches from the pepper trees and they really enjoyed them. All the boys in that field gather around me now and eat from my hand. How cool is that? I sit on their feeder, with plants in each hand and let them "graze". It gives me a great opportunity to see them up close. I'm especially interested in getting close to Alpha as he changes colors. Yep, more spots, and some silver blending it's way through his blanket. We still don't know what color he will end up. Felix's little buddy, Patron, will be going to a new home soon. A nice couple were at the ranch yesterday and bought Patron and DJ. They'll be living in Redlands. I wonder how Felix will feel without Patron glued to his side?

A girl and her cria arrived yesterday for breeding. Yep, Mo got the job done. They joined the herd yesterday just before Malea and her cria. The herd was so excited to meet Erica and her little boy, Malea and her cria were able to enter the main field without a lot of fanfare.

Pati Cake is a sun worshipper. She likes to lay on the sunny side of the feeder and sleep. She's a deep sleeper. Norma Rae is as tall as an adult, yet won't be a year old until next month. Vanilla Sundae is as sweet as always and now likes to eat tree branches from my hand. Princess' belly is getting pretty big, considering she isn't due until late November. In fact, Rick figured out that there are 8 girls due within a 3 day period in late November (and 2 of them are mine). Odds are there will be another Thanksgiving cria. There has been for the last two years. Meg Ryan is as goofy as ever. She has got a unique personality for an Alpaca.

I belly hosed the boys, then hung out on the patio (in the shade) with Rick. Pati got home mid afternoon, and we sat around talking about our cruise and libating until treat time. I helped with treats, got up close and personal with several of the youngest crias, and even picked up Malea's little girl. After treats, Rick and Pati invited me to join them for dinner at a great little Mexican restaurant. Yum! Thank you for dinner :)

Message to self: When weather permits, trim Vanilla Sundae's toenails and trim Felix's teeth.

I promise to write the moment Star delivers.