Merry Post Christmas

It's been a wonderful holiday. Rick and Pati Horn from All American Alpacas and I spent Christmas Day at Joe and Susan Attili's farm in Ramona, CA (La Dolce Vita Alpacas). Great food, libations and meeting their wonderful friends and neighbors. It was the first time Pati and I had been to their farm and we were really impressed. In a very short period of time, they have moved all their Alpacas to their farm (from California, New York and Idaho), put up fencing, a barn and lots of extras to make the place look great. They have their Alpacas, 2 goats (lovingly known as the Butt Heads), 2 Great Pyranees doggies, and 8 Guinea Hens. I don't care if Guinea Hens eat rattlers, they are very annoying with their scheeching. They had bred some of their girls to Show Me The Money (owned by Rick and Pati) and the crias are MAGNIFICENT! Obviously, Gwen and Summer have what it takes with "Mo" to create spectacular crias. Thanks, Joe and Susan, for a great day.

Because the holidays are falling on Fridays, I haven't been going to the ranch on Thursdays. So, I spent today, Sunday, at Rick and Pati's. Great day! We got alot fo spit testing and breeding done. Mo, Fred and Merlin had a great day with the girls. Blade, not so much. He got stuck spit testing and didn't get to have fun with anyone. He was not a happy camper. Especially since he shares a field with Fred, who was bragging about the girls he had a date with today.

I was so happy to see Princess be receptive to Mo (Show Me The Money). Sadly, Princess went full term, then had a stillborn that required Dr. Thacher's help to remove the cria. We were thinking of keeping her open until the Spring to let her fully recuperate. But, lately, Rick and Pati said she's been acting like her old self. So, we introduced her to Mo today and she was ready. She usually runs around 3 times, then sits. Today, she went half a turn, and sat.

In the midst of breeding and socializing, Rick said "what's brown and has no penis?". Kir Royale snuck out a cria when we weren't looking. She usually goes a little longer, but this new little girl is fully cooked and absolutely darling! She was up and walking around in no time, and is quite social. You can kiss her and rub her neck, and she'll walk right up to you. She weighed in at 15.8 pounds. We also weighed Rainmaker, who weighed 34 pounds. His fiber is the most incredible I have ever seen. It's tight, tight, tight crimp. Mooney and Mo are a great combination. Of course, the breeding was repeated today.

Meg Ryan bred again today to Merlin. I am beginning to think Meg will never get pregnant. We've been trying for a few years and nothing seems to take. She's been bred to every herdsire on the farm. If she doesn't get pregnant, that's O.K. I bought her because she is Starr's best friend. If nothing else, she's a great companion for Starr and a ongoing source of entertainment on the farm. Pati Cake is confirmed, as is Norma Rae and Starr. Pati Cake is due mid June, Norma Rae mid July and Starr in mid September. If Mo did the job today with Princess, she'll have a December cria. I'm pretty optimistic, as she has always bred once in the past and got pregnant. 2009 was not a good year for me with crias, so I am hopeful 2010 will be a much better year.

Pati and Rick may have a new addition to their family. "Chance" is a sweet big doggie that looks like a cross between a Huskie and maybe a Lab or a German Shephard. They are babysitting for 3 days now, but he may end up living with them.
He is a very good boy. Just need a little training when it comes to the Alpacas and the kitties. I am sure he will end up being a great addition to the farm.

We started the day with Pati making Eggs Benedict (yummy) with Mimosas, and ended up the day with canapes and more champagne. Oh yes, once again, a great day at the farm!!

My next visit will be on New Year's Day for the All American Alpacas Open House, complete with Pati's home made chili. I can't wait.

I realize my photo are old. I promise to post new photos real soon.