A Tribute To ALLAA Vanilla Sundae

This is a hard entry to write. I lost one of my best dams on January 21, 2010.Vanilla Sundae passed away at only 3 1/2 years old. She had a tumor in the left ventricle of her heart.

I'm really going to miss her. She always stood out in the field, as she is beige, but her rear end is brown. The pattern makes it look like she's wearing a thong. She also has a cute little beauty mark by her left eye. Or, it could look like a tear drop. She's a very pretty girl, very easy going, plays well with others, and doesn't seem to bother anyone.


On January 1, 2007, I bought my first female cria, Vanilla Sundae. She was my Christmas present to me. She had been born just 2 weeks after my first visit to All American Alpacas, and one week after I bought my first pregnant females. She was the first "newborn" cria I'd ever seen. Her favorite thing to do was hang out with mom, Carmel Sunday. I swear they were velcroed together. You would always see them cushed in the field, either side by side, or each facing the opposite direction. There was no doubt she was an offspring of Vivace. She had her dad's strong (yet loving) face, and dark eyes that mirror their very souls. Too bad she also got dad's toenails, requiring frequent pedicures.

Vanilla did leave me a part of her. She blessed me with a gorgeous little girl on December 3, 2008, Rainbow's Vanilla Creme Brulee (Sire: Show Me The Money). Creme won her first ribbon at AlpacaFest West in November 2009. She will be attending 3 more shows this Spring and I'm certain she'll be a star. Thank you, Vanilla, for your special gift.

I realize this is a business, and the Alpacas are livestock. But....they aren't just livestock to me. They have eyes that mirror their souls, personalities unique just to them, relationships that can't be explained, and much more. They are amazing creatures that make your life better having them in it. Saying good-bye isn't easy.

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an Alpaca dies that has been especially close to someone here, they go to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can pronk and play together. There is plenty of orchard grass, water, treats and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the Alpacas who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The Alpacas are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all pronk and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, pronking over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy hummm is music to your ears ; your hands again caress the beloved head and neck, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your Alpaca, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...
Rest In Peace, Vanilla....

Happy Post New Year

New Year's Day was great. Pati and Rick always have an Open House, with Pati's famous chili and tons of other yummy food (and libation). Pati must cook for 3 days to get ready. It was a gorgeous day spent with good friends, new friends and, of course, the Alpacas. Most of the main field spent the day in the nursery where we could watch them.

Kir Royale's new baby girl is a cutie pie. Her name is Mimosa. The little boys (Rainmaker and Joe Montana) haven't quite allowed her in to their "club" yet, but have started checking her out. I'm sure it won't be long before all 3 are annoying the adults. Breeeze was looking uncomfortable, but decided not to have a New Year's cria. She's actually due the end of January. Last year, she gave birth to Beyonce, who took the blue ribbon at AlpacaFest West. The judge's comment about her was "she is the complete package". Last year she was bred to Chewbaca. This year, Show Me The Money. Should produce something stellar.

All my girls are doing well. It seems like forever until June, when Pati Cake delivers her first cria. She turned out to be stunning and looks just like her dad, Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador. The only difference is she has silver coming in on her neck. She's bred to Merlin, a big boned, gorgeous, silver gray male, so we'll see what happenes. I have no silver gray Alpacas, so I'm hoping....Then, in July, Norma Rae will have her first cria. I'm really anxious to see that, as well. Norma is a BIG girl. Her ARI certificate reads the the Who's Who of Alpacas. She's bred to Show Me The Money, which is a very impressive addition to the lineage. Starr is due in September, and bred to Merlin, as well. She being rose gray, and him silver gray should produce something fantastic. Watch, she'll have a fawn or brown.
Whatever my girls produce is fine with me, as long as the crias and mom's are healthy.

I am getting a real appreciation of breeding decisions. In the 4 1/2 years I've been going out to the ranch weekly, I've watched the quality of crias continue to improve. It's not just about getting a female pregnant, but pairing her with a herdsire that can improve fiber, conformation, bone size, head shape and color. Sometimes the match is made in Heaven. My greatest breeding, to date, has been Vanilla Sundae and Show Me The Money, giving me Creme Brulee. I have high hopes for her at the 2010 shows.

I will post some new photos soon.

New year, new century, new hopes and dreams. 2010 is going to be a great year, I just know it.