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.

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.

Starting Again In Two Thousand Ten

It has been such a long time since I've posted a blog on this site. I was so disillusioned when I realized my posts were not only being read, but printed and used against me, by the Board of Equalization. I really miss documenting my adventures, and have decided to start again in 2010.

I am ending 2009 with 7 females; Princess, Vanilla Sundae, Starr, Meg Ryan, Norma Rae, Pati Cake and Creme Brulee. No crias this year. Yet, I'm expecting new arrivals from Pati Cake in June, Norma Rae in July, and Starr in September, 2010.
Creme Brulee entered her first show, AlpacaFest West, in November 2009 and won 4th place out of a class of 7. I was so proud of her, and feel she did very well for her first show. This was the first time I've competed against Rick (All American Alpacas) in the same class. His girl, Winter Rayne, took 1st! She certainly deserved it, as she is magnificent. I expect to show Creme Brulee in 3 or 4 shows in 2010.

Felix, Alpha and Rasta now live in Sage, CA and will be part of a petting farm for special needs children. Rockstarr now lives in Aguanga, CA, with some new best friends, including a sheep that thinks it's an Alpaca. From what I hear, the sheep loves Rockstarr and he is quite a hit in the neighborhood.

I'll be spending Christmas Eve with my sister and her family, and Christmas Day with Rick & Pati Horn of All American Alpacas at a holiday celebration at Joe & Susan Attili's farm (La Dolce Vita Alpacas in Ramona, CA). New Year's tradition (for the past 4 years for me) is a great day at All American Alpacas, complete with Pati's famous chili and lots of libation. My daughters are going to Washington to spend the holidays with my Washington daughters, son in law and grandchildren. I have too much work to do, so I opted to stay home.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and may 2010 be a great year for us all.

Read My Book

In spite of many exciting and interesting things going on at the ranch, I've been very, very busy the last several months. I'm in the middle of several huge projects, yet there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I was feeling very bad that I hadn't written in so long. Then, yesterday I found out that all my experiences and information on the Alpacas, that I've posted on this blogsite for over 2 years, is being read by our U.S. Government. Apparently, Alpaca owners are the latest target regarding tax issues.

So, since the power of free speech could be used against me. Since the joy I share with you about my adventures at the ranch could be used against me. Since sharing information about my Alpacas, babies, shows, etc., can be used against me. I guess it's time to button up this venture. No, not the Alpacas! My Alpacas and I will be around for a long time to come. What I'm buttoning up is the blogsite. Maybe I'll write a book. That would be cool.

As far as blogs, I'd think twice about enjoying the "freedom" of expressing yourself online.

Please enjoy the blogs and photos I posted with such joy and enthusiasm, since June 2006.

The End

Where Do I Start???

I know, it's been a little over a month since I've written. My excuse is (1) getting ready for the First Bi-Annual PACAribbean cruise, October 18-26; (2) coming home and preparing for Rocky's surgery October 29; (3) helping Rick & Pati save a new cria; (4)taking care of Rocky after the surgery and (5) wearing my travel agent hat in between.

First...PACAribbean cruise. There were 49 people in our group and we had a fantastic time. Everyone enjoyed each other's company and we all loved the "Mariner of the Seas". We were lucky to cruise in between Hurricane Oscar and Hurricane Paloma. We visited Jamaica (oh boy, did we enjoy Jamaica!), Grand Cayman (where we snorkeled with the Sting Rays), Cozumel (souvenir shopping and beer - some in our group swam with the dolphins), and Labadee (Royal Caribbean's private island - beach bbq, zip lining, and just "hangin' out" at the beach). Overall, the weather was great. It rained in the morning in Grand Cayman, but cleared up by the time we got to Sting Ray City. It was Rick & Pati's first cruise, but certainly not their last. We are all booked again for the Second Bi-Annual PACAribbean cruise aboard the "Oasis of the Seas", October 9-1, 2010. And....Rick & Pati have booked another cruise to Mexico on "Radiance of the Seas", sailing October 24, 2009. Yep, I think they have been bitten by the cruise bug :) We have tons of pictures to memorialize our first cruise together. It was so much fun to meet and share experiences with Alpaca breeders from New York, Missouri and Florida.

Although I always go to the ranch on Saturdays, I wasn't going to be able to go on November 1 because I needed to stay home and take care of Rocky. So, I went down on Wednesday, October 29, the day he was in surgery. My intention was to work on halter training Norma Rae and Pati Cake for AlpacaFest West November 15-16. Well.....it didn't quite work out that way. Pati had some errands to run, so Rick and I started mucking the fields. I took the nursery and boy's town and he took the big fields. As I was dumping the first load, Rick called on my cell phone and asked if I wanted to see a birth! He said Whitney was in the center field, with a "bubble" at her rear end. I raced over to the center field and saw Whitney by the feeder. The cria was already on the ground! I yelled to Rick that the cria was already on the ground, but not moving hardly at all. Rick showed me how to stimulate the cria by rubbing the back and moving the legs. She had no temperature, so we moved her into the sun. While Rick prepared the nursery and got his cria kit, I kept working with her legs and rubbing her back. Rick carried her up to the nursery, with Whitney following right behind. Still no temperature. Rick got the hair dryer and we started trying to warm her up with that. Still no temperature. Rick got a big bucket of warm water and placed her in the bucket. Now, a slight temperature. After her second dunk in the warm water, her temperature started registering. She was still pretty listless, but going in the right direction. Her temperature continued to climb until it was "cria normal". Just as the cria was coming around, Pati came home. The cria was too weak to stand, so nursing was not an option. Pati started milking Whitney, which wasn't easy because the first fluid is colostrum, which the cria needs. It's thick and sticky. Whitney stood there and let Pati milk her. Then, into a bottle it went, and the cria sucked it dry. YES! By the time I left, the cria still wasn't standing. Pati had to milk Whitney for a couple days and the cria was bottle fed. Rick was on call throughout the night to give her the bottle. Oh, did I forget to mention it is a GIRL? Sorry. They named her Jamaica :) After, I think, 2 days of bottle feeding, she was strong enough to stand up and nurse. Oh yes, life is good! That lifeless little girl is now in the main field with mom, lots of aunts and other crias to play with. I saw her yesterday for the first time since her birth and it brought tears to my eyes to see how well she is doing. It's amazing. Rick said from birth to feeling she would survive was all of 22 minutes. It felt like a lifetime. I've posted photos of the day she was born, and yesterday. What a difference!

Yesterday was a good day at the ranch. We haltered Norma Rae and Paris Hilton to prepare them for the show. Paris is an expert on the halter and used to shows. Norma Rae did pretty well, but could use a little more work. Then, Cher, Pati Cake and Gabby. These 3 are more of a challenge. I'll be going out today to work with them for awhile. When Rick gets them to the show grounds on Friday, we'll have another chance to work with them before they walk (or get carried) into the ring on Saturday and Sunday. Pati is also hosting a spinning class this afternoon. I'm real excited about learning to how spin.

While we are at the show next weekend, Pati is on "baby watch" for 8, and 2 of them are mine. I'm sure Princess will deliver next weekend while I'm at the show. Since Vanilla Sundae is a maiden, it's hard to say when she will deliver. All 8 girls are due by the end of November. From the looks of Aria yesterday, Rick thinks she will deliver today. I'll know this afternoon when I get there.

I spent some time in the field with Felix, Alpha, Majik and Luther and gave them tree branches. Alpha's 2nd birthday was election day and I felt really bad that I had forgotten :( Felix, Alpha and Majik got a nice walk, and treats in the show pen. With all the walking, we got a chance to weigh everyone. Here are currents weights, and ages, for my "kids":
Alpha 120 pounds (2 years)
Felix 126.3 pounds (2 years, 3 months)
Pati Cake 88.9 pounds (1 year, 2 weeks)
Norma Rae 128.7 pounds (1 year, 2 months) Yep, she's a stallion!

Sorry, it won't be easy weighing Rockstarr because he's not very people social. He sure is growing, loves to hang out with mom, Starr, and Rick and Pati say his fiber is super. I have high hopes for him. Starr and Fred did real good together, which is why we repeated the breeding.

I went out in the fields to take pictures with my new camera that was a gift from Rick, Pati and Jamaica. My camera started acting up on the cruise and I had said I was going to ask Santa for a new one. I was very surprised to get a present yesterday with 2 very special cards. One from Jamaica thanking me for helping with her survival, and one from Rick & Pati thanking me for their first cruise (and vacation together in 12 years). I love my new camera and promise to use it often in the fields :) It is so much nicer than my old one. Another big thank you to Rick, Pati and Jamaica.

We finished up the day with champagne, salami, yummy brie fondue, bread and crackers.
It was a celebration of Jamaica and the election.

I guess that's about all for now. I promise to write more often...I promise!

I LOVE Alpacas that spit!

After spending Saturday and Sunday last weekend helping with Farm Days, I was really too tired to write. The open house was great with visitors interested in Alpacas, as well as Alpaca products. The local ladies Stitch & Bitch Club (is that a great name, or what?) had their meeting at the ranch and bought lots of yarn and knitting supplies. Imagine, buying alpaca yarn and seeing the Alpaca it came from, all in one day :) Rock It Taco provided the yummy tacos and burritos.

WELL....yesterday was a perfect Fall day, cool, breezy and overcast. Also a perfect day for breeding and spit testing. Normally, Alpacas just spit at each other, but they also spit at their beau to confirm they are pregnant and to leave them alone :) Real high tech, called a Spit Test. Two weeks after you breed a female, you introduce her, once again, to the male. If she spits at him, ande runs around the pen (some even growl), she's saying "no way, Jose", which means she is pregnant.

I love Alpacas that spit! Especially when it's Star and Meg Ryan! Yep, both of them made it very clear to Conquistador (Fred) that he did the job the first time. After a very frustrating year with Meg Ryan (is she pregnant, isn't she pregnant....no clear indication, final answer, NO), she has finally begun acting like an Alpaca. Go Girl! Star and Meg should deliver within a week or so or each other next September. Best buddies are pregnant together by the same sire :) Yeah!

Mo (Show Me The Money) was the winner in the date department, with two females. Conquistador (Fred) spent the day being spit at. But, I know today he had a date with Sambuca, so hopefully he's feeling better. Storm also had a date yesterday and today. Yesterday was to Carmela, and I'm not sure who Rick bred him to today (Kalea?).

We spent most of the day breeding and spit testing, then halter training. Cher is doing pretty well and should have it mastered before AlpacaFest West in November. Paris Hilton is a pro. Norma Rae is slowly coming around. Pati Cake....oh Pati Cake the weenie. The minute the lead goes on the halter, she hits the ground and plays dead. If you try to pick her up to stand, she tucks her legs under her so you end up with a big black ball of Alpaca with no legs. Rick, Pati and I all tried to work with her. I think she may have stood up once or twice. She needs alot of work, and we don't have a whole lot of time. We leave for our cruise on October 18 and return the 26th. AlpacaFest West is November 15 and 16. Hopefully, she'll get the hang of it soon. I sure don't want to carry her in to the show ring. :(

I didn't spend any time with the boys today (Felix, Alpha, Majik and Luther), so they'll probably be mad at me next weekend. I spent a little time in the fields with the girls and crias, trying to get a Macy Grey kiss. She finally kissed me and let me rub all over her. She is priceless! Aurora is still friendly, but seems to be a little more standoffish as she grows older.

Rick & Pati popped a bottle of champagne, with cheese, salami and crackers, and we sat in the Sun Room and watched the crias play. They love cool weather. It is so much fun to watch them chase each other, and try to assemble and organize for a field to field pronk. In the summertime, it's usually too warm for me to see them play. They wait until the sun goes down. So, this was a real treat for me.

Alpha will not be going to AlpacaFest West, as there are no other boys going. It's all girls we're showing off this year. Cher, Paris Hilton, Gabrielle, Pati Cake and Norma Rae. I was worried that Pati Cake and Norma Rae would be competing against each other, but they won't. We thought Norma Rae was Bay Black, which would put her in the same category as True Black Pati Cake. Rick color checked her and Norma is clearly Dark Brown. I am so glad.

Rockstarr is getting big, still has very crimpy fiber and is getting to be a fuzzy face. It's funny, the fiber is growing in around his eyes, so he looks like he's wearing goggles. He and Aurora still look like twins. They are so cute together.

We're expecting a gaggle of crias around Thanksgiving (8 to be exact). Two are my girls, Princess and Vanilla Sundae. I am so anxious to see what Princess blesses me with this year (she is Alpha and Pati Cake's mom). Vanilla is a maiden, and bred to Show Me The Money. Her cria will have a ARI Registration that reads like "Who's Who". Famous names on both sides of the family.

Two weeks from right this very minute, Rick, Pati, Shelby and I will be sailing from Port Canaveral to the Western Caribbean aboard Royal Caribbean's "Mariner of the Seas". We will be meeting the owners and friends of Shady Creek Ranch (Missouri) and Gemstone Alpacas (New York), as well as the Alberts from Panama City, FL. There are a total of 49 of us in the group, which includes the wonderful people from The Groves Travel Club in Irvine, CA and our dear friends Robert & Sherry Porterfield and their family. It's going to be great!

Pati and I finished up the day with treats. When you walk in the field with the blue bucket, you are their best friend!

Yes, another great day at the ranch.

Meg Doesn't Deliver, She Sits

Once again, I apologize for not writing after last Saturday's visit. When I went out to the ranch on Saturday, September 13th, Rick had just returned from his cross country transport. He brought Lucy back from Virginia, where she had a date with Invinceable. While in Virgina, he attended an auction and bought a new female. She's really pretty and is glued to Lucy. Her name is Bellona. Every time I say her name, the Oscar Meyer song runs through my head. :(

Rick told us all about his trip and details of the auction in Virginia. It was rather warm, so we didn't do too much with the Alpacas except belly hose in the afternoon. Early in the day, Rick assessed which young girls would be "show material". Pati Cake, Norma Rae and Cher were selected and gathered up for halter training. That was an experience. Cher was the best of the 3 and she wasn't very good. We've got lots of work to do. While we played Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Pati did a practice set up of her booth for the Farmer's Market. She's going to have a booth on Wednesday and Sunday, selling Alpaca yarn, garments, stuffed animals, and various other knit and felted items. It looks really nice.

We watched an auction in Pennsylvania on the internet, while sipping on Rick's Famous Butt Kickin Margaritas, and eating chips and guacamole & salsa. Dang, Rick! I helped with treats before I left. Today, we are still wondering if Meg is pregnant.


Now, Saturday, September 20th. Gorgeous, gorgeous day. Sunny yet cool with a wonderful breeze. Great day for spit testing, breeding and halter training. First up for breeding.....Meg!
Clearly, she is not pregnant, so today she had a date with Fred. She only bred once last year, with Fred, and had to be calmed down with a pacavalium in order to sit. It was a good breeding, but obviously, didn't take. Today, she acted like an Alpaca. She ran around a few times, but then sat. She was very cooperative and kept turning around and giving Fred a loving look, while nibbling on his halter. That was Fred's only victory today. All the other girls spit at him. Mo had date with Erica, and got his share of spitting with others, as well.

Pati went shopping to get ready for our upcoming cruise. While she was gone, Rick and I attempted halter training Pati Cake and Norma Rae. The halter part wasn't too bad. The lead part....a different story. Pati Cake cushes and will not get up. If you try to lift her up, she keeps her legs folded close to her body. If you poke her sides, she squeeks. She has a long way to go before AlpacaFest West in November. Norma Rae didn't look like the exorcist Alpaca today. I never saw the whites of her eyes as I had the week before. She flopped around quite a bit, then would stand still with her head down. I cradled her head, raised it up and rubbed her top knot and she seemed to calm down. She took a few steps, but not many. These girls are going to be a real challenge.

Little Miss Aurora now has competition for your heart. Aurora loves to give kisses and lets you rub her all over. She is so sweet. Now, Macy Grey is doing the same thing! She runs up and gives you little kisses and hums. She is too darn cute! She's a dark silver gray with a white face and very dark eyeliner around her eyes. I'll get a good picture and post it next weekend. What fun to go out in the main field and be greeted by these two special little girls. Heaven.

Next weekend is Farm Days. The ranch will be open to the public from 10AM to 4PM, Saturday and Sunday. I'll be out there helping both days. Diane is going to help, too. I'm not sure whether she'll be going both Saturday and Sunday. It should be fun. Last year was great. Lots of people came out to see the Alpacas. I love telling people about them. I certainly don't know anywhere near what Pati and Rick know, but I know more than most visitors. :)

Princess and Vanilla have pretty big bellies. They are both due the end of November. Rockstarr is getting big and his fiber is wonderful. Very crimpy! In the morning, I had let the boys out in the playground for awhile. Then, in the afternoon, I took Felix and Alpha for a walk. Felix was being a real brat today. I really believe he gets jealous when he sees me getting the boys for breeding before he gets to come out. Or, maybe I just want to think that's the reason. I got a few air spits from him, but that's O.K.

It was a great day at the ranch....

Happy 4th Birthday, Meg Ryan (but Star got the present)

Yes, Meg Ryan is 4 years young today. I was happy to spend her birthday at the ranch. I got there about 8AM so we could try to breed Star before it got too warm. We tried last Monday, but she wanted no part of Fred (Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador). Today, she thought he looked pretty darn good! She didn't run around and act crazy like she has in the past. She took a few minutes, but before long, cushed and made herself comfortable. Little Rockstarr wasn't quite sure what was going on. I can't believe today is the first day I've forgotten to bring my camera! Pati got some "family" photos of Fred, Star and Rockstarr. Thanks, Pati! After what they produced together this year (Rockstarr), I sure want to see if they can do it again.

Rick is in Virginia, halfway through a cross country transport. Today, he attended the Breeder's Edge Auction at Double "O" Good Alpacas in Gainesville, Virginia. Pati and I watched the auction on the internet, with Pati texting Rick every once in awhile if she saw something she liked.
I left about halfway through as I had things to do at home. Pati called me on my way home to tell me they bought a really pretty girl at the auction. Wow, I'm gone 30 minutes and they're buying Alpacas :) Rick will be bringing her back on the transport, so I'll get to see her next weekend. Congratulations, Rick & Pati!!!

It was really pretty warm at the ranch today with not much of a breeze. I spent some time in the field with the girls and crias. They are so cute to watch. Aurora walked up to me and let me rub her neck and back. She is so soft and so sweet. Before long, she was chewing on my clothes. Then, I bent down and got the best Alpaca cria kisses you can ever imagine. She started to follow me up the hill, but decided to go back and hang out with mom, Dusty Rose. Rockstarr, her half brother, on the other hand, isn't much of a people person. He likes to hang out with mom, Starr. On a hot day, there isn't anything much better than cushed next to mom, beside the feeder, in the shade, taking it easy.

I took some Pepper tree branches to the boys, which they gobbled up. It was too warm in the sun to walk them today, so instead they all got belly hosed. They really like that.

Pati and I ate chips and guacamole (Pati's homemade, yum) and drank ice cold Corona's, while watching the auction. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday.

Happy Birthday, Norma Rae

Norma Rae is one year old today. She's a big girl for her age, but Rick says even though she's big, she's not mature enough to breed yet. I spent some time in the field with her today. She's not real social. In the next few weeks, we're going to bring her and Pati Cake up to the show pen to see if their fiber is good enough to go to shows. If so, they'll need to be halter trained for AlpacaFest West in November. Rockstarr won't see his first show until March 2009 in Phoenix.

Wow, I've spent every other day at the ranch for the last few days. Thursday, Diane, Shelby and I went down and we had a nice lunch with Rick & Pati. Diane hadn't seen the Alpacas since shearing. There are many new crias since she was there. She, especially, wanted to see Aurora and get kisses. Aurora and her mom, Dusty Rose, did not disappoint her. I went down Saturday, as usual. It was very hot and humid (heat index around 130 degrees), so we really couldn't do anything with the Alpacas except keep them cool. The heat index is the total of the temperature and humidity percentage. 130 is really high for Alpacas. As Rick left on a cross country transport yesterday morning, Pati asked if I wanted to come down today and help with breeding and spit testing. Sure! It was really cool and overcast this morning, perfect for breeding.

Today was Star's day for her date with Fred. Nope. She wanted no part of him. I guess she's not ready yet. We'll try again Saturday. We spit tested Percy and she sat again. So, she had another date with Mo today. McGuyver's Storm hasn't had a date in a year, so today was a real treat for him! He had a date with Malea. At first, he fumbled around a bit, but then it was like riding a bicycle! This boy has stamina :) Poor Fred, girls either spit at him or ran from him. He'll need a cold shower.

Sonny and Soleil went to a new home in Northern California. Rick dropped them off yesterday. I'm really going to miss them. They are both so cute. I'm sure the new owners were very pleased when they walked out of the trailer yesterday.

We're already started planning the next Pacaribbean cruise. It will be on Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas", sailing October 9, 2010 to the Eastern Caribbean. We have already booked two balcony cabins to get the ball rolling. This ship is "one of a kind" and unlike anything other cruise ship. Check it out at www.oasisoftheseas.com, then call me to book it - 1-888-997-8726.

The next few months are going to be very busy. September 27 & 28 is Alpaca Farm Days; October 13 is Rick's birthday; October 18 to 26, we are on the First Pacaribbean cruise to the Caribbean on "Mariner of the Seas" (and will celebrate Pati's October 20th birthday onboard); November is Thanksgiving and Rick's famous turkey; November is also AlpacaFest West; December begins the holidays. I'm having Christmas dinner at my house with 19 of my family and very closest friends. New Year's Day at the ranch, then January 3rd I'm having a birthday party for my sister's 50th. Whew!

All the crias are doing great. Rockstarr is hot! He and Aurora are buddies. Maybe her kissy face will rub off on him. Yeh, right. They look so cute together as they look so much alike. Well, they are half brother and sister (same dad).

Since it was so nice out today, I got to take the boys for walks. First, Felix and Alpha (or Felix would have been upset). They were such good boys. Then, I took Majik and Luther. Luther is like a Mac Truck, but he was a pretty good boy today. Majik is just a sweetheart. I was going to take Apolla and Kona, but changed my mind. I haltered Kona and he started doing the funky chicken. Since I was walking two, I decided walking these two wasn't such a good idea. They need a little more work on the halter. Next week I'll take each of them with one of the other boys (Felix, Alpha, or Majik) which should make it easier on me. The boys hadn't been for a walk in quite some time. It's just been too hot lately.

I had to leave about noon today because I'm still working on remodeling my bathroom and bedroom. The flooring is in now. So, it's painting, wallpapering, molding, etc., etc., etc. It's alot of work, but I love it. It's coming out very nice.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I wish Rick a safe an uneventful trip from here to New York, and back, with many stops in between.

Sambuca and Kalea should be delivering soon. And, IF Meg Ryan is pregnant, her due date is September 16th. If she is, and has a girl, the cria's name will be Mys Tery.

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.

YES! Carmella DID :)

With almost no exception, I go to the ranch on Saturdays, every week. Every so often, I will have a commitment on Saturday, and go on Sunday. That is what happened this week. I was invited to a going away party for a dear friend's son, that is going to Oregon to attend college. So, this week, I was at the ranch on Sunday.

The morning started out with me having coffee with my very special friends, Bob & Jackie. I hadn't seen them since my birthday party. Great coffee, yet even better company :) Then, around 8:15AM, I was off to the ranch. Rick was transporting 3 pet males to a client's new farm. I've learned you introduce pet males to a new Alpaca environment to "test the waters". There could possibly be something toxic on the land (especially certain plants, trees and weeds). You would not want to expose your producing females, crias or herdsires, without first knowing it was safe for them.

So, I spent the morning with Pati and the herd. They are now on baby watch for Carmella, Star, Malea, Dusty Rose and Ariana (I think in that order). Carmella, Ariana and Malea are in the north field; Dusty Rose and Star are in the main field. It's like watching a tennis match :) Head to the right, head to the left, head to the right, etc., etc., etc. Watching to see if they go to the poop pile and do nothing; to see if they are chewing their cud; are their ears down?; are any of them laying on their sides?; can you see their vulva?; is it elongated? are they eating?; (applicable to north field) - where is Lillith the Llama midwife? Of course, the phrase "a watched pot" comes to mind. B U T, around 11ish, Carmella had gone to the poop pile twice, and done nothing, she had been laying on her side with a very elongated vulva and she appeared to be restless. Within 30 minutes, Lillith came running down to Carmella's side, all the way from the northeast field. While Lillith stood "midwife watch", Carmella started pushing. It took a bit of pushing before out popped a leg, then a nose, then another leg. YEAH! Pati helped by gently pulling the legs in a downward position, to make it easier on mom. Plop, there is a healthy, baby boy on the ground! While he lay on the ground, he was checked out by some of his "aunts:" Athena, Cher, Dip N Dot, Malea, Lillith and KoKo. I hope no one is offended by the photo I posted of this blessed event. This personifies Lillith the Llama Midwife, and you get a peak of MR. BOJANGLES as he entered the world at approximately 11:33AM on Sunday, July 27.

Mr. Bojangles? The perfect name for this little guy. After Carmella passed her placenta, Pati carried the cria up to the shed to weigh him and take he and mom to the nursery. This bouncing baby boy weighed 17+ pounds. In less than an hour, he was up walking, trying to nurse, running, nursing, hopping, nursing, nap time, running, nursing, hopping. What an active little guy and cute as a button. Some horse owners were at the ranch today and Rick brought them up to the nursery to see the new baby. He performed, dancing all around the nursery, raising and lowering his head and neck, and acting very much like Mr. Bojangles. What a perfect name!
Rick & Pati are always so good at coming up with names that truly fit the personality of the Alpaca. Congratulations, Rick & Pati, and THANK YOU, Carmella, for letting me witness your delivery.

In between enjoying the new little boy (who, at that point, was unnamed), Rick and I took Felix and Alpha for a walk. Felix was in a great mood in the morning, but was not very cooperative on his walk in the afternoon. I think he's still upset that he didn't get a walk last weekend, yet Apolla and Kona did. Alpha was his great self, and yes, has even more spots. We just don't know about him. We weighed the boys today: Felix 123.9 pounds, Alpha 112.8 pounds. Alpha is catching up to Felix! Alpha is such a good looking boy. I really hope he will grow into herdsire material. He was my first cria and it would be very hard to part with him.

I spent some time in all the fields early in the day. Norma Rae looks like an adult (and is bigger than some of the adults) and not quite 11 months old. Pati Cake couldn't get any blacker, and is getting pretty tall, too. Star is obviously very uncomfortable as she waddles around with her BIG belly. It will all be over soon, Star. I am so anxious to see your first cria. Her actual due date is August 9th, but she could deliver any time. Maidens can be unpredictable. I'm only 30 minutes away when she starts labor. I will drop whatever I'm doing to be there :) Vanilla Sundae is getting a belly, but not as big as Princess'. They are both due the end of November. Meg Ryan? Same story, who knows? If she is , her due date is late September. She doesn't look pregnant to me, but I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything. If not, I would like to make a concentrated effort, in the next few months, to get her pregnant. Not me, silly, Snowmass Jericho's Conquistador (lovingly known as Fred).

Rick got back from Ramona. He missed the whole birth. He swears the Alpacas watch for his tail lights, then go in to labor. I think he's right. Rick, Pati and I hung out on the patio, libating (is that a word?) and discussing our upcoming cruise. It's getting closer and closer. We are all very excited to spend a week in the Caribbean aboard a floating resort, in cabins with balconies overlooking the ocean. Oh yes.

Pati and I passed out treats and laughed at the Mo babies. Biff, Tiffany and Vanessa are so funny to watch. Wrong Way and Brandi seem to have teamed up and spent some time neck wrestling. Wrong Way like to air spit :) Watch out, guys, here comes trouble....and his name is Mr. Bojangles! He's going to terrorize the main field :)

Yes, another GREAT day at the ranch.

Nope, Carmella Didn't

Nope. Carmella has decided to hold on to that cria a little longer. Although Star's due date is August 10th, she really isn't showing the "labor" signs. She's as big as a house, and grunts when she walks or tries to roll, but other than that, she's acting pretty normal. That's O.K. That baby can cook for at long as she wants :) I'm so anxious to see what Star and Fred can do together.

It was a nice day at the ranch. Warm, but with a great breeze. The weather was perfect for spit testing and breeding. I went down to get Fred and he ran to the gate when he saw the halter. He almost put the halter on himself and galloped up the hill to the show pen, where girlfriend #1 was waiting. Nope. She spit. Next. Nope. She spit. Next. Nope. She spit. Next. Nope, that was just a trial to see if this maiden will sit August 21st. Sorry, Fred. Treats didn't seem to take the place of a date. Next up: Mo. Yep, got the job done, IN AN HOUR. Dang, dude! Next: Blade. Oh yes, this guy knows what to do and makes a lot of noise doing it. I hope they didn't brag too much in front of Fred. Poor Fred.

I hung out with the girls for awhile and can't believe how big Norma Rae is getting. She looks just like the mature adults, and she is only 10 months old. Pati Cake is getting really tall, too. Vanilla has been hanging out with mom, Carmel Sunday. They are due at the same time. Princess has teamed up with the "Sisterhood" of Prissy, Aria and Manda Smith. Rick and Pati noticed the 4 of them hanging out together quite a bit. They are the Grumpy Plumpies. Princess is the youngest at age 10, and Manda is the oldest at 15. Go Girls!

Rick and I took Apollo and Kona for their first official walk. They've been on a halter once, to move from shearing the Boy's Town. Apolla did great, and Kona did pretty well following. By the end of the walk, they were both doing pretty well. Since Suris tend to be high spirited, they really did well. Rick thought Apollo would be a challenge, but he was the best of the two. I hung out with the little boys (little boys? they are all getting pretty big, except for little Patron). The weeds with the yellow flowers are getting scarce now that it's so warm. I was able to find a handful to give the boys. Luther, Felix, Majik and Alpha are all real friendly. Patron is a little stand-offish, as is Sonny. Sometimes Sonny will eat the weeds and let me get pretty close, but not often. Felix was a love bug (but spit at me later in the day when I walked Kona instead of him), and Alpha is just a sweetheart. He still keeps getting more spots, and now there are threads of silver blending through his blanket. Wow, we still have no clue what color he will be.

It was fun to sit around with Rick and Pati and talk about our upcoming cruise. Wow, less than 3 months. We've been planning it for so long. It is going to be great to spend 7 days in the Caribbean in a balcony cabin! We also talked about the AOA Auction in Las Vegas in January. They go every year. In 2009, I'm going too! I can't wait. I really enjoy meeting Alpaca people. And, it's my very first live Alpaca auction. I must show restraint :(

Pretty soon it will be time to start thinking about Alpaca Farm Days and upcoming shows. All American Alpacas is participating in Alpaca Farm Days in September. This year there will be more Alpacas, more crias, Alpaca products and Mexican food! In November is AlpacaFest West at Industry Hills. Next March is the Southwest Alpaca Show in Phoenix. Diane and I went last year and will be going next year, as well. I'm not sure which of my Alpacas will be going to shows, but I'll decide soon (with Rick and Pati's input, of course).

I've posted a picture I took of Tiffany last Saturday. I posted a blog about the birth of Tiffany. Is she cute or what? Her dam is Nala and her sire is Show Me The Money. Nala is my Vanilla Sundae's half sister (same dad, Vivace). Nala and Vanilla have similar coloring, except Vanilla wears medium brown thong. Vanilla is bred to Show Me The Money. Would that be cool, or what, for me to have a cria from Vanilla that looks like Tiffany? YES!

Lots of birthdays!

Yes, I'm bad again. I haven't written for awhile. I was in Washington from July 2 to 6 celebrating birthdays (Kylynn's, Nikki's and mine) and the 4th of July. We had a great party, fantastic food, an abundance of libation and really cool fireworks (which is O.K. in Steilacoom, WA).

I was at the ranch on Saturday, July 12, hoping Carmella would decide to have her cria. Nope. I spent some time in each field with the girls and in Boy's Town with the boys. Rick and Pati had sold Tonto Goldstein and Rick was taking him to his new home in Mira Loma. I went along for the ride, because some of my ol' buddies are there (Nicholas, Oliver, Christopher and Harrison). It was great to see them again. Tonto fit right in with his ol' friends. These guys have a great life. Lots of space, grass and people who truly love them.

Back at the ranch, I took Felix and Alpha for a walk. I wanted Rick and Pati to get a good look at Alpha, as he continues to have more silver spots on his back. He is definitely changing colors. To what, we aren't sure. I hope whatever he's going to do is done by November, for AlpacaFest West, because I'd like to show him again. I walked the boys by the fence where all the girls are, and little Miss Pati Cake clucked at Alpha and raised her tail. No way, little girl....first of all, you are too young; secondly, Alpha is your full brother!

While I was away, Toni (Star's mom) finally had her cria. A darling little boy who has been named "Wrong Way". Why? Because he was breach! Dr. Thacher had to come out to help with this birth. He's a cutie pie and really clings to mom. It is so much fun to see so many little crias running around again. The Mo babies are all best buddies (Tiffany, Vanessa and Biff). While all the crias were running and playing, Smokey decided to pronk with them. What a beautiful sight.

Star is HUGE and it's obvious she's uncomfortable. She S L O W L Y walks up the hill. Her official due date is August 10th. She's a maiden, so I hope she has an uneventful birth. It took so long to get her pregnant, I am counting the days for her to deliver. I can't wait to see what she and Conquistador produce. I know it will be spectacular. IF Meg Ryan is pregnant, her due date is late September. BIG IF!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
Kylynn - 3 on June 24 (my granddaughter)
Vanilla Sundae - 2 on June 28
Nikki - 33 on July 10 (my daughter)
Princess - 10 on July 10
Me - 60 on July 13
Patron - 1 on July 15
Carmella - 5 on July 15
Loren - 22 on July 17 (my daughter)
Sylvia - 65 on July 25 (my OLDER sister :)

The advantage of being a human over an Alpaca is I had a great birthday party! My sister and brother in law arranged a surprise brunch at Rodrigo's in Norco. The most important people in my life were there. I was so happy that Carmella decided not to deliver her cria on July 13, for 2 reasons. 1) Rick and Pati would have to stay home with the new cria rather than coming to my party, and 2) Rick said if Carmella delivered a boy that day it would be "a boy named Sue".
Obviously, Carmella wanted no part of that. Thanks, Carmella, for letting Rick and Pati be part of my celebration. Oh yes, we had fun. Oh yes, the Margaritas flowed! The bartender made our drinks very special to put us in a party mood. He succeeded! Great food, drinks, family, friends and really cool gifts! It was a wonderful afternoon that I will remember always. Thanks to Patti and Dave (my sister and brother in law) for arranging such a special party.

They say 60 is the new 40. Sounds good to me!

The Day Tiffany Was Born

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 :)

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).

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.

Pacasitting Day 4

Although my last day of Pacasitting was yesterday, I didn't get this written until this morning.

If you read the first paragraph of the previous 3 days of Pacasitting, you can fill in the blanks. I arrived at 7AM,__ __ __ __ __ __ __. In other words, no babies.

The weather went from cloudy to sunny to overcast to sunny to cloudy. The best part...no rain! The ground is drying up really well with only a few mud puddles left. The Alpacas were laying all around the fields, truly enjoying the nicer weather. I really enjoyed spending hours sitting in the fields, hanging out and observing them. Or, were they observing me? Gabby and Michelle are so funny to watch. They are buddies and play alot. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw Gabby rear up and chest butt Michelle. Kids! In the nursery, I caught Indy (born January 2007) trying to nurse from Priscilla. I scolded her and she stopped. I told Rick about it, so she may end up getting moved in to the maiden field. I didn't try to move her thinking maybe she won't do it again. Unlike Zsa Zsa, who was relentless at trying to nurse.

After Philip left, I noticed there wasn't much hay in the middle and north fields. Pati had told me if I needed to put hay in the fields to use the rolling cart and take it a few flakes at a time. The bales are pretty bulky and heavy. I know the secret to putting a bale on the golf cart is leverage. I've watched Rick many, many times. I figured I could do it! After all, someday I'm going to have to put hay out in my own fields, so I better get used to do. First things first. Before I can drive the golf cart in to the field, I have to move the Alpacas. I started with the maidens in center field. I picked up an armful of hay in their feeder and walked into the alley with it. Yep, they all followed. I closed the gate and they were fine munching on, what they thought, was new hay. I pulled the golf cart out of the garage and headed for the barn. At one point, I got stuck in a mud puddle on the way down. It's not too difficult to push a golf cart out of a mud hole :) On to the hay. I'm standing in front of a tower of hay bales, hook in hand. It really wasn't too hard to position the bale and drop it on to the back of the golf cart, then push up the bale with my body and secure it to the cart with straps. Off to center field. I got the bale off the cart and in to the feeder with the help of the hook. Done! I drove the golf cart out of the field, then went back in and opened the gate for the girls. Doing the north field was a little more of a challenge. More Alpacas and Llamas to deal with. But, I was able to move everyone where I wanted them to be and get hay in the north and northeast field. I was pretty proud of myself.

I hung out with the boys for quite awhile. Because of the rains, weeds were popping up again. They love the weeds with the yellow flowers. I picked a bunch and treated all the boys. I took a bunch in the field with the little boys and they all ate from my hand, even Patron! I wanted to take Felix for a walk, but Patron has become quite attached to him. I didn't want him to freak out if Felix left. So, I walked Alpha with his new halter. Yep, he has a brown halter with his name in yellow across the bridge of the nose. It fits perfect. Maybe next weekend I can put a halter on Patron and walk him and Felix. After our walk, I let the boys out in the alley and the playground for a few hours. Kona and Apollo got to join them again today. They all had a great time running around and being boys.

Throughout the day, I kept checking on north field just in case someone decided to have a baby.
Nope.

Rick called around 1PM and said he was on the road back from Utah. Pati was at the airport trying to get on an earlier flight home. I talked to her last night and she was able to get on an earlier flight from Salt Lake, but got stuck in Las Vegas, so still didn't make it to Ontario until 9PM. Rick should make it home today.

It got cool and overcast around 3:30, so I went ahead and did treats early. Everyday, I made sure Prissy had her special treats in the nursery. I left about 4PM.

I had a great time Pacasitting. I would have liked it even more if Summer had cooperated and had her baby. But, it wasn't meant to be. That's O.K. I had 4 days of experiences that will serve me well in the future. A big THANK YOU to Rick & Pati for trusting me to take care of the herd.

Pacasitting Day 3

It's Saturday. Considering I go to the ranch on Saturdays and I've witnessed several births, I figured today was Summer's day to deliver. I was up and out of my house at 6AM because Summer has a habit of delivering at 6:45AM. I made it to the ranch by 6:40. I jumped out of the car, camera and cell phone in hand, and headed for the north field. Summer was standing in the north east field and looked very uncomfortable. At times, it appears she was having contractions. There was alot of movement going on in her belly. She was not chewing her cud.

The first thing I did was close 2 gates, confining her to one field. Magdelena, Emma and Obama were in there with her. I sat on the wet ground to hang out with her for awhile. 30 minutes later, nothing.....30 more minutes, nothing. I decided to go check on all the other fields and come back. Maybe she needed some time alone. Long story short....no baby today.

Although it was cloudy, there was some blue sky and a little sun. After yesterday, it was a beautiful day to me (and I'm sure to the Alpacas). No rain today, yeah! This afternoon, the sun actually was out enough for me to take off my jacket.

Yep, the girls had a poop party in the shed. I got it cleaned up and Philip carried it away for me. Philip takes care of the fields; scooping poop, filling water buckets, replenishing hay and whatever else needs to be done. Then, it was time to capture two little girls and take off their coats. Gabby is like greased lightning. So, again, I cheated. I waited until she was nursing. It sure is easier when you have the coat to grab ahold of. Next, Michelle. I had to cheat with her too. I was really amazed that both coats were in tact. I figured Meg Ryan would have gotten them off overnight.

Yesterday, I caught Zsa Zsa (born November 2006) nursing on Priscilla (Gabby's mom). I asked Rick if he wanted me to move her to the center field. That could be easier said than done. Because of the weather, yesterday was not a good time to try. Today, yes! It took a little dividing of Alpacas to close gates and lessen the number I had to deal with. It ended up being Zsa Zsa, Meg Ryan (of course) and Dip 'N Dot (without her mom, Peach) in the alley outside center field. Of course, by this time, all the Alpacas are at the gate that I want to open and let Dip 'N Dot through to be with her mom. I was able to keep them back so she could get through. Meg Ryan was not cooperative. I finally gave up and tried to "arm herd" Zsa Zsa in to the middle field. It worked! Then, Meg followed me out, I opened all the appropriate gates and life is good.

I made it a point to check on the preggos every 30 minutes. I also pruned a pepper tree so the boys could have treats. I didn't realize how many branches I cut, from a tree all the way on the other end of the 5 acre property. More than I could carry in one trip. Light bulb! I got the golf cart, filled up the back basket with tree branches and drove down to Boys Town. All the boys got tree branches and really seemed to enjoy them. I let the litle boys out of their field where they could run in the alley and in the empty field (their playground). Apollo and Kona are little guys,but they live in a field with Show Me The Money. I let them out, too. All the little boys were having a great time, except for Patron. He is the smallest. He spent the whole time glued to Felix. I think Felix has become his big brother. Alpha, Kona and Apollo were being "boys"; neck wrestling, biting ankles, and chasing each other around. Apollo likes to spit :(
(sort of a wet air spit). DJ and Luther had a great time munching on branches and running around. They spent several hours playing. When it was time to put them back in the fields, they all went without a problem. Tomorrow we'll take walks.

The sun hid behind the clouds this afternoon at about 3:30. Because it was cloudy and cool, I thought it would be O.K. to give everyone treats early. While giving treats in the north field, I had a chance to check under the tails of the preggos. Didn't look any different than first thing this morning. After treats, I checked all the gates, locked up the house and headed for home. t
The road wasn't as bad this morning, driving in, although still puddles and mud. This afternoon was even better. Still muddy in spots, but not bad at all.

Pati flies home tomorrow afternoon. I will be at the ranch bright and early in case Summer wants to surprise her with a cria. I talked to Rick this afternoon. Paris Hilton won 4th place in her class. Wow, that is so cool! Tomorrow, Majik and Sonny will be in the ring!

PacaSitting Day 2

Just in case Summer decided to deliver this morning, I was at the ranch at 7:15AM. The first thing I did was go in the north field and check on everyone. The only one that looked ready to deliver was Nala. I really thought today was her day by the looks of her back end. While I was in the field, Rick called. I told him about Nala and he said she's been that way for 2 months. Whew. She's really not due for another month. Summer, Gwen and Toni didn't look like they planned to do anything today. I can't say I blame them. The weather was yukky. It didn't started raining until this afternoon. The morning was cold and windy. After checking on the "baby watch" girls, I headed down to Boy's Town to check on them. They didn't seem too happy about the weather, but were doing well. The weather is way too bad to walk anyone. I did spend time with the little boys, who seemed to enjoy the attention.

As the day progressed, the weather got worse. Colder, rain, wind. I decided to try to put cria coats on Michelle and Gabby (born May 11 and 12), just in case the weather stayed bad, or got worse, after I left. Catching crias in the mud is a challenge. I FINALLY got ahold of Gabby (I cheated...I waited until she was nursing) and did what Pati showed me to do. Put it around their neck and attach the velcro first. Then, you've got something to hold on to (the coat) to finish the velcro under their belly. No sooner did I get the coat on her than Meg Ryan came over and starting pulling at it. Before long, she had the belly velcro undone. So, here's little Gabby, walking around the nursery with a cria coat hanging from her neck! Great! At least catching her was easier because I had the coat to grab. I got her all fixed up, then went for Michelle. She was a master at weaving in and out of the adults to evade my capture. After playing slip and slide in the mud, I finally got her. She was so funny. Once I got the coat on her, she kept trying to walk backwards, as if to back out of it. They both acted weird for awhile, but seemed to get used to their new outfits. The adults were sure curious as to what these little girls were wearing.

Because of the weather, I spent more time in the house with the kitties than outside with the Alpacas. I did take a walk to the north field every 30 minutes to check on the late preggos. I noticed that several of the girls from the main field were standing in the shed to be out of the rain. Granted, they have the shelters over their feeders, but the rain was blowing sideways.
There is a section of the shed that is used for vet checks, with a door that closes. I went ahead and opened the door to give them more room in a sheltered area. I know they'll have a poop party in the shed tonight, but that's O.K. I'll clean it out in the morning.

I was worried about Aria. I noticed she wasn't chewing her cud, was nowhere near Manda Smith (her best buddy), and was shivering. She's one of the older girls, so I was concerned. I called Rick and asked him what to do. He said to do the "bucket test". Grab the blue bucket, put treats in it, and walk in to her field and see what she does. WELL, I wasn't even in the gate of her field before she, and all the others, were running to the fence. She was in my face, spitting at Manda Smith and eating treats. Great test, Rick! I guess she's fine. Maybe she just had the morning blahs. After treats, she spent the rest of the day cushed next to Manda. Cool.
Rick said it was O.K. to give everyone treats, so I did. I'm glad I did because later in the day it was raining and they don't get treats in the rain.

I left a little earlier today, around 4:15PM. I was concerned that I may not be able to drive out if I waited much longer. The dirt road was not too bad going in this morning, but was real slippery going out. I skidded a few times, but remembered you steer into the skid, so I was fine. I drove R E A L S L O W.

I hope the weather gets better tomorrow. I want to hang out in the fields with the Alpacas and take the boys for walks. It's not fun watching the Alpacas through the living room or sun room windows. I want to be with them :)

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".

Two Months of "Catch Up"

Wow, it's hard to believe it's been 2 months since I've written. It's not because I haven't been going to the ranch (because I have), nor is it because nothing exciting has happened (because things have). I've just been a nut case with work and haven't been able to sit down quietly and collect my thoughts.

After 2 months, where do I start? I still go to the ranch every Saturday and help with breeding, spit testing, walking the boys and anything else I can do. Marquita had a darling little boy in March. They, recently, went to a new home in San Diego. Her little boy's nickname is "Spot" because he is a light fawn yet covered with spots. He took a real liking to Lillith the Llama. They would neck wrestle and he would follow her around, and even nurse from her. Rick said if a cria sucks long enough, milk will appear. How crazy is that? More about Llamas and crias later...
Emma also had a darling little black boy in April, followed by Smokey surprising us with a perfect little black girl last Saturday. Not to be outdone, Priscilla waited to deliver her, cutie pie, medium fawn little girl on Mother's Day. It was pretty funny at the ranch last Saturday. Rick and Pati had moved Priscilla in to a field with only 2 other Alpacas. There was every indication she was going to deliver that day. All of us kept walking around the house to look in the field to see if it was time for the blessed event. Pati left and Rick and I continued the vigil. While standing there, watching Priscilla, Rick glanced over into the next field and saw a new cria rolling in the hay. Smokey had popped out her baby, with no fanfare. She was so quick, Lillith hadn't even noticed yet. A perfect little girl, 21 pounds, jet black and healthy. Priscilla also delivered a 21 pound perfect little girl the next day. If you don't read Rick's updates, he said that when the nose and toes were showing, Priscilla started spinning around like a cat and spitting at the cria hanging out her back end. Rick was concerned she may not be a good mom, but nope, she's a great mom.

Mid April was shearing time again. This year was a fiasco as Ken, the shearer, was having problems with his equipment. That delayed the job getting done in 2 consecutive days. The first day, he did about 40 Alpacas, then could only do about 4 the following day. He couldn't finish the job until the following week. Diane bagged and tagged the fiber, I helped with herding, some holding, and walking boys back and forth from Boy's Town. Rick blew out his knee so wasn't able to hold the animals. A friend of theirs, Dave from Raisin Bred Alpacas, did most of the holding of the animals and did a fantastic job. He really had a way with them. Pati held quite a few of the animals also, which is amazing, considering she is so tiny. Who gets the prize for being the most unruly Alpaca??? ALLAA Perseverance 291. Yep, little Percy, that weighed 7 pounds at birth, was almost 2 months premature (the youngest gestation to live)was tubed, bottle fed, wore diapers, stayed in the house, and was handled a lot by adults. She threw Pati, Dave and Ken around like rag dolls. She's a real firecracker. I would say a close second would be my girl, Princess. I can see she is quite predicable at shearing. Once again, projecting from every oriface, and yelling the whole time. No, she wasn't being hurt. She was MAD! Once again, shearing was like unwrapping presents. I think the biggest surprise was Lilly Belle. She had sort of a marble look to her fiber. After being shorn, she is a pattern of light and dark fawn. She's really pretty.
I know I've talked about Alpha's spots before. Well, now that he's been shorn, he has lots of little silver spots. Spots he didn't have last year. It could be my imagination, but it looks like he's getting more and more spots every week.

Speaking of my first born, Alpha, he has recently had a growth spurt. February 16, he weighed 89.1 pounds; March 1st 88.1 pounds; April 5th 97 pounds, and May 10th (after shearing) 107 pounds. Considering he shed 2 pounds of fiber, that means he gained 12 pounds in a little over a month. Go Alpha! He's so sweet. He, now, will eat tree leaves and weeds from my hand. Alpha helped halter train Tonto, who will be going to the Nationals in Utah. They have a very special bond and are really cute to watch together. Felix helped halter train Sonny and Majik, as they are going to Nationals, also. So is Paris Hilton. I am so excited that I get to Pacasit while Rick and Pati attend the show. I know they'll be bringing home lots of ribbons :)

Back to shearing for a moment....at the end is when the Llamas were shorn. It's pretty easy to handle them by short tying them in the shed. Rose and Lillith are Rick and Pati's. KoKo is a border that came last July. She had been barrel cut last year, so she looked really big and fat.
When Ken started shearing off her fiber, there was lots of movement going on in her belly. Yep, KoKo is pregnant. KoKo is pregnant by an Alpaca. Where she used to live, they would put the herdsire in the field with the girls (obviously, Alpaca and Llama girls) for the day. Oops! Considering their gestation is the same as an Alpaca, and she's been at Rick and Pati's since last July, she should be due pretty soon. Watch, she'll have her cria while I'm Pacasitting. Actually, there is a possibility of a few crias, maybe, being born on "my watch". Nala, Summer, Gwen and Toni (Star's mom) are all on baby watch. Today, we went over what I need to do in the event a cria is born. I've been very fortunate to witness several births at the ranch, which will be helpful. I can do it. Plus, how helpful is this? Two weeks ago, Rick held a seminar on cria births. It was very informative and I learned a lot. There were about 20 people there and I know everyone walked away much more knowledgeable than when they arrived.

Wow, this is too hard, trying to catch up for 2 whole months. I think I'll end this with a list of my "herd" (which is now up to 8), and what's been going on with them:

Princess - bred to Fred in December, due in late November. She's doing great, has been a wonderful mom to Pati Cake and is starting to get a belly.
Alpha - the jury is still out on him. Although he didn't do well in the shows, I am not ready to write him off as a pet male. He is so sweet, has great confirmation, great bite, impressive testicles and is growing well. Plus, the spots intrigue me.
Vanilla Sundae - bred to Mo in December, due in late November. She is doing great and looking more like her dad, Vivace, every day. She is mellow, just like her mom, Carmel Sunday.
Felix - my sweetheart. He is doing great, has incredible fiber with lots of crimp and has a personality all his own. I actually feel he gets jealous if I halter a herdsire for breeding before I go in his field and spend time with him. He's the oldest in his field and seems to get along well with everyone. His roommates are Alpha, Merlin's Majik, Deja Vu, Luther, Patron, Sonny and Tonto.
Star - bred to Fred in late August, due in early August. Yes, Star is pregnant!! She is huge!!
I am so pleased with her. She is a beautiful girl, and her coloring (light rose gray) is magnificent.
Meg Ryan - bred to Fred, bred to Fred, bred to Fred. Is she pregnant? Don't know. She is so hard to read. Rick said now that she's been shorn, we'll put her in the chute in a few weeks and he'll ultrasound her. He did say he thinks her belly looks lopsided and she has a "don't even think about it" stance when boys are around.
Pati Cake - my baby girl. Oh boy, is she black! She's growing like a weed. She'll be 7 months old next week and will be weaned from mom, Princess, pretty soon. I'm hoping to show her in the Fall, depending on how her fiber looks when it grows out.
Norma Rae - Who? You've never heard me talk about Norma Rae? Probably because I just added her to my herd :) She is Felix's half sister (same mom, different dad). Although their mom, Paloma, was the Wicked Witch of the West (and has been sold and left the ranch), she has really nice babies. She's a big girl for her age, and we expect to breed her on her first birthday. This is pretty weird. I, actually, named her. She was born September 1, 2007 (Labor Day weekend). She has some pretty hot shot names in her ancestry, so I have high hopes for her. I think she'd like a date with Mo on her birthday.

I won't let so much time pass without writing. Not only do I enjoy writing for people to read, but I find myself going back to my blogs to remember certain events and when they occurred.

I promise to write about my Pacasitting experience :) Stay tuned....