Author Archives: fred

Incspot Climbs the Fence?

Posted on by January 22, 2013
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Yellow Wood Male Barn

Our male llamas have there own barn and are divided into a number of runs which are connected to their barn stalls.  Some of our males (Inspot, PPF Pablo Cruz  and Smokin’ Gun) have there own runs and stalls, so that we can keep them separated from each other and the younger boys.

The other day Laura went into the barn and didn’t see Inspot in his run.   When she started looking for him, she found him in the fenced in area that is between his run and a large fenced in area that houses several of our younger males.  He was enjoying the fresh grass that had grown up in this area during the nice spring weather we have had this past week.

Incspot’s run is surrounded by a 6 foot high chain link fence with a 2″ x 6″ wooden top rail.  At first,  Laura thought he might have jumped the fence but on closer inspection she discovered he had actually crawled under the fence!  He had pushed his nose under a 3 foot by 4 inch gap that had been eroded during the winter. After he had managed to get his head under the fence he must have realized that he could not pull it back out because the chain link fence was just like a Chinese handcuff (remember playing with these as  a kid?).  With only one option left, he managed to push his entire body under the fence.  When Laura found him, he was having a grand old time devouring all of the new grown grass and intimidating the younger males on the other side of this area.

Who would have thought a 375 lb llama could slip his entire body under a 4 inch gap in a chain link fence!  So Laura opened the gate and lead him back into his own run thinking it was just a fluke.  Well to make a long story short, the next day he was back in the forbidden area!   Since Incspot had learned a new trick I was forced to take action. So, I spent a couple of hours yesterday installing a second 4″ x 6″ wooden rail across the bottom of the fence.  While I was sawing, drilling and screwing the new bottom rail in place, Incspot spent the time watching me crawling around in the mud with a bit of a smirk on his face.  When it was done he made several passes up and down the fence before he realized I had blocked the path to his new found freedom.  Believe it or not you could see the smirk turn to an expression of disgust!  Then he laid down in his dust pile, put his ears back and had a good sulk.  Now what will be his next trick!

Hard Rock’s Got My Vote

Posted on by January 22, 2013

Campaign x Hughes Bonita

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Got My Vote

Got My Vote, aka Jimmy, catches everyone’s eye with his striking reverse appy coloration and gorgeous head and ears. When you look closer, you will see that his correct, square and straight conformation and heavy bone complete the picture for this young male. He has an abundance of presence with his upright stature, and a very sweet and trusting disposition. His full Chilean bloodlines include the best ancestry including Chilean Avalanche and Black Jack on the top side, and Cima Bandado/Top Flight on his dam’s side. Jimmy quickly earned his ALSA Halter ROM in limited showing and Top Ten placings in both the Celebrity and Gold Rush futurities. We just love this guy and we know you will too!

Farewell to a Dear Friend

Posted on by January 22, 2013
Lewis

Lewis a True Inspiration

Yesterday was a very difficult day for Laura and I.  We had to say farewell to Lewis, our farm mascot.  Over the past ten years Lewis has taught Laura and I much about courage and overcoming adversity.    Lewis was born totally blind.  After a slow start he began to amaze us with a sixth sense that seemed to enable him to see–even though he did not have a retina in either eye.  We were amazed how he could find his way around the pasture and the way he could walk right up to us when he wanted his back scratched; even when we were zigzagging our way to the barn.

In 2000 while we were at the ALSA National show, Lewis’ left rear leg was badly fractured when vandals broke into our farm and left gates open allowing our male llamas in with the females and Lewis.   Lewis spent over 7 months at the Ohio State Veterinary hospital recovering from a very severe rear spiral leg fracture and several post operative infections.  After four surgeries, months of antibiotics and tons of love and care from many veterinarians and students, Lewis walked out of the hospital under his own power.

Over the subsequent eight years Lewis has taught Laura and I about courage and the importance of enjoying life’s simple pleasures.   Lewis’ simple pleasures included a good back scratch, nice flakes of alfalfa and talking to Laura and I with his honks which signaled his need for attention.

This past winter we realized that Lewis was having increased difficulty walking.  Favoring his once-broken rear leg had eventually resulted in the joints of his other three legs breaking down prematurely.  When the warm weather of spring finally arrived we saw some improvement.  However, over the past two weeks Lewis starting spending most of the time in his stall, only getting up to eat and drink.   During the past few days Lewis could no longer stand even though he made many courageous attempts.  Even though Lewis could not stand he still enjoyed his meals and getting his back scratched.  Unfortunately we knew that it would only be a matter of time before the lack of exercise would result either in depression or other health issues that would lead to infection or pneumonia.

One of the most difficult things we have had to do during our 15 years of raising llamas was asking our vet to end Lewis’ life.  Even during the procedure, Lewis demonstrated his courage by gently leaning against me as our vet inserted the needle that would end his life.  Lewis quietly fell asleep in my arms as Laura and I struggled with our grief.

The coming days will be especially difficult for Laura and I when go to the barn at feeding time and are not greeted by Lewis’ gentle honk and demands for his daily back rub.

I’m sure God has a special place for gentle companions like Lewis.  I’m sure Lewis now has a perfect body that allows him to run and play in a perpetually green pasture full of rich alfalfa, with perfect eyes that let him finally see all that he has missed these last ten years, and he has angels waiting to scratch that special spot.

Fred