Another Farewell
March 7th 2008 01:01
My herd of agistees left this morning.
I grew quite attached to a couple of them while they were here, so I was a little bit sad to see them go. Those two were the last to go up into the truck as well, so maybe they would have liked to stay behind.
I’ve enjoyed having these ones. They’ve been no trouble at all. Some alpacas can be hard work to look after. Some scatter when you herd them rather than staying together, some seem to be sickly and you worry about them all the time. Others can be spitty or pushy and don’t respect your personal space.
But this little herd was great. I’d go out with the food bucket and they’d all come running up to the gate. None were tame enough that I could pat them out in the paddock, but they’d take food from the bucket and they were all content and well adjusted animals. Just how alpacas should be.
We clipped their toenails before they left and they were really good. A couple objected a little, but nothing major. It wasn’t a huge deal to get them into the truck either. Only the last one needed to be helped up the ramp – my favourite of the group – I really think she wanted to stay. The other one I liked a lot, went up into the truck to get back to her mum who was already in. She’s nearly 12 months old, but not completely weaned off her mum yet.
I thought I’d lost one yesterday. I went out and they all came running up as usual and I did a head count, one missing. Counted again and a third time. Mild panic. I looked around and couldn’t see the missing one anywhere in the paddock.
I checked all along the creek in case she’d fallen in, or got caught up on a fence. Then, down by the dam I spotted a head sticking up, Lovely Pearl was there, happily sitting down under the gum trees. No problem, she was just having some time to herself. Phew!
It will be strange for a few days. I’ll be expecting them to come running up and have to remind myself that they’ve gone. Oh well, I’ve still got all my own lovely alpacas so I’ll spend a bit more time with them.
I grew quite attached to a couple of them while they were here, so I was a little bit sad to see them go. Those two were the last to go up into the truck as well, so maybe they would have liked to stay behind.
Some of my agistees
I’ve enjoyed having these ones. They’ve been no trouble at all. Some alpacas can be hard work to look after. Some scatter when you herd them rather than staying together, some seem to be sickly and you worry about them all the time. Others can be spitty or pushy and don’t respect your personal space.
But this little herd was great. I’d go out with the food bucket and they’d all come running up to the gate. None were tame enough that I could pat them out in the paddock, but they’d take food from the bucket and they were all content and well adjusted animals. Just how alpacas should be.
We clipped their toenails before they left and they were really good. A couple objected a little, but nothing major. It wasn’t a huge deal to get them into the truck either. Only the last one needed to be helped up the ramp – my favourite of the group – I really think she wanted to stay. The other one I liked a lot, went up into the truck to get back to her mum who was already in. She’s nearly 12 months old, but not completely weaned off her mum yet.
I thought I’d lost one yesterday. I went out and they all came running up as usual and I did a head count, one missing. Counted again and a third time. Mild panic. I looked around and couldn’t see the missing one anywhere in the paddock.
I checked all along the creek in case she’d fallen in, or got caught up on a fence. Then, down by the dam I spotted a head sticking up, Lovely Pearl was there, happily sitting down under the gum trees. No problem, she was just having some time to herself. Phew!
Agisted alpacas by the dam
It will be strange for a few days. I’ll be expecting them to come running up and have to remind myself that they’ve gone. Oh well, I’ve still got all my own lovely alpacas so I’ll spend a bit more time with them.
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Comment by Techno
Geeky Blog
Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Nice to think the pacas wanted to stay here, but they probably just found the truck scary.
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
I guess even geeks yearn for a quiet place in the country sometimes, away from all the buzzing technology.