Ol’ Bob.
November 4th 2007 22:15
I’d like to introduce you to Ol’ Bob, otherwise known as Bob, Bobtail, Bobby or Mr. Tail.
Bob is the very first alpaca we bought, back in 1997. He was pretty old then. I think the guy we bought him off said he was “about” 8. That may have been conservative. I’ve read that 20-25 years is the life expectancy of alpacas, so Bob is a senior citizen of the alpaca world.
Bob is a cantankerous old wether. He doesn’t like being handled and lets us know that whenever we need to do anything with him. He is white, but has a black tail and a black beauty (?) spot on his face. He doesn’t have the trendy look of the younger alpacas and his fleece is pretty coarse. He also has a couple of big holes in one ear, so it flops over at the top and won’t stay upright anymore – this was compliments of an agro male we had who wanted to kill every other male within a 100 mile radius, even wethers. (That boy was castrated and his problems went away).
Ol’ Bob has absolutely no monetary value. Who, in their right mind would buy an 18 year old alpaca! But to us, he’s priceless. Every alpaca farm should have at least one Ol’ Bob. Here’s why:
1. He is an excellent herd protector. Any strange dogs come onto the property and Bob’s there at the front, rearing up and ready to take them on. Despite his age, he is still – um – “spritely” and he has escorted quite a few stray dogs from the property over the years.
2. He’s an old auntie. We can put this boy in with boys, girls, babies, cows, with no problem, he gets along with everyone (except that one agro dude, but that was the other guys problem). He has a quiet presence about him and seems to command the respect of all the other alpacas. He is great at keeping the peace in whatever group he’s with.
3. Some alpacas can be sickly creatures, always requiring attention. Ol’ Bob is tough as and doesn’t cost us anything to keep, except a vaccination, some drench and the occasional shearing. I usually shear him myself with hand shears. His fleece isn’t worth anything to sell, so I use him for my shearing “practice”. He complains a bit to start with but then just stands nicely and lets me get on with it. He’s getting a professional job this year though, because I have a wrist strain that I need to look after and hand-shearing alpacas won’t do anything at all to help that.
So, if you’re ever going past an alpaca farm and you see one hundred beautiful, young alpacas and one Ol’ Bob. Instead of wondering why on earth they keep that one, you’ll know why.
Alpaca - Ol' Bob
Bob is the very first alpaca we bought, back in 1997. He was pretty old then. I think the guy we bought him off said he was “about” 8. That may have been conservative. I’ve read that 20-25 years is the life expectancy of alpacas, so Bob is a senior citizen of the alpaca world.
Bob is a cantankerous old wether. He doesn’t like being handled and lets us know that whenever we need to do anything with him. He is white, but has a black tail and a black beauty (?) spot on his face. He doesn’t have the trendy look of the younger alpacas and his fleece is pretty coarse. He also has a couple of big holes in one ear, so it flops over at the top and won’t stay upright anymore – this was compliments of an agro male we had who wanted to kill every other male within a 100 mile radius, even wethers. (That boy was castrated and his problems went away).
Ol’ Bob has absolutely no monetary value. Who, in their right mind would buy an 18 year old alpaca! But to us, he’s priceless. Every alpaca farm should have at least one Ol’ Bob. Here’s why:
1. He is an excellent herd protector. Any strange dogs come onto the property and Bob’s there at the front, rearing up and ready to take them on. Despite his age, he is still – um – “spritely” and he has escorted quite a few stray dogs from the property over the years.
2. He’s an old auntie. We can put this boy in with boys, girls, babies, cows, with no problem, he gets along with everyone (except that one agro dude, but that was the other guys problem). He has a quiet presence about him and seems to command the respect of all the other alpacas. He is great at keeping the peace in whatever group he’s with.
3. Some alpacas can be sickly creatures, always requiring attention. Ol’ Bob is tough as and doesn’t cost us anything to keep, except a vaccination, some drench and the occasional shearing. I usually shear him myself with hand shears. His fleece isn’t worth anything to sell, so I use him for my shearing “practice”. He complains a bit to start with but then just stands nicely and lets me get on with it. He’s getting a professional job this year though, because I have a wrist strain that I need to look after and hand-shearing alpacas won’t do anything at all to help that.
So, if you’re ever going past an alpaca farm and you see one hundred beautiful, young alpacas and one Ol’ Bob. Instead of wondering why on earth they keep that one, you’ll know why.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
A lovely story, quite the poseur, isn't he?
katyzzz
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
He's a funny, cranky old thing. He is one who likes to be in front of the camera too. Cheers.
Comment by Krystal
feelings
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Films Found
..that is just priceless..just like Bob. This one really touched me and I hope he doesn't stress too much with the professional baaarber... he won't like it I guess?
Lilla ...
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
He is a character. There's always something that makes me smile when I'm out in the paddock and usually it's Ol' Bob laying on his back sun baking.
Hi Lilla.
Alpacas don't like being shorn, it's pretty scary for them. They'll be happy to have their big woolly coats off for the summer though. Cheers.