Working with the alpacas is a wonderful experience for children. John's nephews are nine and ten years old and anxious to try their hand at teaching the yearlings, Sooleana and Kimi, to walk on a lead. This two-week vacation is the perfect time to begin this process.
Ian and John waited in the barn holding the halter and lead, while I held Sooleana by the back of the neck. When she was calm, Ian brought the lead to the pen. I explained to him that having the halter pass over the nose would make her nervous, because she will be afraid that she can't breathe. Ian's reply: "I'm nervous too, Grandma."
Sooleana was calm, and soon she was standing haltered while Ian held the long lead. John often interprets these sessions as "shot times" for the animals, and he wanted it to be over. But having Ian involved distracted him.
Ian was able to lead the gray alpaca by using short signals on the rope. We could see that she was attentive to what he was asking her to do. He used grain to reward her as she returned to the barn.
Sooleana's mother, Alameda, is away at a neighboring farm for breeding, and it was obvious that she is lonely. She buried her head in Ian's shoulder and neck as I unbuckled the halter. Ian later told his Dad that she is "a tickling alpaca": a wonderful memory for us all.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
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