FINALLY A BOY!

Our first four crias were girls. Last week, Danko's Irish Rose presented Alpaca Shack with a beautiful, light brown boy named Alpaca Shack's Kitchi. There was no anticipation the day that he arrived: we were sure that all the alpacas were on the lower pasture. You can imagine our reaction when the little guy appeared on the runway!

Our pen area is set up so that the males can be separate from the females. Our gelding, Kaboom, has had his own "digs" for over a year since we lost Vitanza, a white gelding, to a gastrointestinal problem. Kaboom has since been intergrated into the group of females and crias-much more satisfactory for him. But, if Kitchi grows into a desireable male for breeding, we'll be ready to accomodate that by separating him with good ol' Kaboom.

John has called our new white cria "the lamb" and he calls Kitchi "the doggie". They seem completely at ease with his loud voice and noises. Although the grandchildren seem to make a similar ruckus, the herd definitely is more wary of their advances. John begs to "stay and watch them". It is not uncommon for him to stand with them calling out updates on who is making a mess or needs a haircut for over an hour. Pure enjoyment.

Visitors at the Farm

This summer has been filled with people visiting our alpacas. John struggles most with the introduction of new people at Alpaca Shack. Once we have introduced him and he shakes hands, the new comers are more than welcome. Smiling broadly, he takes them to see our new cria, Sokanon and the other five alpacas.

We were honored to have a family originally from Iraq, now relocated in Michigan, come to see the alpacas. Also, our close friend, Beth, from Vermont, spent a couple of days with her two neices and her nephew.

But the most enthusiastic visitor, by far, was John's cousin from Hamlin, New York. Taylor is eleven years old, and she spent all of her time out in the pen with the animals. It was love at first sight. Eagerly grabbing the rake, she head down to the pasture to clean poop!

Having visitors helps the alpacas adjust to new people. This is especially important as we make plans to enter our yearlings in the Empire Extravaganza in Syracuse this fall. It also gives John a chance to practice his socializing skills. We see progress in all areas in both cases!