The Alpacas' Arrival

The alpacas arrived Sunday evening in the pouring rain and heavy darkness. With tornado warnings in the forecast, Malcolm was happy to deliver the animals into a shelter with a barn before he headed back to Thistledown Alpacas. Luckily our houseguests were eager to get soaked and came readily to lend their hands. The girls went up easily: Malcolm off-loaded Vann & Goldie Rose on lead ropes and little Spencer trotted right along with his mama. The four boys were a little trickier. Each of us took one on a lead then headed up the steep, slippery drive toward the barn. After having been cooped up since Virginia, the animals were eager to stretch their legs and capered along as we worked to keep up. Once everyone was settled, we exchanged paperwork, got feed instructions, and sent Malcolm on his way.

Although I had begun to have second thoughts about having purchased these expensive animals (which I had been careful to do while I was teaching and had a regular income), now that they are here I feel great. These soft, gentle creatures are a handsome addition to our pastures. Plus they play with the goats readily—chasing the little animals about the pasture without causing me the alarm that a similar chase by puppy Luther stirs up.

Welcome, camelid companions!