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What Do You Do With A Llama?? That's the first question people ask - or maybe right after the "don't they spit?" question. I hope some of the writings and photos here will help you understand why so many of us have fallen for llamas. Llamas are very entertaining just being themselves, their interactions with each other, pronking in the pasture on late afternoons, or playing "king of the hill" in comical face-offs. There is just so much you can say about llamas that makes them so endearing to people. But no matter how much is said, you won't truly understand their magic until you spend time with them.
Before my husband Jack's brain injury, he used to enjoy the llamas too. In the photos linked here he's shown with Haili, who's since passed on, but the two of them seemed to have had a special link. If he ignored her, she peeked over his shoulder as if to say, "Don't you want to kiss me?" and she pouted if he pet Chelle or the the other llamas. As he brushed her, Haili asked Jack if she's beautiful yet, and he always told her yes. Then it's time for more grooming and her back massage. So it's true, real men hug llamas. Llama uses include:
Packing and hiking companions. Their strength and
agility along with their padded feet (much easier on the terrain) make them
the perfect packing partner. (See Llama Adventures.) Fiber production. For
those interested in "back to basics" crafts, their wool can be used
for spinning, felting, locker hooking etc. for making clothing or even
Christmas tree ornaments. You don't need much fiber
for your own personal use. Cart pulling. There are reputable clinics and tapes available for teaching your llama to pull a cart. Below you see Rocky Road, who lives with the Spencers in Corsicana taking a walk down their drive. He was a big hit in the Christmas parade.
The Show Ring. Llamas
are gaining acceptance at increasingly more fairs
and stock shows. Just visit the next llama show you hear about and fall in love
with their grace and beauty. Guardian Llamas I know around Texas that it's the lone coyote or fox that will decimate the sheep herd and certain llamas could help that situation as long as the sheep or goat owner is responsible with their sheep. Llamas are so curious that they check out any intruders and have a natural distrust of the canine family. Not all llamas are meant to be guardians. The best candidates are geldings or a non-breeding female. Intact males should NEVER be used as they cannot be trusted with their female charges. A llama's disposition and personality are key to their success as a guardian. Many think that you can stick any untrained llama in with the sheep and use as a guardian, but that's just not true. The llama will still need basic care, summer shearing, worming etc. and need to be easily haltered and led. There are other web sites that go into selection of guardian llamas with more detail. For information on what llamas cannot be expected to guard against look here. Since I have mentioned a gelding as a good candidate, let me also say that a llama should be over one year old before gelding, There may exist a possibility of problems later on if gelded too early. Also, don't expect a gelding or female to be able to guard until they are closer to two years old. Another good site to read about llama guardians is here. A general review of all types of guardian animals can be found here. Some sources for guardian llamas in Texas can be found here. Stories About Llamas We've Sold
Ken continued with, "We waited for the weather to cool before we made that visit. There are several very nice patios at the home and the residents came out to visit with Misty and Boots. Lexie went with me and gave out treats for the residents to give to the animals. You should have seen the eyes and smiles of some of those people. Misty and Boots were very well behaved and I think they enjoyed it too. The director told me as we left that our visit took the place of a lot of visits to the Doctor. He told me a week or so later that the residents were still talking about the Llamas. We will do this again in the Spring. We also have a very nice retreat facility here. It's a private facility that specializes in Church Retreats in the country. The local Baptist young families were having a weekend get together and they asked me to come out. Again we all had a good time. I want to continue to do these things. I would like to dress these guys up a little. They both are great pets. Boots has behaved himself both with me and Momma. We are having a great time. The guys are doing well and I really enjoy tending to their needs."
I headed right to
Lucky's stall upon arriving at the llama show on Friday and I couldn't
believe my eyes. My little darling was gorgeous. And I met Harold, his
trainer. I think he is 14 and very proud of his llama. He and Lucky were
entered in 2 youth obstacle classes that were very large, one with 15 llamas
and the other with about 22. They took 5th place and 4th respectively. We
were ecstatic! But the highlight of the show for me was the juvenile medium
wool halter class. This was not the youth halter, but the regular show class.
Lucky was by far (IMHO) the classiest and best conformed llama out there, he
looked so graceful and fluid (do I sound like a proud llama grandma yet?).
And Harold showed him flawlessly! I guess the judge thought so too, because
he placed them first without any hesitation. My friend and I were up in the
stands crying like idiots and after it was over we both rushed over to Harold
and gave him a big hug. I don't know what Harold thought about two crazed
women mauling him, but he took it with a smile. Later he sought me out and
gave me another hug and said "Thank you so much for letting us have
Lucky". Lucky would do anything for Harold, you could tell they were
real buddies. So that was the absolute highlight of my first show, and I
wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I still get teary every time I
think about it! Here's a photo of Lucky, Harold and
me. What do
you do with a llama - "Get a big laugh from them!" Christmas Parade 2000
I take a couple of
llamas to parades in the late fall for Christmas. In the fall of 1999, I let
two young friends of mine ages 8 and 12 lead the llamas. That was a highlight
of their Christmas. We all had a good time and enjoyed mingling with the
crowds. Helen, my youthful volunteer from the '99 parade, again wanted to
lead a llama in the 2000 Christmas parade. This is Helen with Sarai. She
loves the animals and fun of leading them and watching the excitement in the
faces of other children along the route.
We've also been to the annual "Barn to Yarn" and the Founder's Day events that occur here in Fredericksburg in the Spring. The crowds always love visiting with the llamas, including one baby that the parents sat on the back of my sweet Chelle.
Founder's Day 2000 was
a grand success. The weather was wonderful and we had lots of visitors who
wanted to touch the llamas and ask questions. The children always went to see
1 month old Sarai, who was on her first
outing with her mom. I think she got hundreds of hugs and even tolerated
being petted on the top of the head and nose. Shortcake, her mom, didn't mind
and loved all the treats. The organizer of the affair told me he'd like us to
come every year since the llamas were such a big hit. We also were asked by a
local shop owner to appear at a Christmas affair he's having after
Thanksgiving. Here is Sarai at the
Christmas Parade in 2001. Any type of critter,
from sheep to chickens and horses to cats, can hurt you if you don't learn
how to properly handle and train them. It's the exception, not the rule. And
nothing is as magical as a llama. Oh, you'll need at least two, they like a
companion. Well, as the song says, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Feel free to email or call me if you'd like to "talk llamas".
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