Shearing Day

Yesterday was our first shearing since getting the girls. With all this warm weather I bet the girls couldn't wait to get their coats off. We prepared the paddock the night before and crossed our fingers the weather would hold. For shearing you do not want wet alpacas. (I did consider doing my rain dance in reverse, but didn't get time!)

The weather stayed fine and Colin the shearer came over early evening. After getting over the shock of how many steps up it was to our paddock, he soon gone on with the task ahead - shearing, nail trimming, teeth cutting, injecting vaccines and drenching for worms. The girls had a full MOT. Camilla's rear toe nails were very long and slightly curly - white nails grow faster than black. Suzy's teeth were extra long, it appears she still has one baby tooth. Alice was an angel considering she has never been shorn before. Sophie - escaped being done this year - but watched on in interest. They look so tiny and bare afterwards.

For those who have not seen an alpaca shorn before it is quite a site. The legs have to be hooked up either end and a weighted pillow is used to keep the alpacas down. If they cannot lift their necks, they cannot swing to get up. Each one is sheared in less than 10 minutes. Camilla is suffering badly from mites which we are treating her for and also needs to put on more weight.

Sunday we are going over to our breeder friend's near Mullacott to see Colin shear one of our males Oscar.

Teaching dogs to do a rain dance.

Why, oh why, does it never rain when you want it to? Over a week ago we fenced off half the alpaca paddock and scattered fertilizer to help the grass because they forecast rain. Since then not a drop. We cannot let the alpacas back on to the land until we have had a decent bit of rain. We have tried manually watering it, which is not as good and also extremely exhausting due to the steepness of our land. Even been considering doing a rain dance. If I could teach the dogs to join in, perhaps it would be more effective. I did considering asking the cats to help, but Casper seems to be on a permanent hunt and Mini-me just won't budge off the sofa. As for the fish they would be great at learning a rain dance, but would forget it as quickly as they learn it!

Still no baby alpaca to report on... keep your eyes posted here on Cria Watch

Back in Sunny Devon

After a flying visit to Oxford to see family and a long business meeting with our web designer, I am back in sunny Devon. Dogs and cats were pleased to see me. Rushed up to see Camilla our pregnant alpaca who is looking very big, but no news on the baby cria yet! My mum is planning a visit later in the week, so we have told Camilla to cross her legs until then as she does not want to miss it.

Still a scorcher of a day here, dogs are totally flaked out, won't walk them until it cools down. If only they could take their coats on and off.

It is Puppy Gurus dog class for me tonight, Tracey has suggested that we do the advanced class outside if it stays nice. I love the long summer evenings, better than training inside.