Why I will always write about Alpacas

We amble along as if the world is made of gumdrops. You’ll never find us living in the wild without our people and without each other. We have absolutely no defense. In fact, we don’t even have top teeth to bite. We don’t mind sharing a bathroom. We spend our days happily playing and humming in delight and wonder. People love us and give us names like Maybelline, Della, Stormirose, Peachy, Cassiel, Blaze and Bosco.

If you have not been personally introduced to the alpaca, nothing makes me happier than having the honor of sharing this truly delightful creature with you.

Here I am with a cria, baby alpaca.

The alpaca is part of the camelid family from Peru. Unlike llamas which are beasts of burden, alpacas are meant to be pampered. They play together all day and at the end of the day; love to get “tucked in” to their stalls for the night. Alpacas have a unique way of communicating through humming. Being around them when they’re excited, you’ll hear a chorus of sweet hums.

They actually share communal dung piles, which works out since their poop doesn’t stink. In fact, paca poo is a wonderful fertilizer and being that it’s left in small piles, it’s easy to collect. Many know their names and can respond to commands. Want to take your alpaca on a road trip, no problem, tell him to sit or “cush”. Hint, bring a small bag of paca poo to “create” a dung pile so your little buddy will know where to use the bathroom during a stop. It’ll save you lots of time!

Alpacas are gentle to their environment. Their padded feet don’t tear up the grass they walk on and when they eat grass, they just nibble off the top.

Many choose to invest in alpaca farms because of the tax incentives, but they soon fall in love with the animals. The alpaca fleece is hypoallergenic, water repellent, warmer than sheep’s wool but it has no barbs, so it’s not prickly. It has a hollow fiber, which gives a lightweight feel. Alpacas get haircuts once a year and the fiber is shipped off to co-ops and returned as hats, gloves, sweaters, socks, blankets, etc. To have a farm without having to harvest a field or kill an animal, just give haircuts once a year makes for such a rewarding business for the whole family to enjoy!

The view from our friend Candace's house.

I look forward to the day when I look out my window and see rolling hills with alpacas playing, exploring and lounging around. I dream of alpacas. I know it’s an unconventional dream, but it is what moves me into action. What is your dream?