I just returned from Bend, OR for Marty's two day basic clininc plus a third day to practice shearing and nail clipping and what a great time we had! Her georgous farm, wonderful animals, and terrific people that she surrounds herself with leaves you with a sense that good things are happening between humans and lamas (llamas and alpacas). Surprising things can happen when you make an attempt to focus and tune yourself into the moment. This is what Marty teaches us to do with our animals and amazing things can happen. I witnessed a beautiful moment between Marty and Pablo, a llama who did not like having his toe nails trimmed, and of course that was the chore in which he was scheduled to participate. First, Marty spent a few minutes helping him become more comfortable with leg strokes and foot holding by taking and then quickly replacing his foot on the ground. That was working well as he got more comfortable with that but what was really awe inspiring to me and showed us her refined sensitivity to Pablo was that after a little conditioning, he agreed to let her hold his leg up in a relaxed manner for about 10 -15 seconds ... then she gently placed his foot back on the ground. It may not sound like much but it was beautiful to see the kind way that she worked with him and his receptivity to it. That foot got trimmed. Then, instead of doing the rest of the feet, Pablo effectively communicated to Marty that he was tired and wanted to be done with hadling. He had enough, AND SHE LISTENED! She knew there was no reason to push him to do the reast of the feet right then. Everyone should attend a clinic with Marty - she inspires moderation and understanding while listening to her inner voice about how to communicate with these wonderful animals that includes both movement and stillness. It was the stillness that Pablo had with Marty while he was in a very vulnerable position that was one of many beautiful moments at the clinic.
Pablo after his shearing. The shearer said she never saw a llama so easy while doing his back half. Mellow the whole time.
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