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Remembering Letta the Llama

10/28/2018

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Letta passed away this October 2018. We got her on Halloween 2010. If she was 13 as it was thought, then she lived to be 21. She was very sweet and a little shy.  She was once used for roping/lasso practice which was not good for her trust in people but she bounced back and became a trusted trekking llama.  Letta was gentle and a good llama for tentative or very young people to walk with.
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What was your favorite trek?

3/16/2018

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I was asked while on a trek today with some clients, "What was your favorite trek?" This was a good question that got me thinking what is it that I love about trekking with llamas? I did not come back with a location, or who was my favorite llama or even about the time I saw wildlife in Yellowstone on a llama trek. What I realized is that it always has to do with the company that I have along with me. When I get the family that really has a good time and appreciates what the llamas do for them, that is my favorite trek. And luckily, that happens a lot. it is rare to have a llama adventure that does not include people who are thrilled about the llamas. That is why I don't advertise very much. I am not interested in taking folks on a trek who are just wanting something to do - they have to be intentional about wanting to see llamas. Then everyone has a great time. 
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 Dogs and Llamas: The truth about what can go wrong

3/19/2017

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Llamas are domestic and require our support to keep and maintain their safety. I have placed several llamas with new homes and always evaluate the home on several points, including a safe environment. This is a warning that you can lose your llamas to a hidden danger that is difficult to ascertain. Don’t let your dogs run with your llamas - and if you see roaming dogs in your neighborhood, call animal control – they could kill your llama herd. I recently got a call from one of my llama adopters about this tragic event. This is a tragic story that I will share to hopefully prevent more killings.

My adopter had been given a llama who she named Tina. She fell in love with Tina and recognized that Tina needed companionship and called me about 4 months later to adopt one or more llamas. There was a neighbor to Tina who had an in-tact male who once or twice had come to visit, having gotten out of his pen (which males will try to do, if possible). They did not breed since I believe Tina spit him off and he was returned to the owner in time before any breeding could happen. My adopter was not interested in breeding – just companionship for Tina.

After my inspections and satisfaction that this was a good home, last April, I brought three llamas over to live with Tina. It was a great match as Tina right away started to follow the other three around and bond with them. They got along great. I checked on the llama herd 2 or 3 times and all was well.

I got the call two weeks ago that stunned me. Among the tears and pain, I learned that the family of three llamas were killed by roaming dogs (in fact they were significantly fed upon). The pictures were gruesome and hard for me to believe so much damage was done without anyone hearing any of it. Tina was alive but so badly injured I ultimately had to have her euthanized at the veterinarians and drive her to the crematorium for disposal. It was very emotional and difficult still as I am typing this.
Four llamas had lived together for about a year on one acre with the house on site, a good family of 5 also raising chickens and two small dogs (who were not part of the crime). The dogs that did this were very savage and yet where likely someone’s family pets in the area. I became worried for the safety of small children in the area and the other llama in the neighborhood. A report was filed with Animal Control who were provided pictures and descriptions - a witness seeing a Rottweiler with a German Shephard. The German Shephard was caught on a security camera and was wearing a collar – no tags. Animal Control set traps and caught the Shephard who was euthanized. Other dogs are being trapped and I am not sure of their fate. What can behave like a well-tempered family pet can all maim and kill animals as large as llamas. The neighbor is sure his male llama is mean and will be fine – I hope so, but I worry that if all the dogs are not caught, his will be next.

this issue is now a high priority when placing llamas and I am sending his out as a warning to all those who have llamas. If there are roaming dogs (even one dog has been known to bring down a llama) that is an indicator of a safety issue. Dogs come in many varieties: size, temperament, training, etc. However, what I have just witnessed makes me very concerned about having dogs able to get inside of a llama enclosure. The friendly and obedient dog that is a family pet can turn into a vicious killer when triggered. The pictures of the aftermath are too gruesome to publish.

I am also a dog lover and have two of my own that are of the herding type. I don’t allow them to enter my llama areas and have chainlink fencing. This is why barbed wire is not sufficient. Given the loose dog culture around the rural areas of New Mexico, this is a tough problem. We need everyone to be vigilant and to spread the word that loose dogs are unacceptable. 
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The Rescues Continue...

5/3/2016

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Lupe (male) from Albuquerque rescued Sept 2013 to MT to work as a pack llama in Yellowstone National Park
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Johnny and Ralph (geldings) moved from Corrales, NM to the Western Slopes of Colorado in Sept 2013
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Susie moved from Corrales, NM to Western Slopes of CO Sept 2013
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Luke, December 2015, intact male, very gentle, undernourished.
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15 year old gelded male taken in to Llamas del Sol May 2016.
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Butch moved from abusive, neglected home to new caring home in summer of 2014.
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Adopted by Lilly and Kojo.
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Lucy (felmale) from Corrales, NM moved to Buffalo, MO in Aug 2013 with her close friend Emma
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Sonny (gelded) moved from Corrales, NM to the Western Slopes of Colorado Sept 2013
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Molly and Dolly (females) moved from South Valley, Albuquerque to Mountain Home, TX June 2014
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Survivor of a dog attack in Estancia, NM - intact male, young and spunky, rescued in summer of 2016. Rescued by Kirsten and Daniel and named Yendo
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15 year old gelded male, easy to halter and walk. Terrell has always lived with Lorraine. Adopted by Lily and Kojo.
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Adopted by Eric and Michelle.
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21 year old female re-homed March 2016.
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21 year old Pedro re-homed in March 2016. Gelded male.
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Gracie is the mom - black llama and is 13 years old (as of 2017). Her daughter Summer is 10 years old and about 6' 6" tall!
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Emma (female) moved from Corrales, NM to Buffalo, MO with Lucy in Aug 2013
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Sasha (female) moved from Corrales, NM to Western Slopes of CO Sept 2013
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2015 non-breeding female (Karmon Lorraine) about 15 years old with gelded male (Terrell). Gave some halter training.
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Thumper (male) from Ojo Caliente, NM moved with Sheryl somewhere Nov 2013
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Como and Navigator adopted by Eric and Michelle.
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21 year old female re-homed March 2016.
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21 year old gelded male re-homed March 2016.
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15 year old Male (as of 2018). he has a little cloud in his left eye. Very gentile and pretty. He was never named by his prior owners so in called Noname, for now.
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Carlos and Sambra came in June 2018nfrom Ft. Collins CO after their owner died. They were hand feed and very friendly
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Sambra was a challenge for his owner as a bi of a bully. Now he is with other males.
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October 2018 Gelded and ready for adoption. A sweet boy who can wear a halter and lead.
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July 2018: Three females from Denkai Rescue from cruelty seizure never sheared in their lives.
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Sept 29, 2018 28 animals including a donkey and a sheep rescued from Jefferson, CO off of hundreds of acres. These wild llamas were a huge challenge for the crew of 7 people. We need to get the remaining 7 llamas.
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August 2018: Laguna male llama tied to a trailer and not able to lay down, drink, or eat. About 4 years old
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Sheared and trimmed and ready for adoption these are estimated to be 7, 10, and 16 ish years old. Very sweet llamas
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Able to corral 28 of the 36 animals (26 llamas) about 1/2 male and 1/2 female going to our male and female sanctuaries.
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Six llamas from the Jefferson CO llama rescue came to Llamas del Sol November 2018 and were all sheared, trained, and re-homed. The last two rehomed September 2019. Everyone went to great homes! Adoptions were 1. Mister in the N. Valley, ABQ, 2. Nina (Winkin), Orphina (Blinkin), Godiva (Nod) in Kanab UT, 3. Ringo (Larry) and George (Tony) in East Mountains, ABQ
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Tina intake Sept 7 from Jal, NM. Maybe 5-10 years old. Adopted and learning how to lead and pack!
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Llama Rescue: the First Four

5/1/2016

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The tiny corral Daisy and Dalai were living in.
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A young Daisy in 2010.
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Dalai right after her professional shearing in 2013.
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Suki after her professional shearing in 2013.
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Letta trekking with Suki behind in the Sandia Mountains

Its been a long time since I had some time to write about all my llama adventures. I am now going to log all the llama rescues and re-homes here.

​My very first llama rescue was how I got started in being a llama caretaker. Daisy and Dalai were my first rescue from my home town Gardner, Colorado. I knew nothing about llamas then and learned much later that they were about 18 months old. It was February 14, 2009 when I picked them up and a great Valentines gift! I found out these llamas were born in Gardner on a farm owned by Lynnette and Jessie Klienschmidt in July 2007 and the dams and sires came from Florissant, CO - a heard of hundreds of llamas (!) Dalai came from a dam named September who died but she was the protector of the herd. (That matches Dalai's personality and the protector). There was no mention of Daisy's lineage but they were born at the same time.

​My intent was to foster care for these llamas and find them homes. In learning about llamas and working with Daisy and Dalai, I completely fell in love. They are in their forever home with us.

​My second llama rescue was the llama I call Suki. Her name was Aspen when I got her. She was born in Pueblo, CO May 2004 and her Sire is Graham and her Dam is Vaska both residing at 40th Lane. In Suki's case, she was living with a lot of other animals and economic times pushed the owners to try to find a home for her. I brought Suki home on July 4th 2010 - another Holiday! Suki recognized Dalai as a leader and although Suki is larger than Dalai, she looks to Dalai for protection. Suki seems to be jealous of the relationship Daisy has with Dalai and often pushes Daisy around by trying to intimidate her and spit at her.

My third rescue was my forth female llama; named Isleta. Now we call her Letta. Her story was that she was used for roping/lasso practice somewhere in the South Valley outside Albuquerque. she had also belonged to Lynn Kaufman who was rumored to have ILR papers for her. I never met Lynn or saw the papers but the guess was that Letta was 13 years old when I got her on Oct 30, 2010 (happy Halloween!). She  had been previously rescued by some nice folks in Corrales, NM (Tom, Dale, and Rachel Taylor) not far from where I live. they were alpaca people and were looking for a home for Letta. A common friend (Jasmine Tritten) told me she was very pretty and sweet and really needed a home and I had better take her in! So, I picked her up, brought her home, and she quickly re-built trust in people.

​Until 2016, these were the only llamas that I kept. The next post begins the rest of the rescues that I found homes for.
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Gifts from our Customers

6/6/2014

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From Tara and Mike while on their trip through Peru
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Art by Tara and Mike Dunham during their visit to our little farm.
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Art by Lisa and Rob McKenzie during the vist to our little farm.
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Alameda Studio Art Tour 2013

11/6/2013

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This year the Alameda Studio Art tour was a good time for us at Llamas del Sol. Hester Balsam (goat print t-shirts), Cecilia McRoberts (painting and tiles), and myself (llama fiber art) shared space and our weekend with each other and welcomed folks to see our work and visit us. Here is a short video that was taken from the tour of various art pieces and activities. Look for the llamas at Llamas del Sol! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3557148064428

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11 Mile Llama Rescue

11/6/2013

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​Thanks to the cooperative effort of volunteers, law enforcement, Parks and Wildlife, and the State of Colorado, 22 llamas were successfully rescued from starvation and neglect and have been moved to pre-screened homes to receive veterinary attention and care. 
It began with an email requesting help from the County Sheriff’s Office to F.E. Baxter, Co-Founder/Treasurer of Southwest Llama Rescue (SWLR), on October 3. A follow-up call came to me from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Protection Lead Investigator/Coordinator on Thursday October 6. The investigator asked if SWLR could assist with a case where they were serving a warrant and seizing llamas. The estimate was 20 llamas that needed a place to go. Without hesitation, I said, “yes, definitely. I don’t yet know where we will put them, but we will figure it out.” But they weren’t just looking for a commitment, they were ready to go that Sunday, October 9th – the date for the warrant to be served. This was a short notice emergency!
​Having a small network in Colorado was lucky and imperative. Robin Benton is my go-to, so I was relieved that she was available. Also, Eric Gustafson, another SWLR volunteer, was quick to take a personal day from his demanding work schedule to help these llamas in need. Between the three of us (and our companions), we could load 20 llamas into our three trailers. I called Ingrid Thompson for a location to temporarily house the llamas. I had met her at another llama roundup earlier this summer. Ingrid and
Duane Snader of Cloverleaf Farms West (CFW) agreed without hesitation to take the llamas temporarily. The had some space that we could separate males from females; so, I was so relieved that they volunteered to help us. None of us could have taken in these many llamas! Frank, my husband, was also recruited. He came mainly to keep me in check and to assist with some heavy panel lifting and setup for the llama roundup and his creative, calm, and thoughtful perspective is always a great benefit in the sometimes-chaotic atmosphere of a wild llama rescue.
​Frank and I headed up to Colorado on Friday to stay in Pueblo and prepare for the event. All this was happening while I was coordinating a llama adoption process long distance in Grand Junction. Alexis Knight who with Kathleen Knight has been fostering and training two male llamas covered for me and did a wonderful job finding a candidate, reviewing facilities, and assisting with the overall adoption and successful transfer. Danielle Yahn, the new owner, is also now another potential volunteer in Grand Junction.
The field team met 0900 Sunday in the parking lot at 11 Mile office for a briefing. We heard about the owner’s property who was being served – he was not home, gratefully, so there was no confrontation. On the team were State, County, and Park officers. Some were armed for the situation. We all signed a sheet as participants with our contact information. Eric also brought his daughter Lena and her friend Michaela who were very helpful.
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Over 20 llamas roaming on many acres is a very difficult rescue situation.
The day before, the wonderful Park Officer rounded up five of the roaming llamas penned them at the 11 Mile Park office. There were other llamas at large, around the property as far as a mile away, to go look for. The Colorado State Animal Control had a plan to split up the team: the state and county officers were going to the property to serve the warrant and take evidence for the investigation, and SWLR was to go with the 11 Mile Park officer, find a place to put our panels up, and capture the llamas that were roaming off the property. One of the males had advanced aberrant behavior syndrome (ABS) (aka novice handler syndrome) and was labeled as Aggressive Llama in the photos we got from animal control. It was said that he was certainly bottle fed. The 11 Mile Park officer had a long history with him and named him Carl after the popular and violent llama in the cartoon., ‘Llamas with Hats’. The issues with this llama herd have gone on for 10 years. Carl was known to chase park goers, knock them down (I saw a video) and not let fishermen out of the water. He was known to put his head in the window of cars and bite people. He was a serious threat to the public and the plan was to dispatch him, sadly. We had no one who could take Carl – he was not borderline, he was advanced ABS, the result of hand feeding or coddling llamas and not enforcing personal space. He was the first llama that we saw when we followed the Park officer and the game warden into the hills.
​We were off-roading with our trailers about a mile from the property. With binoculars, we also saw a small herd of about 5 llamas about 100 yards away from Carl. The llamas were scattered over more than a mile of open land, with access to hundreds of acres of open space. Most private fencing in the area is relatively low barbed wire, easy for many llamas to jump. We were challenged by the enormous size of the landscape for this roundup effort. The other llamas in the vicinity came running to Carl (a surprise to to some but llamas are bonded and curious). The officer got out hay and tried to set up panels while the llamas were eating in hopes of containing them for us. The females were almost penned with the two officers using a rope for herding them when a male llama was approaching and stepped on a strand of barbed wire. He panicked and ran, wrapping the barbed wire even more around him. All these llamas then ran, giving rope burn to our park officer.

The llamas were scattered over more than a mile of open land, with access to hundreds of acres of  open space. Most private fencing in the area is relatively low barbed wire, easy for many llamas to jump. We were challenged by the enormous size of the landscape for this roundup effort. 
From a mile away, we saw the scared llamas through binoculars approaching the property cautiously where their herd mates were being loaded up.  In the meantime, the animal control officers posting the warrant, could be seen with binoculars by us, loading up the llamas that were on the property into their large stock trailer. We could see loose llamas all around in open spaces outside the property and three of them were crias. We waited about an hour –after they had the first 10 llamas loaded when we heard over their radio communications, they were ready for help. There were also three goats living with the llamas that were loaded up in the cattle trailer with the llamas.
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Carl had Aberrant Behavior Syndrome: caused by the people who raised him.
The opening of the property is where the officers had staged their trucks and trailer so when the loose llamas approached, they did not want to enter. it's always a challenge when multiple agencies and people are trying to organize an effort to catch animals without time for more pre-planning, and an agreement on who will lead the effort. Everyone sincerely wants to help but there were multiple authorities, and the plan came together as it evolved. State Animal Control had 10 panels 5.5 ft. high and 12 foot long and had them set up except one side being 4-strand wire fencing that we needed to re-enforce with my panels to prevent escape. Two large males kept trying to come in but with human bodies everywhere, and us trying to set up the panels by the entry to completely enclose their corral, it was chaos. Two adult males and an adolescent male were finally corralled. One of these males was aggressive and would charge and rear up. He did not scream or spit but clicked a lot at the crew. I called him borderline ABS.
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A mother and cria (two of five) rounded up and secured in a pen before we arrived.
​I made a comment that the llama people should load these guys which was not meant to insult anyone, but tensions seemed to mount even more, then. The adolescent male then jumped through the fencing back out on the road but we managed to get him back in the property to corral him more securely. We loaded the two males into Eric’s trailer, including Cowboy, the borderline ABS male. The rounding up of the three month-old crias, another adolescent male, and another adult male was stressful as we were on about 10 acres and parts of the fencing was compromised where they could get out, if pressured. Four or five of us tried to do it, but the crias or the other two would squeeze out. I brought out 500 feet of herding tape and finally all nine or so crew worked together to slowly herd the llamas into our large corral. It was a good feeling with everyone working together, for the most part. With everyone’s patience thinning, we did get the five remaining llamas into my trailer successfully. Only two large males, one with barbed wired around him, who I call Tangled, were outside and too spooked to collect. 
​We got the three crias in who were separated from their mothers that were loaded into the officer’s cattle trailer.   We traveled back to the 11 Mile office to get the five llamas waiting there into Robin’s trailer. It was about this time that I heard that there were 18 deceased llamas on that owner’s property where we just were. This was stunning and sad news that would go into the investigative report about the neglect and cruelty of this case. We were grateful that SWLR was to take the 22 live llamas in their trailers to CFW. An attempt to do some musical trailers from the cattle trailer to Eric’s trailer was not successful. Our State Animal Control Officer generously agreed to drive their cattle trailer to CFW with the 10 llamas (minus the three goats). Then we loaded the 5 waiting llamas at the office juggling them a bit to separate a male into Eric’s trailer from the two more mothers with older crias going with Robin.
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Arriving at CFW, Ingrid and Duane had about an acre of fenced and cross fenced area that we unloaded four trailers of llamas into. Hay and water was enjoyed and the reunion of the crias and mothers was a joy to watch. They were all recuperating and enjoying loving care for two weeks while we received the release form from animal control so we could adopt them to good homes. Ingrid and Duane adopted a mother-cria pair and another three were adopted by a close neighbor. The remaining eleven females and crias were transported to our SWLR sanctuary in Kerrville, TX with F.E. Baxter. Of the remaining llamas, there are 6 males; and Cowboy, is already spoken for. Other than many of the llamas being very thin, some needing shearing, and intestinal parasites. We were very lucky to get them when we did. The remaining two are out there and need to be rescued before winter comes. Two failed attempts, but we are still going to keep trying.
The cost, time, equipment and other resources like feed that went into this rescue was provided by volunteers. We rely on volunteers and donations to make a difference in the lives of these creatures often saving them from starvation as in this case. To contribute to Southwest Llama Rescue to continue our efforts, donations can be made by going to www.southwestllamarescue.org.
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More Room for the Llamas - and Right Outside our House!

2/13/2012

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This is the padock is only a short block away from our house and helps everyone get a little walking into their day. We planted this grass in this leased one-acre field last Spring and the picure is just before we harvested the hay for the winter.  I have to admit that I can't really tell one type of grass from another except for the orchard grass which stands out in color and shape.  The brome and the fescue - if they both germinated - should both be there as the primary crops.  I can tell there are other types that came through that look like Buffalo or Rice grass.  I thought it would be easier to tell the type of grass but even with lots of research, there are so many variations, I am not able to discriminate for certain.  I would welcome anyone interested to see what we have given I planted over 10 varieties.
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Here are the girls looking for some action during the fall of 2011.  This picture right before our Cameldynamics Clinic that we hosted in this field.  This beautiful gate was donated by the owner of the field and we had the top welded to extend it one more foot to a five foot height.

Anyway, to get to the title of this blog, I am very excited to share that we have just leased another 1.5 acres for our llamas to stretch out in.  I have been eyeing the field right next door for a long time.  With the fantastic view of the entire field from my house (I can watch the llama activity right from my kitchen window = ) while doing the dishes) I am in heaven!  We plan on adding some grass in a portion of the field and perhaps add more and more in sections for grazing. Right now it is mostly dirt with some interesting tree stumps. The field has irrigation and is next to our well so water is no problem - which is a great benefit for New Mexico property. 

Once established, that will be the llama picnic area - right outside our yard. The timing of this addition is perfect as the other 1 acre field that we lease needs a break from the action.  Our four llamas did a nice job of mowing down (and fertilizing) all the grass we planted last spring and we hope it will come back even thicker now.  

With some time and attention, we hope this new field will look like the first 1 acre field that we planted. With this new space, getting some more animals may be irrestistable - if they are of the camelid species. We may even consider agisting.  We now have 2.5 acres of pure field under lease andthe option to lease another acre, if needed. 

A huge thank you to all the fine neighbors we have in the North Valley in the Villiage of Alameda who support my llama infatuation.  Everyone is encouraging and seems to enjoy the addition to the neighborhood.  I always get friendly remarks and questions when seen walking down our neighborhood streets with a llama on the leash.
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New field right next door
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New gate provided by our landlord :)
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new posts to fence in the new field
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Small padock to start growing grass in
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Adobe and Roses Bed and Breakfast

11/18/2011

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If you are looking for the best place to stay in our neighborhood, Adobe and Roses B&B is less than a 1/4 mile walk away on the lovely North Valley Acequia from our ranch.  Dorothy is a fantastic host and has a beautiful property.  For more information go to http://www.adobeandroses.com/. The address is 1011 Ortega Road NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87114 (505) 898-0654. (note: Adobe and Roses is booked for the Camelidynamics Clinic)
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    Author

    Lynda Liptak is the founder of Llamas del Sol and is dedicated to sharing the awesomeness of llamas.  She has only owned llamas since February 2009 but it has been a very in-depth involvement. Lynda and her family have four wonderful trekking llamas with very different personalities.  Lynda has been studying camelid dynamics since the start of her llama adventures and is an active member of Marty McGee's Camelidynamics Forum. She has completed the Basics Clinic (three times!)  to include the shearing course, medication administering,  and has hosted the Camelidynamics Basic training at the Llamas del Sol ranch. She is a past ski-instructor certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America and an Emergency Medical Technician - Basic.  She is also holds a masters degree in operations research from the Colorado School of Mines and works part time at Applied Research Associates, inc. as a scientist.

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