Ted's Diary

written by Amen Ra (Ted) The Alpaca of Distinction

1st April; Well, here we are again. As you probably have noticed it is April Fools day – I don’t know what that means to you humans but it usually means that Other Half plays at least one trick on us alpacas here at Little Gems. 

But this year did we ever get him back!  There has been a lot of talk lately about halter training that little white whirlwind Chris – even with the cracking success of Charm’s training both BOSS and Other Half have been putting off the day that they have to face Chris and the imposing figure of his mother Betsy. 

The day started very well indeed with Charm doing her exercises, a lovely stand whilst the halter was put in place and a jaunty little stroll around the paddocks – even venturing further afield (Get it? Out into the field! I just don't know where I get my fantastic sense of humour from!).  She visited us all as we watched jealously from behind our fences. Finally she returned to the ladies, head held high, nose in the air! Sassy little miss! She will go far, I can tell you! 

Glowing with his success the Other Half went off to have his lunch, promising Chris he WILL return, and for him to be ready and willing!  Chris swivelled his big brown eyes to me as if to say "Ready and willing to do WHAT?"

Lunch break over and as the skies cloud over and the wind picks up – very atmospheric this story – the BOSS and Other Half open the gate and wait for the females and the kids to wander into the catch pen. Fat Chance! After much shaking of feed buckets and calling they all finally troop down the paddock and obligingly saunter into the catch pen – and race back out again once the halter and lead is spotted.  But due to the bottle-neck at the gateway BOSS managed stop Chris from following his mother to freedom. 

The white tornado suddenly found himself caught and having a halter put on.  This was only the second time this had happened to our little hero so we all crowded to our fences to get the best look at the proceedings.  What Chris did not know was that there was a lead attached this time and he had to WALK, not just stand there and shake.

After a few minutes of bleating and sticking his neck out like goose he stood quite still and looked around at every one and realised he was the centre of attention – AGAIN!  He jumped about a bit and wriggled, but when the catch pen gate was opened he could see the opportunity for adventure and with a little persuasion stepped through and found himself outside the paddocks for the very first time in his life!  Us older guys are quite familiar with this, but BOY, is it a bit scary the first time! – all that open space and all that GRASS and no one to eat your bit! 

Despite not being very happy about the halter, Chris could not resist the temptation of all that green stuff and began to eat and of course forgot about the halter entirely. Within minutes he was off on a gentle stroll around the big field, meeting us BIG BOYS and acting as if he had been doing this for the last few months.  No jumping, struggling or playing about.  Got it in one!  Within half an hour the little whirlwind had been tamed!  Or had he been having everyone on all the time? 

After a quick cuddle he sauntered back into his paddock, found Charm and told her all about his adventure.  Needless to say by this time it was almost dusk and no chance of a walk for Yours Truly – AGAIN.

Well tomorrow is another day! Now there’s a hero - do you think I could look like Rhett Butler?  Gone With The Wind, now THAT I could manage! This is one truly windy field this time of year.

11th April: I hope you all had a nice Easter.  No eggs for me, but I did get lots and lots of visitors. 

On Good Friday it definitely WAS a good day for Yours Truly. 
The sun shone, the birds twittered, etc., and Number 1 Fan, Jacki, came to see me with her friends, and we had a great family day at Spencer’s Field – that’s where us alpacas live. I was patted, fed and cuddled but didn’t go for a walk because Balin, Jacki’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was rather too interested in us. So we declined the offer of a stroll around the field. 

Later in the afternoon we had a visit from Rod and his fiancé Jacoba, they came all the way from Spain especially to see me (or so the BOSS said).  Other Half has been at it again with his computer and has translated my diary into Spanish so she can read it for herself – isn’t he clever?
(See translation button at bottom of page)

Yesterday was another exciting day - more visitors - and me and Barnaby got to go for a walk and have our photos taken.  Barnaby was practising for the show and I was just showing off!  We both had fun,and managed to upset Alex into the bargain – great!

The visitors, Pam and Brian, had a camcorder and recorded the whole thing.  Alex dashing about shouting at me and Barnaby, being the big Macho Alpaca and us just playing it cool, mind you we were on the other side of the fence with a field full of females in between, and Other Half to protect us!  Boy that Alex can make a lot of noise when he wants to, and does he move – Formula One Alpaca or what? 

With a bit of clever manoeuvring BOSS and Other Half managed to rearrange us in different paddocks and Alex settled down and ignored us all, even the girls – excitement over for the day. 
However he did have to have his nails cut and a big hug – poor Alex. 

Now I suppose it will be very quiet for a while – BOSS is letting her mother come down to visit, now that will be interesting.  I hope the sun keeps shining and Other Half keeps filling our water troughs – strangely every time I dig out the water it disappears into the ground and I have to wait until he comes over and refills it - mind you it is a good game in this warm weather – most of the girls love playing the game too, especially my mum, Cleo, and Boadie.  They have taught Charm to play ‘splash the water out of the trough’ really well so she can now roll in the feed bucket, then kick all the water out of the trough – great kid that!

Gives Other Half no end of work and us no end of enjoyment.