I'm Adopted!

 

I'm adopted, just in time for the holidays, and I'm planning on spending lots of time with my new owner, Mary Marsten.  My name is Gunston and I'm thrilled to receive the special attention that keeps coming my way.  My new owner comes to visit me regularly and, as she brings treats in her pockets, I'm always glad to see her.

I even dressed up so I could be the star in a couple of newspaper adverts that are being published locally in Frederick.  If you missed my debut, ask to see copies when you drop by my farm and Shoppe.


I thought some other readers might be interested in knowing what attracts a person into adopting an Alpaca, and Mary was very kind and willing to answer my questions.

What made you decide to buy an alpaca?

I knew the first time I saw the alpacas that I would want to have one (or more) in my life...their cute faces and gentle demeanor drew me to them right away. I don't knit so really was looking for a pet-quality alpaca with a sweet temperament. It was just a matter of finding the right one...it didn't take long!

What was it about Me that attracted you?

You caught my attention on one of my earlier visits to the farm.  You're the one that comes right up to the gate to greet visitors, is friendly with the right mix of curiosity and caution - I didn't really care what your fiber quality or color was...it was really your personality that I am drawn to. 

                                                       Do you have land or a farm to take me to?

I do have enough land but am not currently set up to house you...plus I would need at least two so you wouldn't be alone. Since I'm only 3 miles away from the barn I board you there and come out as often as I can to work with you - halter training and earning your trust.



Do you have long term plans of where I will be staying?

I am currently living in, and restoring, an older home.  When the time is right I will look at what it would take to bring you (and at least one more) to my house -you're happy with your buddies at the barn and it's easy and inexpensive for me so we'll see....

How many alpacas can you see in your future?

 

I see A LOT of alpacas in my future but don't plan on owning all of them. I know I will adopt at least one more since I plan on taking you for walks outside of the pasture areas.   Having a buddy with you has already proven to be a plus when working with you inside the barn and pasture areas.

                               

                               What do you intend to do with my fiber when I'm shorn?

I will have your fiber processed but will wait until Sugarloaf Alpaca Company opens their spinning mill. I hope to learn more about the process and if all goes well I'll be able to sell the fiber. I'm still learning so much about alpaca ownership and Nancy, Kevin, Delaney, Parker, Carson AND YOU are all getting me trained - you and they are great mentors!

Meet Zanzabar

All is quiet on the farm this week so we'll take the opportunity to spotlight some of our alpacas while we have the chance.  As the holiday shopping gets underway, our alpacas are enjoying the increased traffic to the farm and are very inquisitive each time a visitor stops by to say hello.  Of course, the complimentary baggie of alpaca food provides some of the interest!  They are loving the cold weather and can be seen sunbathing in the weak rays of a winter sun.

Zanzabar is one of our more social alpacas and, in fact, enjoys having his ears rubbed and his back scratched.  Most alpacas don't like having their heads touched but Zanzabar doesn't seem to mind. Born on the 6th May last year, everyone's favorite alpaca is classified as a "Juvie" at 18 months old.  His Dam, Glacial Storms Opal of Sugarloaf, is known for producing super sweet cria who grow up keeping their friendly personalities. 

To show his submissiveness to anyone approaching him, Zanzabar will lift his tail - quite dramatically.  If you didn't know him, you would think he may be timid or people shy but, in fact, the exact opposite is true.  Getting a photo of Zanzabar is quite a challange becuase he sticks his nose on the camera lens at every opportunity.  Although he is full grown, he is not yet mature, so he is kept seperate from the big boys with the other Juvies.  However, he is usually one of the alpacas that goes on off farm adventures, so watch our website for when our alpacas are out and about and take the opportunity to meet this super friendly young animal.

Brrr - Great Weather to be an Alpaca!

Somebody is really enjoying these cold winter mornings - and it's only the beginning of November!  Promises to be a cold one this year but, dressed in their snazzy winter coats, even the babies are loving being out in the pasture for most of the day.

While it stays below 50º our babies will be wearing their coats, to make sure they stay warm enough as the temperatures drop.  Their baby fleece is so fine that, although they could survive much colder conditions, we like to give them a healthier and more gentle start on life.

This week, we can also be found at the MMMF International Arts and Crafts Fair being held at World Bank in DC on November 6th, 7th and 8th.  15% of all vendors sales go to providing educational grants for women in developing countries. So not only will you be able to take advantage of finding unique gifts, you will be helping women in need while you shop.  It is held in the World Bank main building, easily accessible for vendors and customers!

Do come and say hello if you stop by.  For more information, Click Here.

Maxwell and Zanzabar's Alpaca Day Out!

We're so excited. My pen mate - Zanzabar - and I are off to Leesburg this weekend to spend time with all the visitors going to  Lucketts Store and Design House Holiday Open House.

We're expecting to meet many new people and Zanzabar and I will be all spruced up and on our best behaviour so newcomers can feel our soft fleece and experience how friendly we are.

Lucketts Store and Design House Holiday Open House is an annual tradition to kick off the holiday season.  We will be there Friday November 2nd til Sunday November 4th from 9am until 5pm all three days

We are expecting to see lots of unusual gift ideas as well as the many new people we have yet to meet.  We will be bringing along some of our alpaca giftables for those who would prefer to shop closer to home or who have been unable to get out to our farm.  

So drop by and pay us a visit if you can.  We'd love to see you.  If you'd like more information on directions and such, click here, and you will be directed to Luckett's Website where they have more information about their event.

We look forward to seeing you there

Maxwell and Zanzabar

Britney's Boy is Growing Up!

Thanks to Christy Osowski, my name is Cusco.  I think it suits me!

Cusco is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range.  Located in the Southern Sierras, Cusco is a fascinating city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. 

 

Happily, even though I'm growing up and will enjoy having my own name instead of being known as Britney's Boy, I still get to stay with my mom (Britney) and all the other moms in the barn.  I am now eating solid foods but still get most of my nutrition from nursing. 

 

We are loving the cool fall weather and enjoy spending most of our days out in the pasture.  The grass tastes particularly good at this time of year it seems and we want to make the most of it before it gets covered with snow! 

 First there was One......

 

And then there were Two!                                        



Born at 7.30am on Thursday October 11th, our new baby obviously takes after her Dam, Black Pearle as she is chocolate brown.  Although, color wise, she is nothing like her Sire, Charmer, who is white, her super soft fleece looks like it has been passed down from her dad. 

Always inquisitive, Pearle's baby actually followed me to the back of the hay barn, just to see what I was doing.  Pearle made sure she was not far behind and is keeping a careful watch on her baby.

Both babies wear jackets during the cold autumn evenings but enjoy playing in their pasture during the day.  They enjoy company when visitors come to the farm and the shoppe and we hope you'll come see them. 

I Have A Name!

My name is Yuki, courtesy of Mary Marston who named me.  This fine sounding name suits my personality down to the ground and I am very pleased with its sound.  Yuki means "snow" in Japanese which is doubly appropriate due to the whiteness and density of my fleece.  My Dam is Tre'J and my Sire is Charmer so a regal sounding name was needed to fit my fine features.

My pen mates are a little jealous as they don't have names yet, except for Cinna, but I'm sure that will soon change.  We spend our days playing in the pasture and visitors can see us running up and down the field, sometimes playing tag and other times just enjoying the grass beneath our hooves and the sun on our backs.

 

 

I'm going to be having a new pen mate soon - should be arriving any day now and I'm excited to discover if it's a girl or a boy.  Black Pearl is due very soon and it's always fun when we get a new face in the barn.