Silver Lining

This is one of those stories with a silver lining.  About 2 weeks ago I had a coyote attack my flock .  We lost 5 ewe lambs and injured one yearling. Not the view you want to see when you are coming to check on your sheep in the morning before going to work.   It was absolutely devastating for me. We plan a whole year in advance which sheep we are going to breed.  We love and care for our sheep.  This year was especially important to me as I was there to see them give birth or just moments after. It was truly a wonderful moment in my life. So to see the hard work lay lifeless in the field, tore me to the core. 

Armed with my cell phone and numbers from a few girlfriends who have been down this road before I asked for their advice.  I got some great advice on my fencing solutions and then the options of a flock guardian came up.  Should I get a donkey, livestock guardian dog or a llama.  With my situation I felt truly only one option was feasible, I was tentative on this last option.   Time to get a llama.  I really must add one, important fact, I’ve had a fear of llamas since I was a child. I was spit at by neighborhood llamas and thought they were all cranky lot of woolly weirdness. This experience was burned into my brain so the thought of purchasing a llama would never happen.....or so I thought.   I have to admit though, now that I think about it, llamas have been inching their way into my life little by little over the past 5 or so years.  I've been invited to llama/fiber shows and other events show casing llamas and alpacas.  I also need to mention that I did have the wonderful opportunity to get to know a friends llama a couple of years ago.  She was quite different from the llamas I had met in my past.  She didn't try to spit on me nor did she seem cranky.  She appeared curious but cautious and I don't know whom was fascinated more, me or her.

 I took the advice from a girlfriend, and went to the same place she went to for her guard llama.  Rain Dance Llama Ranch.  Ken and Celia were wonderful and very accommodating.  I mentioned my hesitation of llamas and was assured that their llamas were very friendly and are used to being handled.  I entered the llama paddock at RDLR and found all the llamas to really not care that I was there, except for one.  She came right over to smell my outstretched hand and got close.  Whoa!!!! This could have been situation overload for me, but instead of being nervous, she had a calming way about her and allowed/invited me to be calm.  What a life changing experience for me.  They handed me a lead and I took this friendly llama for a walk.  It felt so natural to me.  Well maybe the picture doesn't quite show that I am calm, I was just a little taken back that Ratalja would be this friendly

 

As you can see she is very comfortable around me and we seem to have a connection.  I had found my llama.  Apparently this was not her normal behavior and I do believe this took all of us by surprise.  Charlotte met Ratalja, Ratalja met Charlotte.   

Ratalja met her new friends at my farm a week ago Sunday.  She seemed to be curious about the short legged, short necked new friends of hers.  Two of my sheep had been raised with a guard llama and they met her like a long lost friend, or maybe, they told her it was about she show up.  Who knows?!  What I do know, is that everyone is happy and getting along fabulously.  I am at ease that I now have a guardian 24/7 for my sheep.  She meets me every day at the gate to say good morning and to see if I have treats.  She is very food motivated.   She fits in well with this family!

BTW, I did get the halter off of her, but not before she decided she'd had enough of being in my very short sheep pen.  She left on her own volition.  I had to do some convincing & a little negotiating that I really did need to take that halter off.  All I can say is THANK YOU THANK YOU Rain Dance Llama Ranch for a friendly llama, named Ratalja!!  I love her dearly!!!!