My dad and stepmom have a thing for taking in animals. They have always had a good amount of dogs (5 as of the other day), a few cats, horses (?-the amount varies...usually 4-5), and some sort of cattle (off and on). Over the last 10 years they have branched out to taking on the pot-bellied pigs (9 at the moment), which come from the pig refuge in Crossville (or Cookeville...I get the two places confused). Since last February, they have started adding to their "zoo" and have the 11 llamas now. These are also overflow from a local llama refuge I believe. Dad and Joyce love them and so do Smap and I.
Yesterday was llama shearing day at Laughalot Farm. Smap took off work early with Ippon in tow to help Dad, Joyce, and the llama refuge people shear the llamas. Dad said the llama people were amazed by Smap's natural abilities with the animals.
Smap's job was to blow out the llama's fur and then try to brush them. They were keeping the fur for weaving I think. All the llamas have names by the way. I believe the one just above is Corky. Every animal on the farm has a name except for the cattle (they are usually my uncle's). Dad and Joyce even have most of the Koi in their upper pond named. I have blogged previously about the Koi, Ippon's favorite attraction on the farm.
We don't let the dogs get around the llamas because they throw a mean kick. Sometimes I get scared around them because I have heard from my dad who has learned first hand that you don't want to get spit on by a llama. Especially if it is the worst of their THREE types of spit. I think Dad said there are several degrees of spit, and one of them is considered absolutely horrible. Luckily Smap did not get spit on yesterday, but he did say a few of them looked like they were getting ready to. He also said some of the llamas really liked getting sprayed off, brushed and sheared, but some hated it. Kind of like washing dogs I guess. Ippon is one of those dogs who will just put up with bathing. He puts up with getting washed just so he can have the towel rubbing at the end.
Smap also took several great shots of the llamas yesterday, which I will post from home at some point. My dad is always really good at emailing me shots the day after he takes them, so I can put them up as I get them. Also, my computer here at school is FAST. I will be without it for ten weeks....oh well. Guess this will be my last blog from this machine till August!
Cheers!
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