1/15/99 UPDATE: The two boys are now entering and exiting the trailer on their own. Rather than forcing them, I simply started FEEDING them inside. They learned in 10 minutes or less, although Charly took several days to be non-panicked when Sammy would move and the trailer would make noise. I had originally thought I would use the clicker to teach them, but they learned so well on their own, the clicker may turn out to be more of a reenforcement instead. This is FUN....

1/19/99 UPDATE: Sammy learned, by clicker this past weekend, to climb the steps onto the porch. It was at his own pace, and seemed to set off a light bulb in his head. Now he's trying to do ANYthing to get that click. He's much more eager, much less afraid of my movements - you can see him THINKING. It's a wonderful experience.

Charly is still hesitant, but I'm sure he will soon be on the porch as well. And I thought HE was the confident one......

2/16/99 UPDATE: Learning about brushes lately..they aren't so bad, 'specially when there's a treat at the end. But also learned that, at 8 and 9 months, they have already outgrown their Small-size halters....some indication, perhaps, of their potential adult proportions. These babies were bred to be packers, and their sizes are going to be a great asset to that purpose. So, too, their temperaments and quick-to-learn attitudes. I am newly amazed on a daily basis.

3/12/99 UPDATE: After much soul-searching, the decision to sell most of my llamas has been made. My two girls are already pending; my good-natured stud, Buchanan, is going to be the hardest to part with; and one of the babies, Sir Charles, is also on the block. Because of not being sure exactly where I'm going to end up, or when, and not being sure whether I want to be completely out of llamas in the future, am planning on keeping Sammy and Dyson (because he would be hard to place). You know you have to have two to keep each other company. These will be boarded until I "land" somewhere. In the meantime, the idea is to do some traveling, exploring, hiking - checking out areas of the country I have yet to see - the NW, including Canada; more of the Rockies; some coastlines. And then, probably on to Vermont (home). The wind is going to be my guide for awhile - appropriately WindC.

6/1/99 UPDATE: Well, have been out of work for 6 weeks now, by choice - must say I'm enjoying the vacation. Getting lots of projects done on the property in preparation for selling - it's on the market! The next plans will gel once the place sells - in the meantime, it feels good to be working hard, instead of hardly working. (The pay could be better, admittedly, but that will come again soon enough).

The youngsters are getting big - they're a year old, and still learning. They carry a blanket, allow hands on legs (an on-going lesson), and are learning about wooden "bridges" (pallets),a way to teach about future crossings on hikes. It has been very easy to teach them new things by providing the props, and letting them learn on their own, at their own pace. Has worked very well. There's so much for them to know, and now I have the time !!!!

7/5/99 Vet visit the other day. The baby boys got their yearly vaccines, and their first toe trim - they amazed me with their tolerance. Everyday makes me more a believer in both Mallonizing at birth, and training with a clicker. They both did exceptionally well with the foot handling.

The big boys also were vaccinated and trimmed - they could take a lesson from the youngsters about their feet, but the job was accomplished

The two girls are less approachable, and one is due for another cria the first week in August. Then there will be seven.