****** WindC LLAMAS ******

LLAMA STORIES AND LAUGHS

Once upon a time, not so many years ago, some llamas came into my life, and created unforseeable opportunities to learn about these gentle, curious, sometimes comical creatures. One of my first camping adventures with them taught me exactly how social they are - let me relate the LONG JOHN ROUNDUP......

Dyson was my first purchase. Not much to look at, but caught my novice heart. He had spent the previous 3 years of his life pastured with cattle, and indeed, thought he was a cow.

Buchanan, my second purchase,was chosen because of his calm, confident demeanor, great physique, and extensive packing experience - he had been leased out for 3-4 years, and was BUILT. He was also still a stud, and, at the time, I thought I might someday be interested in breeding llamas of the packer type. (That's another story).

Dyson likes to hum.....almost continually when he's in a strange environment, and camping seemed strange to him. My own sleep was sporadic all night because of his humming. Come first light, as the veils of sleep were lifting, the drone in my dream seemed much louder, and closer. When the dream faded, and I thought to peek outside, Dyson was purposefully on a beeline past the tent, and headed for the forest. With no more on than my long johns, panic and adrenaline popped into play. Knowing he hadn't had much handling, was afraid of people, and had been quite content to live out his years herding cattle, I wondered how on earth he would ever allow anyone close enough to snap a lead onto his halter......

Pyschology, (using his buddy, Buchanan), Ingenuity, (as in a very long, thrown-in-at-the-last-minute, climbing rope), and Pure Bribery (as in 4-way grain), saved the day and the need for a llama hunting party. A rope corral, strung up around trees, truck and trailer became the "trap"; Buchanan and the grain, the lure. Once Dyson realized that Buchs was being lead AWAY from him, AND was eating the prize treat, he quickly returned to camp. By ignoring him, and leading Buchanan into the "trap", Dyson walked right in. After 15 minutes or so of attempted escapes, including trying to jump over the trailer hitch, a lead was finally attached - no small feat: Dyson was very shy of hands. A huge relief, and valuable first lessons: types of snaps NOT to use; llama Social Psychology; ALWAYS carry a long rope; and make sure your long johns are INTACT. If there'd only been a video.......