If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you might remember I wrote an entry back in April, titled "Alpacas, Goats, and Bunnies, Oh My!" after visiting September Morning Alpacas during the Washington County Fiber Tour. It was love at first sight for me and the alpacas who reside here and I was immediately smitten by these fluffy balls of wool. Like most of you, I'd never been face-to-face with an alpaca before and boy, have I been missin' out! Ever since that visit, Dominick Giglio. farm owner and host extraordinaire, has been extending invitations for us to come back and today, finally, we did!
Alpacas are extremely social animals. They come when they are called and are not shy when it comes to nose-to-nose contact. Now maybe not all alpacas are this friendly, but the alpacas at September Morning Farm are so social and cuddly, I could have easily taken one (or more) home to snuggle with. When we were in the barn - they were in the barn. When we went outside, they went outside. One of them, Fancy, even laid down next to me, which afforded her my undivided attention and lots of lovin'. I'm pretty sure she knew I was powerless under her spell. ;) Alpacas are gentle and love to be petted and scratched. Those of you who follow me, know I have some very dear llama friends also. Trust me when I say that these two animals are perhaps the sweetest breeds I've ever known. You cannot be around them without feeling happy!
September Morning Alpacas has been in business for about five years and is the home to 14 alpacas, as well as chickens and three cats. Their newest feline addition, Topaz, helped Dominick with host duties today. It was a riot watching the alpacas playfully chase her out of their territory several times. Like most kittens, she was not phased nor discouraged by their less than welcoming hospitality towards her nor the fact that she was barely bigger than their hooves and continued to roam around them, and us! Since the alpacas normally like the other cats on the farm, I'm sure when Topaz looks more like a 'big cat', she'll be more welcome too!
Alpacas are raised for their fiber and it's no wonder! Even though these animals were sheared in May, they already have a deep, thick coat that is so soft, you want to bury yourself under it. Just last weekend September Morning Alpacas won several ribbons in the fleece competition at the Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival, including the Grand Champion ribbon for Kid Galahad! Although their fiber may be a source of income helping to fund their "keep", I believe the real reason people raise them (and llamas) is their charming personalities and their ability to make one smile. There is no way you can look into the eyes of one of these creatures, nuzzle their cheek or have them come nose to nose with you without feeling all your troubles melt away.
Editor's note: Alpacas love posing for "close-ups" and in fact, prefer them. And why wouldn't they? Aren't they just gorgeous? Do you not want to just pull them in for a big smooch?
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