How I Met Fred

I was walking back from the library this past Friday afternoon. I'd gone down to snap a picture of the building for a banner I'm crafting for the Community Library Group; and to check-out some DVDs for a Battlestar free and Maher less night.

As I drew closer to the main intersection in our small Ohio town I noticed a woman on the sidewalk, waiting on the light to change, holding a leash that arced down then back up to the neck and chin of a four-footed animal whose head was on level with hers.

The light changed for her and I quickened my pace a bit as she crossed the street some sixty yards ahead of me. She was walking slowly and I managed to reach a polite speaking distance without walking too fast, right at the entrance of the parking lot next to the old town hall.

"Could I take a picture of your Llama?" I called out amiably.

"You can take a picture of my Alpaca." She smiled cheery and genuine."

(I never got her name)

I told her I was a blogger, gave her one of my new Bill's Spirit business cards and fired up my cheesy digital camera.

She filled me with lots of great information.

"This is Fred." she said.

Fred is a registered stud muffin who was just leaving the veterinarian after having blood tests and shots to prepare him for a trip to Indiana(?) for some amorous laboring.

If you are looking up at their eyes, it's a llama. If you can look it straight in the eye it's most likely an alpaca.

Fred's real name is Bravo Mister Rogers. He lives what sounds like a wonderful life at the Soft Hearts Alpaca Farm located somewhere just outside my current burg.

Did you know that alpacas spit? Yup, they're related to camels and will spit (at you) when irritated.

Fred and I got along great. I think he realized I meant him no harm so he dropped his long neck and chewed grass while I queried the woman whose name I never got.

Alpaca fiber is an excellent alternative for people (like this writer) who are allergic to sheep's wool.

As we chatted and I snapped these pictures a woman and her children were drawn over by fascination as they exited the local bank. A few minutes after they wandered off a thirty or forty something couple came up. It was petting zoo chats on the town's greensward.

Soft Hearts Alpaca Farm enjoys taking their animals to fairs, shows and school visits.

Although I never got her name, the woman I spoke with was a cheery informer who furthered my knowledge and enriched my life.

Now, I've shared it with you.

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I was astounded at the number of Ohio alpaca farms listed on the Alpaca Nation web site. (here)

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