Category Archives: animals

posts about the animals

Spinner’s block

Posted on January 17, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

I swear, I’m not bipolar. I just go through these dramatic swings in interest level, commitment, and mood about spinning. At the moment, I’m not interested, committed or happy about it. I can’t even blame a “Christmas rush” like I … Continue reading →

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Farm check!

Posted on January 16, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Last week, our vet, Dr. Balch, came by for what she calls, a “Farm check!” (the explanation point is required). She looked at each of our alpacas, checking their body mass indexes, their teeth, and their toenails. I think of … Continue reading →

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Dad’s new barn cat!

Posted on January 12, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Mom is prone to adopting animals in need of homes (as you can probably tell). So when a friend who’s moving out of her ranch needed a place for her barn kitties, Mom brought home two of them, and set … Continue reading →

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Food fight!

Posted on January 9, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

As a general rule, the alpacas are mild-mannered, sweet-tempered animals. The only exception is feeding time. Can you guess which alpaca is the pushiest? Yup! It’s Brittany! And though getting caught in the crossfire between the girls is “all part … Continue reading →

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The Great Escape

Posted on January 4, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

When you have animals of any species, you seem to develop some odd sixth sense that instantly recognizes when something is out-of-place or out of the ordinary. I imagine it’s much like the eyes in the back of Mom’s head, invisible, … Continue reading →

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Housekeeping (blogkeeping?) and tax assessor

Posted on December 21, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

I hate to disrupt your regularly scheduled alpaca antics, but I have a few housekeeping notes. I’m headed down to the ranch tomorrow and I’ll be there through January 2nd. During this time, posts may be somewhat erratic. It’s not … Continue reading →

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Bravado is not a good sharer

Posted on December 19, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

Little Bravado, our smallest alpaca and our only suri (it’s a breed of alpaca), is a man after my own heart. He’s a bit of a worry wart, always on the watch for trouble, and he is not good at … Continue reading →

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Predator and prey dynamics

Posted on December 15, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

The relationships between horses and their riders, as well as alpacas and their owners, are fraught with misunderstandings. Although the cowboy view of the horses tended to be a bit less introspective, the “schools of natural horsemanship” that have recently … Continue reading →

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Alpaca bio: Merlin

Posted on December 13, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

Now, if you know our family even a little, you’re thinking “Of course they have an alpaca named Merlin. They’re practically witches/wizards themselves.” Funny thing is, Merlin (or Merly, as he is sometimes called) came to us with his name, … Continue reading →

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Filling a holiday order

Posted on December 8, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

I finally get to use this bright blue roving I bought awhile ago! It’s one of my favorite rovings to date, and it should look brilliant spun into Archie. I’m thinking “Ice, Ice Baby” as a name. I woke up in … Continue reading →

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