ALSA Showring Fall 2013

“For people who love llamas, alpacas and the thrill of owning them”

Magazine of the Alpaca and Llama Show AssociationFall 2013

Sopris Unlimited

16th AnnualALSA Grand National

“New Beginning”2013

The views expressed herein are those of the authors. Before undertaking any new regime with your llamas, you should always consult with your veterinarian. Only they can tell you what

is best for your situation. We invite submission for unpaid articles and photographs. Email to [email protected] or mail to: Ruby Herron, c/o Showring Magazine,17102 Mueschke Rd., Cypress,Tx., 77433

A publication of the Alpaca & Llama Show Association

www.ALSA.orgALSA BODPresident: Ken Forster•701-724-3059 • [email protected] President: Jim Doyle • 940-488-3163 • [email protected]: Kitty Tuck-Hampel•478-972-0808 • [email protected]: Patricia Wattigney (non- board member) • 504-394-3817 • [email protected] Leslie•830 • 401-0819 [email protected] Lewellyn • 303-870-7341 • [email protected] Poillion • 321-689-3902 • [email protected] COMMITTEE: Susan Leslie, Liaison-BOD • 830-401-0819 •[email protected] Sullivan, Chair ,OH • 440-965-7057• [email protected] Ernst,MI • 517-861-9328 • [email protected] Yeagle,OH 8• 419-665-2697• [email protected] COMMITTEE:Ken Forster, Liaison-BOD-701-724-3059 • [email protected] Baird, Chair ,HI • 808-883-1887 • [email protected] Adamcyk,CO • 303-621-9021 • [email protected] Dunn,CO • 303-277-1129 • [email protected] COMMITTEE:Jim Doyle, Liaison,BOD, 940-488-3163 • [email protected] Schwartz, Chair, TX • 307-672-5144 • [email protected] Adams,CA • 530-273-8931 • [email protected] Knuckles ,CO, • 970-487-0223 • [email protected] COMMITTEE:Larry Lewellyn, Liaison, BOD • 720-733-2775 • [email protected] Ruckman, Chair,OH •740-393-2309 •[email protected] Ernst,MI • 517-861-9328 • [email protected] Smithers,OH •937-585-5161 • [email protected] Rutledge,NE • 402-366-9304 • [email protected] Morgan,CO • 620-442-4996 • [email protected] Milton,OR • 541-899-8097 • [email protected] & Budget Committee:Larry Lewellyn, Liaison BOD • 720-733-2775 • [email protected] Wattigney,LA • 504-394-3817 • [email protected] [email protected] National Committee:Ken Forster, Liaison BOD • 701-724-3059 • [email protected] Doyle, Chair - TX - 940-391-1862 - [email protected] Tuck-Hampel - GA - 478-972-0808 - [email protected] Poillion - FL - 321-689-3902 - [email protected] Lewellyn - CO - 720-733-2775 - [email protected] Leslie-TX - 830-401-0819 [email protected] Wattigney - LA - 504-394-3817 - [email protected] Juntilla - CO - 970-640-8028 - [email protected] Turell - TX - 713-249-3893 - [email protected] Committee:Larry Lewellyn, Liaison BOD • 720-733-2775 • [email protected] Saska-Agnew,TX Chair • 817-866-3585 • [email protected] Herron,TX • 281-351-1820 • [email protected]’s Committee:Ken Forster, Liaison BOD • 701-724-3059 • [email protected] Harris, Chair ,CO • 719-275-9457 • [email protected] Henry - TX - 903-784-8257 - [email protected] Morgan,KS • 620-442-4996 • [email protected] Yeagle,OH • 419-665-2697 • [email protected] Sullivan,OH • 440-965-7057 • [email protected] Baker - CA - 951-685-6773 - [email protected]

Membership Committee:Susan Leslie, Liaison-BOD • 830-401-0819 •[email protected] Devaul - GA - 229-431-0738 - [email protected] Committee:Charles Poillion, Liaison BOD • 321-689-3902 • [email protected] Committee:Kitty Tuck-Hampel, Liason BOD • 478-972-0808 • [email protected] Ditsler, Chair,CA • 951-897-2783 • [email protected] Nichols,CA • 916-686-7086 • [email protected] Goldsmith,NV • 775-782-4242 • [email protected] Katzakian, CA • 530-676-5544 • [email protected] Royal,TX • 325-245-5752 • [email protected] McMurray, MO • 573-698-2141 • [email protected] Harris,MO • 719-275-9457 • [email protected] Price,TX • 281-351-1820 • [email protected] & Planning Committee:Ken Forster, Liaison BOD • 701-724-3059 • [email protected] Harris, Chair, CO • 719-275-9457 • [email protected] Batt, NY • 585-737-8142 • [email protected] Weaver, FL • 727-856-3582 • [email protected] Crawford, CA • 209-632-6891 • [email protected] & Marketing CommitteeCharles Poillion, Liaison.BOD • 321-689-3902 • [email protected] Committee:Jim Doyle, Liaison,BOD, 940-488-3163 • [email protected] Henry, Chair,TX • 903-784-8257 • [email protected] Wattigney,LA • 504-394-3817 • [email protected] Crawford, CA • 209-632-6891 • [email protected] Adams, CA • 530-273-8931 • [email protected] Milton, OR • 541-899-8097 • [email protected] Harris, CO • 719-275-9457 • [email protected] Schwartz, WY • 307-672-5144 • [email protected] Committee:Larry Lewellyn, Liaison, BOD • 720-733-2775 • [email protected] Herron, Chair, TX • 281-351-1820 • [email protected] Committee:Kitty Tuck-Hampel, Liason BOD • 478-972-0808 • [email protected] Juntilla, Chair,CO • 970-640-8028 • [email protected] Thomas.OK • 918-521-0766 • [email protected] Harris, CO • 719-275-9457 • [email protected] Pedroni, CA • 510-385-2902 • [email protected] Management Committee:Kitty Tuck-Hampel, Liason BOD • 478-972-0808 • [email protected], Chair Jill Knuckles,CO • 970-487-0223 • [email protected] Committee:Jim Doyle, Liaison,BOD, 940-488-3163 • [email protected] Herron, Chair,TX • 281-351-1820 • [email protected] Hoopegardner, IN • 317-498-0422 • [email protected] Committee:Susan Leslie, Liaison BOD •TX • 830-401-0819 • [email protected] Haubold, NY • 631-680-6721 • [email protected] Collins, TX • 325-486-8195 • [email protected] Reese, TX • 830-401-0819 • [email protected] Kutzler, OR • 541-740-1434 • [email protected] Koenig, OR • 541-752-5434 • [email protected] Scholarship Sub-Committee:Sally Rucker, CO • 719-689-9010 • [email protected] EDITOR/DESIGN/LAYOUTRuby Herron - 17102 Mueschke Rd., Cypress, TX 77433713-249-8523 • [email protected]

4 Showring Magazine Fall 2013

Letter From The EditorWhen I started working on the first Showring Magazine, I got

a lot of negative feedback. • One complaint was that people wanted something that

would help unite the llama community but they did not think the Showring was the answer. The feeling was that no one would participate and it would not catch on.

• The other complaint was that it was not in a printed for-mat and people just would not read a virtual publication.

In a perfect world , I would prefer to have both a printed Showring and a virtual Showring, but economically with the way the economy is, that is not possible.

The good news is that the virtual Showring Magazine has been a big success and the readings are up 75% from the initial edition of the virtual Showring last year. I also want to mention that the summer edition has been viewed 3,362 times as of this date.

I am very grateful for all the articles, pictures and suggestions that you all have sent in. Special thanks to Corky Dubois for the great cover shot. I believe that the llamas give so much to us and I think it is up to us to secure their future. Give yourselves a big pat on the back.

I hope everyone will attend a regional show in your area and help support ALSA and of course I hope that you all will attend the Grand Nationals to compete with the best of the be

Your friend,

Ruby

Fall 2013 Contents

EDITOR’S NOTE...............................................................4

OFFICE TALk...................................................................5

NOW THERE ARE SIx.....................................................6

ALL AMERICAN YOuTH JAMBOREE...........................8

WILSON COuNTY 4 - H...............................................12

FIGMENT RANCH CLICk TWO HOuSTON..............14

NEW LLAMA/ALpACA VET BOOk.............................17

GIANT LIVER FLukES..................................................18

WHAT DO YOu DO WITH A LLAMA.........................22

I AM MY SISTERS’ kEEpER...........................................23

THE SAGA OF “50” SHADES OF GRAY........................25

JOES’ LLAMA WISH.......................................................27

CLASSIC STYLE WORkING LLAMAS..........................28

Hunter Snow

5

Office TalkI was reminded yesterday about a conversation I had with an ALSA member on January 8, 2012. This was 8 days after I came into the ALSA office. To think back about all of the conversations that I have

had with the numerous ALSA members and the non-ALSA members is very humbling. I have learned so much, but of course I know that there are always hills to climb and conquer! Thank you all for working with me and being patient with me!

I am seeing so many positive steps towards our llamas and alpacas. I would attribute a lot of this to the communication that we have with our members and our friends that love llamas and alpacas. Our total shows for the year of 2012 have exceeded the number of shows we had for 2011. We have been sending out information and reminders for these shows to increase atten-dance! And it has worked! Remember, if any of you superintendents wish for your ALSA sanctioned show to be email blasted out, please let me know. This is done FREE-OF-CHARGE. We will also put something in the Showring Magazine about your show FREE-OF-CHARGE! I also wanted to make sure you know that if you are an ALSA member, and if you would like to sug-gest something to send out to the masses, please call me. (An example of this would be a play day, clinic, etc.)

We also have an increase in membership this year, too! Now, I’m not saying this is you, BUT, there are many people that do not think about renewing their membership until a show, so therefore we still receive renewals daily......... even now in September. It is important to renew your ALSA membership on January 1 so you will be sure to receive all the important information that is sent by ALSA to you about upcoming shows, clinics, voting opportunities, etc.!

So – let’s talk about the 2013 ALSA Grand National Show this year that is coming up next month. As you all should know by now, the 2013 ALSA Grand National Show is being held in Shawnee Oklahoma on Oct. 24-27, 2013. I know many of you are qualified to come, so I hope to see you there. If you are not qualified yet, please attend a Regional Show in your area to get qualified! You know, even if you are not qualified, we’d still love to see you. Come and join us in Shawnee Oklahoma for the fun and fel-lowship! There are lots of give a ways, an awesome dinner provided by the Wattigneys, a sub-junior class that is FREE to enter and more! There is a lot more information for the Grand National and the hotel info. on the ALSA website under the Grand National Show tab here http://www.alsashow.net/national.html . If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at 281-516-1442.

Another piece of information I have heard is that there are some people that would like to attend the 2013 ALSA Grand National Show but need a travel buddy. If any of you are looking for another person in your area, and are wondering if they are coming, maybe I know. Or better yet, ask your friends!

Alright guys, please know I am here to help! Talk to you soon. Robin


Now There Are Six! The Regional Championship Committee isthrilledtobeabletoprovideALSA

memberswithsixRegionalChampionshipshowsthisyear,whichisdoublethenumberofshowsfromlastyear.Thisispossiblebecausesomewonderfulpeoplehavesteppedupand

volunteeredtoserveasRegionalSuperintendentsandalsobecauseofthesupportoftheALSABoardofDirectorsandALSAoffice. Sopleasemarkyourcalendarsandplantoattend

theRegionalChampionshipshowclosesttoyou.Inchronologicalordertheyare:

August 31 & September 1, 2013 (Labor Day weekend)

The Rocky Mountain Regional Championship

willbeheldinconjunctionwiththeLOCCFallShowattheDouglasCountyFairgroundsinCastleRock,Colorado.TheSuperintendentisBarbHarrisandthejudgewillbeMaryanBaker.

September 14, 2013 - NEW THIS YEAR

The Midwest Regional Championship

willbeheldatthePorterCountyExpoCenterinValparaiso,IN.ThislocationwaspickedtobeaccessibleforALSAmembersintheGreatLakes,BuckeyeandEasternRegions,sowe

decidedtocallittheMidwestChampionshipratherthannameitforanyoneregion.BobLaMortehasvolunteeredtoserveassuperintendentandthejudgeswillbeWallyBakerfor

halterandperformanceandMikeHaumschildforperformance.Wearereallyexcitedaboutthisshow,asitisagreatexampleofthinkingoutsidetheboxforthebenefitoftheexhibitors.

September 20 & 21, 2013

The Central Regional Championship

willbeheldinconjunctionwiththeOklahomaStateFairinOklahomaCity.ThishasbeenawinningcombinationinthepastwithPennyThomasassuperintendentandwearesureit

willbeagreateventforexhibitorsagainthisyear.ThejudgethisyearisBillSchultz.

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October 5 & 6, 2013 - IT'S BACK!

The Northwestern Regional Championship

will be held at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Corvallis, Oregon. Sean Kutzler has volunteered to be the superintendent and the judge will be Mary Jo Miller. It has been a

couple of years since the Northwestern Region has had its own Championship and we hope everyone in that part of the country will take advantage of this opportunity.

October 5 & 6, 2013 After a brief hiatus the

Southwestern Regional Championship

is returning to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California and will be heldin conjunction with the Llamas of the Wine Country Harvest Celebration Show. This sounds

like it will be a really fun weekend, with two llama shows, good friends, good food, and maybe even some wine tasting if you are so inclined. Joy Pedroni is the superintendent and

the judge will be John McDougall.

October 12 & 13, 2013 To quote Charlie Daniels - "The South's gonna do it again!"

The Southeastern Regional Championship

will be held in conjunction with the Georgia National Llama Show. The Southeastern has always been one of the best-attended Regional Championships and we are really happy that it is back this year. Kathy Devaul and Cheryl Lambert have volunteered to serve as

co-superintendents and Bill Feick will be the judge.

We cannot thank the Regional Superintendents enough for making these shows possible and hope that everyone will support their efforts by attending a Regional

Championship. Please remember that all Regional Championships are double point shows, you can attend as many as you want with no pre-qualifying, and all Grand and Reserve

Championship placings count towards ALSA Champion titles.


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On August 11th 2013, Wilson County Texas

Wilson County 4H members were recognized at their

annual Achievement Night Banquet. 87 youth participated in this event.

Two of these youth were members of the Wilson

County 4H llama project, managed by

Susan Leslie.

Tanner White received a second place and Zoe Rutledge received a third place score in their Llama Project Record books.

Kytheranialynn Fambrough Brown, and Job Keith were recognized for their achievements in their project record books as well. They are also members of the Wilson Co. Llama 4H group.

The evening’s events did not end there. Wilson County also recognizes “Friends of 4H” at this awards night. These are people from the community that give of their time and

talents and expect nothing in return. This year, Mr Bill Feick, the youth call him Mr. Bill, was nominated for this award, and was presented a plaque for everything he does for the youth, not just in Wilson County, but anywhere he is needed to teach, judge and help these youth. Congratulations to Bill, Wilson County’s Friends of 4H awards recipient.

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LLovin LLamason H inton H ill

Reggi Durch953 FM 2081

Yantis, Texas 75494903-458-2203

[email protected]

“Llama Laff Out Loud”LLOL


15

http://www.click2houston.com/news/figment-ranch-in-cypress-home-to-more-than-60-llamas/-/1735978/21173330/-/ntu8x1z/-/index.html


I am reposting this comment I made about an article in the NY Times, because I got a message asking me to put it in my Time Line.

Amazing that this article came out. I have been reflecting on why those of us who love llamas are so fiercely loyal to them and prefer them to all other animals.

Whenaskedwhat do you do with a llama?Wetendtoanswerwiththetypicalhyperac-tiveAmericanstaybusyatallcostsanswers;pack,usethewool,usethemforsentinelguardanimals,usethemforcartanimals,etc.etc.etc.

Thetruthofthematteristhatmanypeopledon’tUSEtheminapracticalsensebutcan’timaginealifewithoutthem.Why?Myansweristhattheyarerare,exoticandbeautifulandinfinitelyfascinating.

Gazingatthemastheyserenelygoabouttheirlivesisdeeplysatisfying.Theycommunicatethoroughlywiththeirbodylanguage,theyareintuitivewheninteractingwithpeopleandespeciallywithchildren,theelderlyandpeoplewithhandicaps,theycanbeextremelylazyandthenonawhimcomicalandjoyfulastheydanceacrossthefieldprongingandbucking,theybabysiteachother’scriasandtheirpeckingorderisaworkofsocialskillsart.

Gazing,contemplatingandbeingtotallypresentarestatesthatareoftendifficultforpeopletoachieveinthesefastpastmoderntimesandllamastransportustherepainlessly.Theyaretherapeuticforthatreason.BeatstheheckoutofProzac.Thefactthattheyareeasytocareforandareavoidanceanimalsratherthanconfrontationalmakesthemsafertohandlethanmostlargeanimals.Theyaresensibleandforgivingofourhumanfoiblesandthatinandofitselfprovidesalifelesson.

Afterover25yearsofraisingllamas,Icontinuetolearnfromthem,findtheminfinitelyfascinatingandfindthatIcansitandwatchthemandlosetrackoftimeandstress,beatstheheckoutofTV.Ithinkthereshouldbeallamaineveryyard.Ifpeoplerealizedhowtheyareeasyontheland,don’tsmellanddowellinsomanyenvironmentscovenantsmightbechangedtomakethisapossibility.Untilthattime,besuretovisitalocalllamafarmandenjoytheshow.Youwillbegladyoudid.

Sally Verner German Rucker

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New Llama/Alpaca Veterinary Procedures Book Available

Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas David E. Anderson, Meredyth L. Jones, Matt D. Miesner ISBN: 978-0-8138-1987-7 Paperback 360 pages May 2013, Wiley-Blackwell US $79.99 from Wiley or Quality Llama Products (http://www.llamaproducts.com)

Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas provides a step-by-step guide to performing procedures in llamas and alpacas. Organized by body system, the book presents concise, visually oriented

information to enable clinicians to treat these animals with confidence. With coverage ranging from basic maintenance such as restraint and catheterization to more

complex procedures such as minimally invasive surgery, Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas de-scribes the full range of techniques required for the medical management of these species.

Each procedure is described in detail, with a consistent format for ease of use and accompanying photographs to illustrate the concepts described. A companion website offers videos of many of the procedures discussed in the book. Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas is an essential resource for any veterinarian or techni-cal staff member treating South American camelid patients.

Hallmark Features•Presents a complete, well-illustrated patient-side manual for veterinary techniques in llamas and alpacas•Offers authoritative guidance on how to perform varying procedures, based on the authors’ wide range of expe-

rience•Covers techniques ranging from basic to advanced•Provides color photographs throughout to depict specific steps•Aids veterinarians and technicians in confidently performing veterinary techniques in these species•Includes a companion website offering videos of many of the procedures described at http://www.wiley.com/

go/andersonveterinary

For Table of Contents and additional information, see:http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0813819873,descCd-description.html

Fascioloides magna which is also known as giant liver fluke, large American liver fluke

or deer fluke is commonly found in wild and domestic ruminants in North America and Europe. It is a flatworm of the class Trema-toda distributed worldwide able to infect mammals including humans. Mature flukes measure 30 to 100 mm in length ×15 to 30 mm in width, it has the shape of a flatted oval leaf with an oral sucker at the anterior end. (Mulvey, et al., 1994; Foreyt and Todd, 1977; Foreyt and Todd, 1978

The life cycle of this hepatic parasite is slightly complex. The adult resides in the liver of the definitive host, the white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This mature para-site releases eggs which are later released through the bile ducts into the intestine and finally leave the host through the feces. A significant stage of the parasites called embryonation occurs outside the hosts in the environment after which, in water and swamps, this parasite attaches to the inter-mediate host which are freshwater snails from family Lymnaeidae. In the snail the parasite completes another stage in which it becomes a mature cercarie which will

actively swim in water for up to two hours before encysting on vegetation in which the fluke will be called metacercariae (infec-tive larvae, or young flukes, which are quite resistant to the elements) . The definitive host (in this case the llama) ingests veg-etation containing the metacercariae. The juvenile flukes which emerged from the cyst

in the stomach and intestine of the host into the liver where they get a fibrous capsule is formed around them. In the capsule, the parasite completes its development and starts egg-laying. The adult F. magna can survive in the liver of the host up to 7 years (Nguyen, 2011; Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 2010)

A 12 year old female llama presented 3 weeks ago because of leth- argy and anorexia. The physical exam was normal although blood work revealed liver and kidney failure. No parasitic eggs were seen microscopically on feces. On ultrasound large amount of free abdominal fluid was seen and a sample was taken and analyzed. Cytology revealed it was transudate fluid due to inflam-mation probably of the liver.

Fascioloides magna in llamas (giant liver fluke)

19

The llama was treated with supportive treat-ment and antibiotics although liver values were increasing daily. Humane euthanasia was elected and a detailed necropsy was performed.

Findings were consistent with an experiment performed in 1990 where an adult castrated llama was inoculated orally with F. magna metacercariae. No clinical signs were seen before the llama was euthanized. At nec-ropsy serosanguinous fluid was present in the peritoneal cavity with adhesions form the diaphragm to the liver. The liver had yellow caseous material with black fluke tracts lined with fibrous tissue. No parasite eggs were recovered in feces. Blood work in this llama was unremarkable other than (GGT) was slightly elevated 55IU/L and SDH 9.6IU/L.

Fasciolasis in cattle and sheep is very common especially in areas where snails are found. . In the mentioned study, 2 sheep were inocu-lated with the same amount of liver flukes than the llama and 22 mature parasites were found in this ruminants liver compared to 5 in the llama. No eggs were found in the feces supporting the theory that llamas are dead-end hosts as cattle and moose there-fore this animals are not capable to spread the parasite (Conboy, G.A., Stromberg, B.E., 1991)

The control of liver flukes is not easy due to the difficulty in controlling the intermediate host. A way to prevent infestation in llamas is by controlling grazing of the animals on snail-infested areas, especially those occu-pied by infected deer. One way to treat the snail-infested pastures is with copper sulfate but control is almost impossible to maintain. Hay that has been harvested in enzootic areas should not be given to the livestock

animals. In a wildlife refuge in Texas Tricla-bendazole was given to the deer in corn bait resulting in the prevalence of liver flukes being significantly lower (Michigan Depart-ment of Natural Resources, 2010).

There is small amount of information pub-lished about Fasciolasis in camelids which may suggest that F. magna is not a serious pathogen in llamas. Clinical signs are not always present although it is not rare to find individuals in which the liver damage is so extensive euthanasia may need to be elect-ed. As earlier described, this parasite can survive in the liver of the host up to 7 years therefore transportation of the animals from one place to another is important ; (Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 2010; Mulvey, et al., 1991). Management and control of the pastures essential and a good deworming program in each farm should be developed to decrease the number of lla-mas infected.

Bibliography:• Conboy, G.A., Stromberg, B.E., 1991. Hematology and clinical

pathology of experimental Fascioloides magna infection in cattle and guinea pigs. Veterinary Parasitology 40, 241–255.

• Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 2010. "Deer Liver Fluke" (On-line). Michigan Department of Natural Resources:

Wildlife Disease) • Mulvey, M., J. Aho, C. Lydeard, P. Leberg, M. Smith. 1991. Com-

parative population genetic structure of a parasite (Fascioloides magna) and its definitive host. Evolution, 45 (7): 1628-1640.

• Mulvey, M., J. Aho, O. Rhodes, Jr.. 1994. Parasitism and white-tailed deer: Timing and components of female reproduction.

Oikos, 70 (2): 177-182)• Foreyt, W., W. Samuel, A. Todd. 1977. Fascioloides magna in

white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): Observations on the pairing tendency. The Journal of Parasitology, 63 (6): 1050-1052.

• Nguyen, S. 2011. "Fascioloides magna" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 08, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.

ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Fascioloides_magna/)


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23


2012 ALSA HANDBOOK

17th EDITION

ALPACA & LLAMASHOW ASSOCIATION, INC.

Amendments have been made to the 2012 ALSA Handbook 17th edition.

To See The Amendments Click On Link

http://www.alsashow.net/handbook.html

25

The Saga of “50 Shades of Gray” Cathie Kindler

Monday, September 2,2013 started out like any other day at the farm. I had just returned from the Heart of Dixie Show at 3:00 AM which made for a short night. I made a stop down at the barn before I headed out to clean cabins to check on the llamas. As I walked into the barn, I was greeted by a new cria. FH Misty Black had decided to have her baby about 2 weeks early. So, I did what I have done with most of the crias born here. I weighed the baby, 20 pounds, iodine the navel, and put mom and baby up in a stall with some feed and hay. We don’t usually do anything else but watch and let nature take its course. After a few minutes, baby got up and nursed and all was well with the world. So, off I went to clean cabins. I returned home that evening to find mom and baby doing well. I fed the other girls, spent some time watching my new baby and then went to bed.The next morning I weighed the baby and found she had gained 2 pounds. I thought, yippee, mom has lots of milk. Baby ran around the barn for a little, then I put her back with mom and went to work. When I returned home, I noticed that baby was a little restless. As I fed the other girls, I noticed that she got up and down several times. She would nurse, but not very long, and something seemed off. I decided to give her an enema, just in case she hadn’t passed all of her merconium. That seemed to do the trick, but baby still seemed out of sorts. I went to the house to eat supper and when I returned, things had gone from bad to worse. The baby was now getting up and then throwing her-self on the mat, lay for several moments, and then would do it again. She was humming, mom was humming, and after watching her do this 6-8 times, I was worried. I had never seen a baby do this before. So, what to do? I called a llama friend and she had never seen this before either. So, now I was stumped. I knew my vet was unavailable and the emergency vet in the area was not very llama knowl-edgeable. It was 11:00 PM. So, I decided to post my dilemma on the llama Marketing page on Facebook. Thankfully, there were lots of llama people online and all had something to add. But, the post that rang the bell for me was a post by Pam Clark. She was worried about the 2 pound weight gain and thought that the baby might still be stopped up. Off to the barn I went to give another enema. The enema did its job but by now the baby was very weak and still seemed uncomfortable. I decided to let her rest for a little and set my alarm for 2:00 AM. When the alarm went off, I just hoped that I wouldn’t find a dead baby. Imagine my surprise when I found mom and baby cushed together and resting comfort-ably. By morning, baby was back to normal and while she did not gain any weight that time, she gained 2 pounds the next day and has gained at least a poundevery day since. The enemas did the trick and I learned from my vet that you can give multiple enemas if need be without any adverse consequences.After over 100 births, I have learned something new but hope I never have to see this again. 50 Shades of Gray continues to do well and I look forward to showing her when she is old enough to show.


Photo

Moments

27

Joes’ Llama WishWe received a call one summer day from a woman that very concerned about her husband Joe. He was in a nursing home suffering from Parkinson Disease. He had broken his leg and he was very depressed. She said he had almost given up on life but he talked non-stop about seeing llamas again. (It seems that he was retired from the oil business and had spent a lot of time with llamas while in South America.)

Joe’s wife asked if we could bring a llama out to see Joe in the nursing home. We told her that it was a little too hot to transport llamas right now but when it cooled off we would try to set up a visit.

But Joe’s wife was so concerned about his health that she asked if she could arrange to bring Joe to the ranch now.

Well.............. Never under estimate the determination of a loving wife.

In a few days, Joe showed up in an ambulance, nurse and all.

It was very hard to push Joe around in a wheel chair. But we had an idea. We managed to pick Joe up put him in our golf cart; then off we went to see the llamas.

When Joe first arrived he was very quiet but after he was surrounded by the llamas he was smiling and was a little chatter box. We spent a couple of hours going all over the ranch while he had endless stories and questions about llamas.

This turned out to be a great day for Joe and it was a


29

Reprinted from The American Livestock Magazine


James Mobley and Codyat West Texas Fair visiting with a

group of school kids

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Eagle Llama Cart & Harness -

$800.00 plus shipping.

Will bring to Grand Nationals

[email protected]

713-249-8523 or 713-249-3893

Antique Cradle Picker -

$500.00 plus shipping.

Will bring to Grand Nationals

[email protected]

713-249-8523 or 713-249-3893

Meet Cody “Dakota” AverySpecial needs youth who competed in the Heart of Dixie show.

Cody is 12 years of age and suffers from friedreich ataxia. He has been a member of the Jackson County,

GA 4-H Love of Llamas Program for 3 years. This was his first show and he said he never thought showing llamas could be such fun!

A special thanks to Kim Kyst 4H leader, Patti Morgan judge, Nancy Miller Borg show superintendent, and Kurt Pihera obstacles for making

this such a positive experience for Cody!

Place Your Ad Here


ALSA Youth, Abigail Kreutner, is on the right with her ribbon and plate and still

dressed in her Harry Potter themed costume from the alpaca costume show. She was the overall grand champion for Floyd County 4H. Also pictured with her

are her cousins and members of the same club, Hannah Bailey in the middle and

Kendall Lanham on the left.

Ben Howard, Belinda Snow, Hunter Snow, Tammy Moody, Kylaun Snow, and Cathie Kindler walking with their llamas in the Ellijay 4th of July parade. In spite of the rain, we had a blast!

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REMINDER!!SouthWest Regional Championships

Oct 5 & 6, 2013Santa Rosa Fairgrounds

Entry forms can be emailed to Joy at [email protected] or snail mailed to Joy Pedroni

3966 Estate DriveVacaville, CA 95688

Credit card payments can be made through the ALSA office. Just call Robin!

GET YOUR SOUVENIR T-SHIRTSPRE-ORDER YOUR T-SHIRTS NOW. THERE WON’T BE A LARGE STOCK AVAILABLE

“Vintage Circus”

Design by Margaret DrewT-Shirt Prices are $15.00

Margaret is donating $3.00 of each shirt sold to LANA !!

As a special treat, Margaret has designed a second shirt:

“Sneaking In”

These cannot be preordered. There will be a limited number available at the show. First come first served!

GET YOUR ENTRIES IN NOW. DEADLINE TO BE IN THE

PROGRAM IS SEPTEMBER 27, 2013.

We’re going crazy on this show! Don’t miss out!

Llama Association of North America3966 Estate DriveVacaville, CA 95688www.lanainfo.org


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ALSA 2012 Youth High Point Top 10


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Lets Here It For The ALSA Youth !

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ALSA Board and Officers

Susan LeslieLaVernia, TX


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The Showring Magazine will be a quarterly on line publication.

Issue PublIcatIonDate Spring March Summer June Fall September Winter December

For layout specifications and design please contact the editor:Ruby Herron713-249-8523

[email protected] Showring editor and the ALSA Board of Directors reserve the right to refuse any ad.

Quarter Page Ad Size3.5” width X 4.75” height4.75” width X 3.5” heightIndividual Ad Size

3.5” width X 2” height

Members $10.00 per quarterNon Members $20.00 per quarter

Individual Ad Size2” width X 3.75” height

Members $10.00 per quarter

Non Members $20.00per quarter

Members $25.00 per quarterNon Members $35.00 per quarter

ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE:

Classified Section:Four lines of copy - Five words per lineMembers $5.00 per quarterNon Members $10.00 per quarter

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Only if we can learn to work together will we realize our strength in numbers.

Free your mind and think. Figment Ranch

Documents

ALSA Showring Fall 2013