Thursday 1 May 2014

Henrietta's Fan Club

She really is a character, Henrietta.  We are all learning about each other.  We were rightfully cautious around her at first.  Now we understand that although she may be posturing when she comes boldly running up and snorts, she's having fun too.  She's young at three.  Llama's reach maturity around this age and live to be over twenty years of age.  And this girl has a sense of humour.



Most of the time she just ignores Beau dog.  She has observed me trying to get Beau to stay away from the sheep and often to just get out of the paddock.  The other day, Henrietta playfully went after him.  She rounded him up - the Border Collie rounded up by the black and white llama!  She carefully herded him over to the fence where he sneaks in underneath.  He stayed out.

She likes to nuzzle your face.  At first this was quite disconcerting as you wondered if she was coming in to take a nip or what.  Just like we like to stroke her face she wants to stroke ours with her muzzle.  Her muzzle is very soft; as soft as it looks.

We recently met a couple who live up the road.  She asked if we had a cow.  After a moment I replied, "Ah, no, that is the Holstein llama named Henrietta!"

Cars driving by on the road stop and stare at Henrietta and Sheba, especially when they are at the roadside fence.  Henrietta just stares back at them.  It makes one wonder who is the tourist in this situation, who is staring at who.

Members of Henrietta's fan club gave us a baby monitor.  This allows us to listen in at the barn, which may indicate if someone is lambing....

The other day, hubby observed a car stop on the road.  Some young people got out of the car and posed near the fence in front of Henrietta while someone in the car took photos.  I wonder if they asked for her autograph.

I am reminded of daughter's experiences in China.  Tall, blond and blue-eyed she often became the attraction when sightseeing as the natives formed a line to have their photo taken with her. I think Henrietta would have enjoyed this much more than daughter did!

I think we should post a sign that states "Guard animals at work".  Even though the purpose of the llamas is to guard the sheep from coyotes they guard in general.  One day a service man was leaving and I walked with him out to his truck.  He hadn't been here very long.  Across the field Henrietta was staring back at the newly arrived vehicle, upright and alert and all of the sheep were behind her.  It was a perfect picture of the guardian at work.


Henrietta has also performed a greeting function.  

If she's at the barn she will come over to the fence and snort at newly arrived guests.  When new persons go to the fence she will gladly give them a good going over.  She will posture, growing tall and upright, stick her nose up in the air and snort loudly.  She will cross the path, barring their way.



She loves hubby.  She came roaring across the field last night when she saw him.  I get no such greeting. 

He must hum a different tune than I.  Llama's hum; say "Hmmm" at a high octave and you just about have it.  Henrietta and Sheba hum in conversation with each other - similar to when they snort and spit at each other in conversation but with a much kinder message attached.  So, hubby must have a good hum happening that Henrietta finds most desirable.  Either that or he lines his pockets with carrots more often than I.  The advanced hum sounds like a nicker or even a purr.  It really is quite sweet.

Sheba remains in the background.  She appears aloof as only a llama - or camelid - can with their tall neck and regal gestures.  And when they are alert and in guardian mode the head goes up with the nose royally upward accentuating the snooty impression they are trying to impose.  Sheba will come forward for corn or the compost bucket.  Henrietta is often quick to push her away.  Henrietta is like a spoiled princess who must be first for everything.  Sheba has hummed for us and even nickered however she remains backstage. 

The fan club really is all about Henrietta - the photogenic princess-holstein-border collie-coloured llama!


No comments:

Post a Comment