Monday, January 9, 2012

What About Thelma?

We all miss Louise. Her personality was so huge it filled up the barn, without her it seems empty. Nobody misses her more than Thelma, though. Camelids are herd animals, so their instinct is to stay with the herd. Some llamas can live alone as guard animals and get along just fine. Thelma is not one of those llamas. She is a follower, not a leader. She’s not at all independent.

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Popcorn is doing her best to try to keep Thelma company, but it’s not working.

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Thelma continues to stare off into the pasture where the alpacas are. She hums softly, expressing her stress at being left behind.  They see each other over a half-wall inside the barn, too, but it’s not the same as being with each other. We can’t let her join them because, of course, we don’t want babies (alpacas and llamas can breed and create a viable offspring, but that would be bad).

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So we are working on getting Thelma a friend; possibly an old friend, one from the same ranch they were rescued from. As hard as it is for me to open my heart once again to a new animal, I can’t bear to watch Thelma be sad either.  The only other option would be to find Thelma a home somewhere else where there are llamas. Not exactly an easy thing to do.

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10 comments:

Donna OShaughnessy said...

SO sad about your Louise. Have you though of a miniature donkey.? At first they can be a bit mean towrds other animals but in a couple days when they become THEIRS to guard and protect they are awesome. They hate coyotes amd keep them far away as well. In the meantime...Louise was so blessed to have you in your life

Anonymous said...

Darling Thelma needs a friend. Your heart will open the minute a new friend sets foot in her pen. :-)) I'm still soooo sorry about Louise.

Nancy K. said...

Surely you must be mistaken?
Everyone knows that animals have no FEELINGS!

;-)

I would be like you and want to get Thelma a new friend ASAP.

Who knows? It might even help soothe more heart's than just Thelma's...

Christine said...

Oh I know, Nancy. People who say that have never spent much time with animals have they?

Mad about Craft said...

Good luck with your search for a friend.

You will continue to miss Louise and the way she died will stay with you for a while but Thelma's new friend also needs your love and care. There are too many animals in this world that are not cared for.

Anonymous said...

Sending you and Thelma hugs -- hope you can find a friend for her soon.

Jean - MN

Karen Anne said...

That's such a good idea. I think Louise would want Thelma not to be without a friend too.

Danni said...

I was afraid to ask how Thelma was doing..I'm so glad you're considering a new friend for her. You may feel right now that it will be hard to open your heart again, but it will be impossible for you not to once you see the new furry friend meant for your farm. :-)

goatgirl said...

Please put Thelma on a plane and fly her out to Washington. Willow will love having her.
What? Too expensive? Darn.

Crazy Lady with purple fingers said...

I am sure someone has a llama that they would love to give you for a friend for Thelma, it would be great if you found one from the herd Thelma was from as they do remember their buddies.