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 A dog adopted us in 2010 -- showed up and wouldn't leave. She has been
one of many that have been dumped near here over time by irresponsible owners
that drive the several miles out of town and just leave them abandoned next to
the road to fend for themselves. Most we find homes for, but not this
one. Named April, she looks like a Maremma sheepdog and Labrador Retriever
mix but of course her
pedigree is unknown. At this time she was still a pup but
had just about reached full size. After being here long enough for the llamas
to learn she was resident, to keep herself entertained April took to "herding"
the llamas, which they adamantly refused to do. When April got playful the
female llamas would instead chase her out of the field but with April and the
llamas equally bored it turned into a game. April would dart into a field and
run around them, and llamas and dog would take turns chasing each other.
Marley O'Joy, a llama in the gelding
field, would at times dance with April -- him pronking and both of them leaping and
spinning around -- they seemed to be
having great fun. Sometimes April would run around with a stick as a toy while
playing with the llamas.
Well, things took a turn when she slipped into King Asher's field for the first
time to play -- who's our large intact male -- a field which he has all to himself.
Asher had observed the play with the other llamas over a couple weeks time.
He cornered her near the fence opposite the gate, standing about 15' from the
dog, whereupon
Asher picked up a stick -- actually more of a log, about 2+ feet long and 3" in
diameter. He first shook it like a dog, then swinging it side to side like a
baseball
bat he stepped towards April. Seeing this she got real scared and ran. She was
accustomed to the other llamas chasing after her only half-heartedly in play at
a relaxed pace for short distances but this time Asher was right behind her and
was relentless. In a panic, April accelerated to full speed doing all she could to
evade. Asher just loped along effortlessly with his head low to the ground about
two feet from her butt, log in mouth. This was fun! Running laps around the field April ricochet off the gate
a couple times as she passed by hoping it would spring open so she could make
her escape, to no avail. I then walked over and cracked it open so she could
dart out during her next pass. Asher's fun was sadly cut short. April hasn't
wanted to play those games with the llamas any more.
Now I often see April restraining her exuberance just laying next to one of
the llamas in the field when they are cushed or grazing, and our fence jumper,
Pharaoh, often wanders about outside of the
pastures and April usually accompanies him wherever he goes. They just hang out
together feeling the need for company and I've seen the two of them playing
together with Pharaoh doing happy dances and April bounding along with him.
They all get bored at times and the hanging out turns into play, but it's now
more on the llama's terms. |
