The poop on this page was
last scooped on: 6/16/09
Page design, photos, and written content by Gail Berk. Wallpaper: Tawny's Fleece. Materials credit: Mandy Steward. © Gail Berk 2008-2009. All rights reserved. |
Chapter 36: Spit Faced Seems there was a disagreement before I left today. I don't know what brought it on but Bucky sure got the spit thrown at him. The princess clearly thought he crossed some line. I watched as I had the camera in my hand, not thinking to use it till most of the disagreement was over. She spat several times while he just stood there and took it. He either thought he deserved it or he was dumbfounded by her princess behavior. But then...oh yeah, he spit back. And he then mounted her. Not in a sexual way (that I know of) but dominance...over the shoulder. At least that's my best guess. And then I remembered the camera. She spat some more. He gagged and coughed like I remember doing as a kid when I had to eat liver. Nasty stuff. If you look closely at Bucky's closeup below you can see the spit all over his poor face. (Then think of poor me.) And by the way, the spit is not as we know it. Remember, it's from the bowels of their stomachs so it's partially digested hay and grass pieces. Tawny walked off while Bucky continued gagging. I'd intended to take some more photos before all this but now neither would close their mouths, as seen in the photos below. Must be either it tastes awful (one would think) or they can't smell it with their mouths open. What a pair of faces. Now why would they do that? That's so weird. |
Click the picture for a larger view. |
Click the picture for a larger view. |
Chapter 37: Towel Training Tawny's turn to be towel trained. She was exceptional the two days we did this. No reason we can't progress to real saddle training now. Bucky, you see, was supervising. He was probably hoping the llama herd would gawk at her like they did when he went through this. Alas poor Bucky, it seems they all think it was only odd training when he wore the towel. Spitting is virtually gone. Could be that the ammo in my pocket can be detected. Watered down vinegar is still pretty potent. But I take no chances. If even this is why she's not spitting, it should become a habit whereby she refrains. |
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Chapter 38: Saddle Training Though I placed the saddle on Tawny slowly and gently it was a little spookier to her than I expected. Quite different that a measly lightweight towel. She cranked her head waaay around to look at the thing on her back as I was cinching up. And by the way, proudly I must say, I reached under her for the cinches with my bare hands. You'll recall for several months I'd been a little concerned that Bucky might kick me when reaching under there, particularly the back cinch and particularly because he'd been gelded in the very time proximity I was pack training him. I was afraid he'd worry that I was gonna steal a little something else while I was under there. Of course with Tawny I'm not |
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Click the picture for a larger view. |
Now this is Bucky's own fault. He's spit-faced again. He kept following us, too closely I might add, while I was leading Tawny around with the saddle on. I could see her looking at him out of the corner of her eye so may as well end the training and let her get away from him. Uh, no need for that. That's what spit is for. Can't blame a girl for wacking him one. I tried to warn him. Interesting how he just freezes until she's done. It appears comparable to a dog's submissive belly-up. I have to laugh because he acts like he knows he deserves it. Upon inquiry, I was informed that Bucky is still King of the Hay so this isn't about Tawny climbing the social ladder. She's just doing her girly thing...because he's doing his boy thing. Herd dynamics they call this. Words just cannot |
describe it, I'll attest, so we'll let Bucky show you what it's like to be on the receiving end. Better him than me. |
Chapter 39: Bucky Has A New Handler My daughter Kara came for Thanksgiving and was anxious to see the llamas for the first time. She, too, is a dog trainer but was a bit leery of these big critters. I counseled her on Bucky hissy fits and then we then took both Tawny and Bucky on the usual walkabout path together. And don't ya know, he sang true with his cow-critter hissy fit. Kara handled herself like a pro. It would seem that the gene has been passed on, she is her mother's daughter. The snow is digital. It doesn't snow here in this area of California. I was just having fun with a cold photo. |
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Chapter 42: Do-Overs It's just way too cold to actually put my butt in gear and get on over there to see my llama loves. So instead, right here where it's warm, I'll just fiddle around with some pictures of them I already had from previous photo ops. Here's some love shots. |
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And a do-over of a layout in Chapter 26. We are really quite a few chapters and months beyond this behavior. She is still spitting because she doesn't want to be haltered, but at least not at me. |
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Chapter 40: He Tries His Luck With Tawny And before the holidays were over my son, too, came for a visit. Doesn't look like he's going to walk in my footsteps when it comes to animals. And in her defense, Tawny did not even think of spitting at him. He'd just heard the rumor. |
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worried about her considering something like that so I was much more at ease. |
Chapter 41: Tawny Has A New Attitude Finally, it looks like we're past the spitting. And from the looks of it here, I can probably link them together in a real packing string now. |
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Chapter 45: Mother-in-law comes to the farm. Well at least she looks like she's having a good time I think. Leave it to Bucky to win over a skeptic human. |
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Click the picture for a larger view. |
Chapter 43: New Halter and Retraining Halter training had to take a backseat to nada-spit training. Now that the spitting is relatively under control it was time to focus on the halter. It's been awhile since I'd done anything with leadwork and I happened to notice now that the halter was fitting too snugly and making a halter indention on the bridge of her nose. I've mentioned before, leaving the halter on all the time is not good. So I quickly removed the halter and made a larger size purchase. While in wait for this new halter there wasn't much I could do and I expected the halter training to be much more difficult now that she's had face-freedom. Imagine my surprise when she did not put up a bit of a fight when I got the new halter. Mind |
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So while we're here at the Farm, let's take a look at the nudist camp. Yeah, they just got a haircut. Lucky Tammie, look at all that fleece she has to spin now. Beautiful variety. Coulda had 'em; chose the spitter. Tawny will look like that soon. I don't think Bucky will ever need a shearing again. He said thank you. |
you there was a lot of fussing with the new one to get all the buckles adjusted for her face. Now it's adjusted so I won't have to repeat the fussing. |
Chapter 44: Tables are turned on the photographer. My husband Bob, usually the photographer, offers Bucky and Tawny some treats. He really came out to the farm with me to see the neked llamas. |
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