Tuesday 28 February 2012

Looking at the bigger picture.

Sue and I have been talking again, I know, in a marriage it can be dangerous, but still, we have been and gone and had another conversation.

You may remember a previous blog posting whereby I was facing extreme danger and yet was still thinking about whether to take a pregnant female to the Futurity next month. The female in question was Reeya, at the time of the show she would be 8 and a half months pregnant. We discussed it and ultimately I entered her into the show.
Since then it has been gnawing away at me day and night. Was it the right decision? Was it in her best interests or mine? Obviously it is not the ideal way for her to spend time in the last three months of her pregnancy. Today, after another conversation, that decision has been reversed. It is as if a great weight has lifted. I knew deep down that it was the wrong thing to do for Reeya. She is carrying precious cargo, a Qjori cria and everything must be done to ensure its safe arrival here on planet earth.

But in some way I feel that I must try and justify why I wanted to take beautiful Reeya to the Futurity.
This afternoon we took some fleece shots and once you see them you may understand why, for a few days, I put the search for glory ahead of her welfare. She would probably have coped without a problem, she is a lovely calm girl, but, if anything had happened I would never have forgiven myself.


Nice eh? 


So the rest of the team have a lot to live up to and today we have been out halter training again.
Angus and Woody are coming along marvellously, they are forming a bond and it is wonderful to watch. Woody, is such a calm, quiet little fellow and Angus chats to him the whole time like he is his best friend.
In the background is Woody's father, Herr Clumpernickle.


As Reeya was removed from the show team we needed a replacement. Step forward Patou Sabrina, full sister to the mighty and awesome Ruby May who did so well for us last year. Sabrina has been a slow starter but her fleece has changed dramatically over the last couple of weeks. Not only that but she is utterly gorgeous, as is Mrs S!


The other weanling in the team is young Sultana, a lovely little brown boy who was in the wettest paddock over winter, as such the fleece on the bottom of his legs has disappeared. The rest of it though is rather lovely.


So there you have it, an update from Patouland. The shows are approaching we, collectively, are girding our loins. Bring it on people. We are nearly ready!

8 comments:

Rosemary said...

Lovely fleece - and an excellent bit of photography!
Looking forward to seeing them (with the exception of Reeya, of course) in the show ring!

Apple Vale Alpacas said...

Frustrating decision to make, but at least you'll have no regrets - nice set of photos as well.

Unknown said...

Reeya is stunning Mark, I can understand you wanting to show her off to a wider audience.

However, I am glad she is staying home, especially if it didn't feel right. She is sure to produce a stunning cria with Qjori...best let he/she wipe the floor at the Futurity next year!

Karen Oglesby - Meon Valley Alpacas said...

Definitely the right decision - give the rest of us a chance!!

Knapper Alpakka said...

Excellent fleece, Mark. Love the colour too :-)

Jenny said...

Very beautiful fleece with gorgeous brightness too! Her cria should be absolutely stunning.

Katie said...

Don't tell George that Angus has a new best friend!!

Zanzibah Alpacas said...

Right Decision...indeed ! Every thing comes to he who waits !!.....Jayne