Goodbye, Sweet Leah. Today, our oldest alpaca went to join her mother, Tori, in green pastures. We noticed some weight loss and possible anemia about a month ago, and we began the process of diagnostic tests. Two weeks ago, an abdominal ultrasound revealed liver cancer. We were able to give Leah two pleasant final weeks, with lots of tours and grazing, in lovely cooler weather. Yesterday, she finally let us know she was ready to leave us.
Leah lived on our farm for 14 of her 18 years, and she was always sweet and gentle, happily joining tours in hopes of carrot treats. She was one of our alpacas that didn’t seem to mind being pet, so she was very popular with visitors. One special visitor and tour stands out in my mind. In the early summer of 2020, a grandmother and mother brought their 2-week-old daughter for a farm visit! To my knowledge, she was the youngest child to ever visit, and she napped for the first part of the tour in her stroller, but she woke up for the part of the tour with the female alpacas. Leah went over to her and peered down into the stroller. The little girl started to smile and then laugh! The interaction went on for about 30 seconds! I couldn’t believe it was an actual laugh from a baby so young, but the mother assured me that it was. This family came back a year later and shared with me that Leah gave their daughter her very first of many laughs! What a lovely memory from a very special alpaca who will be missed so much! Rest In Peace, Leah. ❤️
