No prob Llama

DOGS, LLAMAS, THEN CATS

People who keep llamas as pets will readily offer you any number of reasons why they love them: Llamas are quiet, they’re gentle and affectionate, they don’t take a lot of work to maintain and, for outdoor animals, they don’t smell bad.

But it’s more than that. Look at a llama and it’ll gaze back sympathetically with those huge, beguiling eyes, ears perked up, looking like it understands you and really cares about your problems.

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Llamas are like dogs: they are your friend, they will steal your heart. They love human contact, like hugging their faces, lifting their feet and fluffing the fur on their haunches. They are easily trained, will walk on a lead and behave nicely. Most people start with two or three, since llamas are sociable and don't like to live alone. Alpacas on the other hand, their smaller cousin, are more like sheep. They’re not going to play with you, not going to be your friend.

Llama breeders have been known to pay as much as $30,000 for a top-quality male, but a regular pet llama can be had for less than $1000. They eat hay, grass, minerals and grain and cost about the same to feed as big dogs. And given the demand for llama fiber, which is as highly prized by knitters as alpaca, you might be able to earn some of that back.

Llamas are strictly outdoor animals, and males must be kept separate from females, otherwise they will mate nonstop. And those stories about spitting are exaggerated: Llamas may spit at other llamas to establish social hierarchies, but unless threatened, they rarely spit at people. In other matters, however, they are very restrained. Owners must check them carefully to see if they are hurt or sick, because llamas are so stoic they seldom complain. If they don’t have health problems, they can live for decades.

Llamas are intelligent, very curious and are great listeners. They're calm and enjoyable to be around, you can tell them all your secrets and problems. But that doesn't mean they don't make noise. All llamas hum; in particular, mothers hum to their babies, which hum back. It's part of the bonding process. They recognize each other by the hum. Most Llama owners treat them like members of the family: petted, shampooed and groomed, shuttled to llama shows and trotted out to schools, hospitals and nursing homes, where they spread their special brand of Zen.

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Nothing is Trivial

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In seven Breaths