Today I got to help do alpaca shearing. it was pretty exciting. Before today the only time I've ever interacted with an alpaca was by just looking at them...from a safe distance...with a tall fence between us. Today I was upclose and personal!
First we had to get the alpaca onto the tipping table (which is exactly what it sounds like: a table that tips) I stood behind the table and tipped it over, grabbing the alpacas hips as we eased them onto the table. Ease might not be the best word. There was a lot of flailing and kicking. We basically slammed those alpacas on that table and while I practically layed on top of them 3 other people were tying down their legs and head. I thought about how I would be very disturbed if this is how things went right before I went under for surgery in a hospital...
Then 2 people went to work with large scissors and shears, cutting away all the wool from the alpaca. During this time I pressed against the alpacas back and stroked her neck, letting her know that everything was going to be ok! I'm a nice person like that. When the side started to get sheared my job was to grab all the wool coming off, hug it to me and not let any drop on the floor.
My first attempt was an epic fail.
But I got better! Once one side was done we had to flip over the alpaca and do the other side. Did you know that alpacas have really sharp toe nails...those things could slice you right open!
You know how poodles who are pampered look? Well that's what alpacas look like when all their wool has been taken off, really tall poodles. When we finished 2 alpacas I looked down at myself to discover I was now more hairy then the alpacas themselves!
