Gilligan's Tale

You bought me one day and took me from my home,  I thought to love and keep me.  I tried to be a good boy, I hummed, and I let you pet me. Then one day you just didn't want me anymore.  You turned me loose and I ran aground for days with no food, no water, and no shade, in the hot humidity of July.  you didn't even come looking for me.  I ran and ran.  I was scared and didn't  understand what was happening.  People kept chasing me,  yelling at me,  throwing things at me,  trying to catch me.

I found some shade trees and tried to eat and rest. The dog just kept barking I didn't want to hurt it, I just wanted it to stop barking and chasing me. The dogs human got a gun and was going to shoot me.

Some people from animal control came to where I was. they tried to catch me but I was scared they would hurt me so I kept running and dodging them. It was so hot.   Finally I saw You, my human, that I thought loved and cared for me.  You came after me on a four-wheeler. You yelled and chased me back home. Then you gave me to those animal control people. You gave the papers saying I wasn't yours anymore. I don't know what I did; I don't know why you don't want me anymore. I don't understand what I did to change your mind about loving me? Was I bad? Did I eat too much? Was I too much trouble?

The animal control people gave me nice cool water to drink, hay to eat and a place to rest. I was so scared and hot. I could hardly breathe after all that running. They talked nice to me. They put electric in the barn so I could have a fan. They called some people who helped to find me a new home. They even gave me a new name "Gilligan," because I was rescued off my island of llama loneliness.

I don't understand why you,  don't want me any more...but in my new home I'm going to be the best llama I can. I'll try not to eat too much, be too much trouble, and I'll be good. I hope this new home will be my last one.  I just want to be loved,  cool, f ed,  and safe.

Thanks to a very concerned and very wonderful animal control person this llama boy is going to have a good home and life. And this unit of animal control is now prepared to deal with a loose, abandoned or rescued llama.

The story you just read is a true incident. The names and places have been left out for obvious reasons.  More and more stories like this are happening and will continue to happen until, we as a community of llama owners takes on the role of educators and advocates for llamas.

Llamas are being sold at stock auctions, trade days, and flea markets. Many of these llamas are not healthy, not registered or have false papers. Some are being sold with saddles for riding. Some are being sold for "family pets" at just a few months old,  saying they are just like your family dog, with no information shared at all on how to properly care for the llama. At some stock sales you can buy a llama for $75.00 or $100.00, no training, no information. Is this what we want to happen to our loveable llamas? Is this where we want our market to go?

What can you do as a responsible owner or breeder to make sure this doesn't happen. Contact your local authorities, farm bureaus, agricultural agencies, animal control, give them information on the care and handling of llamas. Offer to be a contact person for llama information or help in your area.

Llamas can't talk for themselves, are you going to continue to be silent and let more get hurt or killed just because an owner changed his mind? Take a stand and love ALL llamas.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!! We all need to work together for the common good of llamas.

Mitzi Ross
Good News Llamas