I finally saw an alpaca at the zoo a couple weeks ago--they're neat! :)
About five years ago Bob went to a horse auction and came home with two Llamas that he felt sorry for and bought. They were apparently just thrown in with the horses in a pen and were being traumatized.
Kay couldn't believe it... I said "if Bob takes his trailer with him to the sale when he isn't even ~shopping~ for a horse, be prepared for anything."
He told her that "Some of them hippies are now using llamas on trail as a pack animal, and the horses need to get accustomed to them so they won't spook." He kept them for a few years. Just this last year or so he gave them to a llama rescue place he found. Now they have AlPacas! Next week: The great emu deal....