And Then There Were None

Farm animals, that is.

Martin the alpaca has headed to his new home on Vancouver Island. For those unfamiliar with his story, he was bought by a former tenant on this property and then abandoned six months later. A series of subsequent tenants continued his neglect over the next six years, and the breeder who lived next door stood by and did nothing. Martin's only shelter was a tree, his only food the pasture, with an occasional bale of hay tossed his way in winter if a tenant was so inclined.

I have been looking after him for the past three years, and asked the landlord to sign him over to me. Although I couldn't offer him a forever home (I can't afford acreage on my pension), I can make sure he is never abandoned or neglected again.

And so I found him the perfect home. You can read more about it here. In a nutshell, he will be integrated into a herd of alpacas on eleven beautiful acres on Vancouver Island, cared for by a woman who offers a home to many critters and who clearly loves the animals in her care.

Today, his new mama came to pick him up in her van, and with very little fuss or stress he accepted his halter, was led to the van, climbed in (with a little encouragement) and settled down for the ride. Of course, it was pouring rain - I wonder if wet alpaca in a car smells as bad as wet dog???

Martin waits for his ride

Settling down for the long journey home

Martin is going to be "Uncle Martin" to four young alpacas for a week or so, and then integrated into the full herd at the shearing next week. And I will be there to witness it - I have been invited to assist with the shearing and the sorting of the fibre.

And that leads to one other happy note to this story. For a couple of years I volunteered many, many hours a week at a multi-species sanctuary. It was one of the highlights of my life - I felt like I had found my true purpose, my raison d'etre. I loved the animals deeply and the work was the most fulfilling I had ever done. When, for reasons I won't get into here, I was no longer welcome there I was devastated. And even though I have since enjoyed fostering piggies and looking after Martin, and I love my dogs and cat, I have missed that multi-species experience, that farm life extraordinaire.

And so I will be volunteering at Martin's new home, helping with goats and sheep and dogs and ducks and (of course) alpacas and numerous other critters, many of which are rescues.

I feel like both Martin and I are "going home".