New in the neighborhood

Alpacas! And aren’t they cute? They recently showed up at a small farm that sold last year. I’d feared that the farm might become a new subdivision but that hasn’t happened. The old farmhouse got a new coat of paint this year – a very good sign – and then came a trio of these cinnamon colored cuties.

They’re certainly pretty animals.

And they’re entertaining. This one obliged when I suggested “roll over!” (Not really. Maybe when I get to know them better.)

At a distance these well groomed guys remind me of standard poodles with long necks.

Timmy again

Ready or not, here’s more chinchilla cuteness, compliments of Timmy, the chinchilla I’ve been caring for whilst his people have been away. Yesterday, when I arrived, I awakened his little chinchness.

I’d fed him earlier the day before so according to his stomach my arrival was probably overdue. He scurried out to watch while I did the more boring stuff like replenish his ordinary food.

It’s the treats he’s looking for and yesterday he almost climbed my leg begging. He’s either gotten used to me or I’ve succeeded in spoiling him rotten.

He’s no Labrador retriever like my Dear Dog but he’s definitely got his cute going.

My ward

Our friends/neighbors are gone visiting family, leaving their chinchilla, Timmy, in need of care. I’d never seen a chinchilla before, much less been responsible for one. But I’ve never let details like that stop me before.

He’s cute. His fur is as soft as a cat’s, though shorter, and very, very dense. His regular diet is a chinchilla food mix and timothy hay. But his treats are what brings him scurrying to say hello. Dried fruit, sunflower seeds, an almond. That’s how you make friends with a chinchilla.

I took this shot with my phone and Timmy doesn’t stay still. I may try another portrait with my camera to see if I can capture him better.