I could see an alpaca replacing a dog as your backyard pet. They are easy on the grass, quiet (no barking at 11 pm), nice to look at, a conversation piece that won't jump on guests, and respects your personal space. The last one being important to someone getting older (me) who doesn't apprieciate being taken out at the knees.
I bought Z the other night because I missed having a llama that I could lead around and show the kids at On the Farm Day in kindergarten. Z is an ex-show alpaca so he had the leading part down. I didn't know how he would react to three classes of children but he didn't bat an eye at that either.
I thought the kids would be thrilled to see an alpaca, especially one as pretty as Z, in a Dr. Seuss sort of way, and while all the adults were crazy about him, they were pretty much ho hum.
They liked the bunny best.
Photo by Gail
