Mirage Alpacas, 232 Lempster Mountain Road in Washington, New Hampshire, is one of the most fascinating farms I have ever visited. Owners Audrey and Bill Rhoades have devoted their lives to raising one or more of the following animals: Miniature Sicilian donkeys, Columbia sheep, Australian Shepherds, Angora goats and, of course, beautiful alpacas.

Audrey always wanted to be a veterinarian, but many factors prevented her from pursuing her dream. But, philosophically, she says, "I am the next best thing, a farmer working daily with animal care, breeding, purchasing and development. I watch carefully and see what fits and who works well. I am particular about how my 'girls' are raised and who they breed with." In short, she feels just as any mom would about her young. "I have always been raising something ever since I can remember," Audrey reflects. She started raising swine 26 years ago but, through the years, her interests shifted to her current barnyard "critters." She has a great deal of passion for the animals reflected in the fact that she sees them as very individual and special creatures.

Each animal has a special name obtained from friends, children, visitors, family members or remarkable events. For instance, "Wedding Bell" was named because she was born on the morning of a friend's wedding, and "Patriot" was born on the Fourth of July. Each animal is recognized and loved for its individual character.

Audrey has been a 4-H leader for many years, including the 4-H leader in her county. The more questions children asked, the more information she sought to answer their questions. She has a deep passion to help people pick structurally correct animals noting that, " if you show an animal but don't place first, you have done your best if the animal that placed higher than yours is a finer animal. Be happy for your placement. One learns from this experience and how to set the goal of placing first by comparison." This is how she taught her 4-H'ers to compete over the years at the fairs. "In the end, it is always the judges' opinion on who will place first," she notes.

Upon arriving at the farm we were greeted by "Duckey," Mirage Alpaca's livestock manager, a very bubbly and jovial young woman who has deep love and compassion for each of the animals. "Sometimes we don't have enough time to sweep the floor in the barn, but everyone gets a pet and a love," she says, exuding both love for her job and the animals.

My magical afternoon on the farm began when Duckey led us, chattering with excitement, to the fenced-in area where the Miniature Sicilian donkeys live. I was curious about the difference between a donkey and a burro. "Well, that is a good question for Audrey to answer," responed Duckey. "There is really no difference; it is more the area of the country that you are from" stated Audrey as she laughed. These donkeys are less than 36 inches tall and are very loving "critters." Many were pregnant or had just given birth. Pregnant for 12 months, they are quite full and heavy by the time their delivery is near.

I had fun as I got to meet and greet "Scorch," the male stud; Andrea, less than 30 inches tall; and "Mona Lisa," with her beautiful donkey face and her new foal, "Heidi." Heidi was seven days old and was bucking or "rodeoing" around the yard while jumping and whinnying! They also have a couple of new males that they have added to the herd. Patriot, also known as "The Spotted Ass," said with a thick British accent, and "Tee Toe," Patriot's gelding roommate are new additions. As the others were nuzzling up to me, "KT" nudged me from behind, just saying hello and letting me know of her presence. I learned that she was about to deliver and might even foal while I was there but, alas, "Lindsey" was born that evening after I left.

Audrey also raises Columbia sheep, Ramboullets, and natural colored Merino sheep. Sheep have a five-month gestation and usually lamb in the spring and, depending on the breed, are either sheared for their wool and/or marketed for USDA lamb. Developed by the USDA in 1929, Columbia sheep are the largest white-faced breed in the world and were bred specifically to grow in range conditions. They produce more pounds of meat and wool raised on grass per sheep than any other sheep in the world. "Kitty" and "Kathy" posed for me and then the whole crew wanted to immediately go outside, bleating all the way. I fell in love waling into the barnyard.

Alpacas greeted us at the gate, curious about the voices they could hear and, being very sociable animals, they stood there waiting for us. There were brown ones, black ones, white ones and every color in between with all kinds of "hairdos." There are a little over a hundred alpacas on the farm at any given time, depending on breeding needs and boarding and herd management.

Audrey went to the barn and starting whistling, saying, "Come on out girls, we have company!" As they all thundered out to greet us, I felt as if I was 5 years old, giggling and oohing and ahing at each one of them. I was amazed at their facial expressions. It looked as though they were smiling!

There was "Emma" with her afro hair, and "Mima" with her sleek, beautiful black hair. And, of course, who could forget "Ursula," "Ebcia," "Damona," "Versa," "Gabriella," "Suse," "Mogul," "Power Play," "Hamlet," "Gwendolyn," "Gee Too," "Lady Marquia," "Blanca," "Annie Iva," "Champagne," "Remembrance," "Phanta," "Trudy" and "Oui Bea," who is Duckey's favorite. "She loves to be touched and is very sweet as she follows me everywhere around the farm when she can. She is always humming-like purring," says Duckey.

Alpacas are known as the sheep of the Andes and are different from llamas in many ways, primarily because they are not beasts of burden but are raised for their fiber (fur) and for meat. They are one-third to one-half the size of llamas. In South America, the llama is considered the more valuable animal, which is also reflected in our national market. Llama fiber and guard hair is much thicker, whereas alpacas' fur is soft and consistent with beautiful colors. Incan royalty garments were made from alpaca fiber as llamas were considered the common man's animal. The fiber from the alpaca is five to seven times warmer than sheep wool and has a high tensile strength.

Alpacas, like miniature donkeys, love to get "dusted," so they roll around in the dirt, kicking into the air. Alpacas have soft feet, rather like oblong pads with a single toenail protruding from the front of their foot. They are earth friendly, not causing a lot of earth damage and erosion with their footfalls.

Alpacas can live as long as 25 years and develop a natural pecking order within the herd; they respect each other's places. Stories about their spitting reflect that, in general, they have to be really upset to evoke this response. If they are happy and content, they will not spit. They are the most curious of animals, watching your every move with deep brown eyes that reflect love and understanding. I was amazed at this, by the way, as I thought they would spit and be obnoxious. Not so! Audrey got an alpaca who was constantly spitting at its former farm manager. "Spitting is usually an indicator that there's a personality conflict," says Duckey. "She has been great since she arrived here." And, indeed, has not spat once!

"When alpacas first came to this country," says Audrey, "they were a bit freaked out to see trees and they needed to adapt to rustling leaves and moving branches. The poor things had no idea what these were since this is not a natural habitat for them. They are used to dirt and dust and barren landscape."

Alpacas are very friendly and social creatures. "When a new adult arrives on the farm, all of the others go over to the gate, squeezing together like sardines along the fence, to greet the new arrival. The alpaca coming in gets excited. It is like an instant recognition of the species," says Audrey. "It really amazes me. You can see the new alpaca relax and it makes their two week quarantine a little less frantic by knowing that they will be joining the others shortly." Likewise, when there is a birth, all of the 'aunties' go over to the newly arrived crias, or baby alpaca, as they go over individually to congratulate the mother and greet the new one, introducing themselves energetically and acknowledging their arrival with an individual welcome as if to say "you are part of this family and I live here too."

Audrey started raising alpacas in 1995 when she was raising fiber for a large number of spinners. "It became an extension of my fiber market and it was a good investment too. Alpacas are the world's finest livestock investment. If a businessman wanted a good investment, this would be the best place for it. They can be insured for their full mortality and are a worth while pursuit." Currently the US investment in alpacas is in livestock and as yet not in consumption. Alpacas taste as you season them. Their meat is red like beef and it is very high in protein as they consume a low protein diet. The meat is very lean. Audrey also owns a herd of 40 Natural Colored and White Registered Angora goats that are out to pasture in Chichester, New Hampshire, for the summer. However, Audrey states that they will be present for the Wool Arts Tour in October.

When it comes to her Australian Shepherd dogs, Audrey only lets the puppies go to families with working farms. "These dogs are going to be part of the family and they are innate workers. They guard their packs and flocks as family. This is their designated job. They thrive in this environment rather than being a house pet." One day, Duckey was in a rush to leave and forgot her 'Aussie' at Audrey's. "I could not believe "Gidge's'" response. She sat here and looked at me, then looked up the road, and then looked back at me, as if to say, what the heck, did she forget me? Can you believe this?"

Audrey shows much love for her animals and the people in her life. Duckey has been a big part of this for many years. Says Audrey, "During the month of October, I want to take Duckey with me to an alpaca judging clinic in Colorado where both of us hope to become apprentice, and eventually certified, alpaca judges. Duckey is already in high demand as a sheep judge. What a wonderful 4-H'er she was and how proud I am to see her pursue and succeed with her lifelong love of a career with livestock! I love her like family!"

I ask Audrey where she sees herself in five years. "I see a logo, yarn and garment label with people asking for it by name as I continue with the reputation that, if you buy something here, we guarantee it. We only sell items that are of the highest quality. Our word-of-mouth reputation has been very good to us. We have always worked hard for what we have and we look at things long and hard before we price them. I also envision that the farm will be finished in five years," she says with a laugh!

I have a great deal of admiration for Audrey and Duckey. Their work is like mother's work, never finished but filled with love for the critters. When I asked Audrey why she does this work, she answers, "It is the love of animals. I have a deep connection with each one of them."

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This article originally appeared in SooNipi Magazine, Vol. XX No. 6 September 2002, pp. 19-23.

Joya Pinkham Clark is a free-lance writer and photographer living in Sunapee, NH. You can email her at: owlwoman@thewingsofwisdom.com or visit her web page http://thewingsofwisdom.com.

This article is posted with exclusive permission of the author. All materials including photographs and content are the exclusive property of Dr. Joya Pinkham Clark. Content and Photographs Copyright 2002 Owl Woman Publishing, PO Box 545, Sunapee, NH 03257 603.863.7703, http://thewingsofwisdom.com, owlwoman@thewingsofwisdom.com